Today the ShortWoman is proud to present the final installment of her series on the sorry state of personal computing. If you haven’t read Parts I, II, and III yet, just scroll down.
Buying a New Computer Sucks
So here I am, the proud owner of a 3 year old notebook computer. I have certain frustrations with it, and certain frustrations with the software it runs. It is probably time to consider replacing it with something new, but that opens a big kettle of fish that makes the whole place stink.
I have already decided I prefer having a notebook computer. I like being able to take it places. I am willing to accept its limitations.
That means the next big choice is “What operating system do I want to use?” I’ve been a Mac user for over a decade. Although there are certainly reasons to switch to Macs, mostly I use a Mac now because I’ve been using them for a long time. Working on a Mac is easy, primarily because I already know what I am doing. Migrating to a new Mac is about as easy as it gets. So why am I not at the Apple Store trying to decide which PowerBook suits me?
First of all, the PowerBook line has not been upgraded — not so much as a speed boost — since January. iBooks got upgraded last month, but are still relatively speed and feature poor. The fastest thing available is a 1.67 GHz G4. Even iMacs are starting at a 1.8 GHz G5, higher clock speed on a fundamentally faster processor, and that is supposed to be an entry level machine. The fastest PowerBooks are looking like minimum system requirements. It has become clear that a PowerBook update will not be forthcoming until the much ballyhooed Intel Macs arrive. Nobody knows much about these machines and how compatible they are with current software. Theoretically everything should work, but theoretically we were supposed to have G5 PowerBooks by now.
Since the MacTel machines are allegedly “fast,” it seems like a no-brainer to wait for them. But wait, it turns out that the MacTel machines will include some built in Digital Rights Management that may very well limit what users can do with their machines and data they create. This could be a big deal. The official reason for this chip is to prevent piracy of the operating system. After all, there are millions of Intel based PCs out there and Apple understandably does not want rampant downloading of the new operating system and the resultant loss of hardware sales. Besides, part of the reason “plug and play” works as promised on Macintoshes is that Apple very closely controls the hardware specification. Unfortunately, OS X for Intel has already been cracked.
The final thing that makes me wonder if it might not be time to consider a non-Macintosh is the so-called “Apple Tax.” Last Sunday’s CompUSA circular sums up the matter nicely. On one page the following notebook computers are available: an Averatec 1 Ghz Celeron M for $900; an HP Pavillion Athlon 64 3200+ for $850; a Toshiba Pentium M Centrino 1.6 GHZ for $1100; and a PowerBook 1.67 GHZ G4 for $2300. Across the page is an HP 17″ P4 for $1650. Even a nicely equipped Sony Vaio can be had for hundreds less than a comparable PowerBook. Visit any major computer manufacturer’s website and build a notebook with comparable specs to the PowerBook, or compare products at any computer discounter/retailer site; all the Windows machines are substantially less.
Windows has it’s own problems, however. The new version is coming out towards then end of next year, and since upgrading an operating system is a pain in the butt which often results in bizarre incompatibilities you never thought of, it might be a good idea to wait. Since a group announced today that they will try to block Vista’s release, it may take longer than expected. And that assumes no additional problems, viruses, or grumbling over it’s “Mac feel.”
One good thing about Windows is that there is an incredible array of software available. I no longer have to worry about cross platform compatibility because I have the dominant platform. No more Mac Ghetto, no more features that I can’t have because I have the wrong operating system. But once you get beyond the dozen or so standard applications, there is actually too much choice. There’s a lot of Windows software out there, multiple products for just about any niche you can think of. Who has the time to sort out what is best for each of the dozens of things you might need to do on your computer? Who has the money to buy and throw away suboptimal solutions?
And then, it is well known that Windows is more susceptible to a variety of malware including viruses, trojans, worms, and spyware. Some infected computers turn into Zombies under the control of nefarious crackers. As much as 80% of the spam you receive may be sent by infected computers. So, as the saying goes, we’re all in this together.
Of course, I also have the option of buying a Windows computer and immediately installing Linux. Leaving aside the question of which distribution, Linux gives me a lot of options and a lot of software being developed all the time, much of it free! It’s hard not to like free. However, Linux is not as easy to use as the other major operating systems. A Linux user must be prepared to delve into the world of command lines. It is sufficiently complicated that Amazon currently offers over 2100 books on Linux.
I’d like to think I’m clever enough to learn sufficient Linux for everyday use, but there is another problem that is not so easily overcome. Linux has even bigger cross platform compatibility issues than the Macintosh. A switch to Linux means no Intuit Quicken, no Adobe Photohop or Illustrator, no Microsoft Office, and no Microsoft Internet Explorer (which you may recall is required for many sites). The solutions to these problems are kludgy at best. Although there are packages which allow Linux users to read and create standard Office files, I am forced to wonder how compatible it really is. After all, the Macintosh version of Office — actually written by Microsoft — is only about 97% compatible.
Getting enough information to make an informed choice can be tough. The fact that Apple only has a dozen models of notebook computers simplifies matters, but things get very sticky in the Windows world. Between the number of manufacturers, the number of models they have, and the brevity of the product cycle, hundreds of things are available at any time. Once you dig into the product specifications, things get even worse. Picking a processor used to be as simple as “how much MHz can I afford”; now there are multiple manufacturers, each offering multiple architectures, multiple chipsets, and seemingly endless variety. This may seem like an unimportant thing that you only need to worry about if you are designing and building computers, but the fact is that many things depend on such minutia, especially if you are considering the Linux route.
Once you have sorted out what is actually in the box, there is the fun of figuring out what it actually costs. Does the listed price reflect rebates, sales, coupons, shipping? Nobody wants a nasty surprise at the register. I would love for states to pass a law saying that the out-the-door price printed in a sales circular must be at least as large as the “after rebates” price.
This, of course, assumes you have already made some decisions about where to buy your new computer. Your local retail computer store does have the advantage of instant gratification: you see it; you buy it; you take it home and play. But such stores cost more. They have a store to light and staff and keep clean. They also have less selection, since there is no way they can carry all of the myriad products available. The local retailer also has The Salesman. This chap may have helpful advice for you, he may also have a vested interest in steering you towards a specific product you don’t need. He may be highly knowledgeable, and he may only know what is on the short list of bullet-point specs, and that he may have wrong.
If you don’t mind waiting and like to get exactly what you want, you can usually buy top line computers directly from the manufacturer. You tell HP/Compaq or Dell or whoever exactly what you want and give them a credit card number. You can usually do this online in your underwear. A few days later, the exact computer you want shows up at your house. Pretty sweet, don’t you think?
Ah, but if you are trying to save money, there is the world of online mail order. You can find some great bargains, but only if you understand exactly what you are ordering. Selection will often be good, although you will not have as many options as ordering from the manufacturer. Many of the available machines will be overstocks, discontinued items, and that sort of thing. It’s like buying at a car dealer’s “end of season blowout;” they are still good, new-in-box computers with warranties, but they are the previous model. Sometimes the difference is nothing more than a particular chip that has been upgraded. Other available items might be “returns,” “floor units,” or “white elephants.” The specifications and warranties — if any! — should be highly scrutinized. The lions share of these are good solid computers, but you need to be aware that there may be problems. Needless to say, be sure you are comfortable with the vendor’s reputation and the shipping charges.
Buying a computer is a frustrating experience. The results will effect what you are able to get done for the next several years, at which point you will be at square one all over again.
Briefly, in closing…
The Homeland Security Secretary says “What’s the problem with giving us all your personal information? We’re just trying to keep you safe!” Meanwhile, I have no idea how giving the TSA a name, date of birth, and address would have stopped this Oklahoma man from trying to take a bomb on an airplane this morning, or what that does for the security of air cargo. For that matter, has anybody given a thought to the thousands of trucks carrying explosives?