Sunday, January 31, 2010

Time for a New Computer


I've written 110 of the 350 words required for my first Humanities discussion (due Tuesday).  I saved what I have so far on a flashdrive so I can finish it tomorrow.  I have a 2 1/2-hour break between classes on Mondays and Wednesdays that I've been using to study or complete assignments.  My laptop has Word 2003, though, and the school uses Word 2007.  The school's computer should be able to read my version, but can my computer read the 2007 version?  They have laptop stations so I could bring mine with me, but the battery life is not very long.      

As I was debating whether I should get a new one, I was flipping through the channels on TV and saw that they were selling Acer Netbooks for $380.  Really?  That cheap now?  And small enough to throw in my purse?  I'm sold.  I haven't heard a lot of good things about Acer, though.  My Toshiba laptop survived an end-over-end tumble down a flight of stairs.  I've had it at least four years and it's still working for me.  I wonder how much a Toshiba netbook goes for...

I found a 10-inch, 3-pound, Toshiba netbook for $322.84 on Amazon.  It has a battery life of 9 hours.  It sounds perfect for taking back and forth to school. 

Does anybody remember when we had to type on a typewriter?  Those little plastic strips we used to correct mistakes?  Having to "squeeze" letters to fix typos?  Having to start all over with every revision?  I don't miss that at all.  Some changes are definitely for the better!         

  

13 comments:

Vince said...

Many a time I've heard of the aerodynamic ability of the average laptop, never gymnastic though.
If you are going to buy one, try and bargain them into giving you a mac-book or kindle thing. or at least a new printer !.

Kate said...

That's so strange - I've been looking at Acer and Toshiba netbooks too!! I think the Toshiba is the way to go though - seemed to have lots of good features. I am the most un-techy person ever, I can't believe I am even having this conversation. Anyhow - let me know what you decide......

sage said...

A year ago I went back to a supercharged desk top and then replaced my laptop with an Acer... they have a version that is an inch larger than the "netbooks", so it has a full sized keyboard. THe computer is fine for what I use it for (writing) but it's slow... It is also really light, which makes it nice to travel. Yes, I remember typewriters--when through college and 1/2 of a masters degree with one!

Poppy said...

When I was little I used to type on my dad's typewriter :) and about the MS word ... 2007 has an option to save as a word 97-2003 document ... :) or you can still send it to me and I can convert it :P

buffalodick said...

Selectric-IBM, We also have one of the first transitional word processors in a closet somewhere..

gayle said...

Yes I do remember type writers.

Jen said...

@Vince: I have too many printers collecting dust already.

@Kate: I ordered the Toshiba. I'll let you know what I think when I get it. Don't forget Amazon.com shoppers are not afraid to hand out bad reviews, so that is a good site to visit even if you don't buy from them.

@sage: This netbook is supposed to have a full size keyboard.

@Poppy: When I used the computer at school it automatically had me working in "compatibility mode".

@buffalodick: I haven't heard the term "word processor" in a long time...

Jen said...

@gayle: Do you miss them?

Mike said...

Yea I used a lot of that white out in my day! LOL...I am not much of a typist!

Heather said...

When I was in high school we had a typewriting class with the old typewriters (electronic typewriters were still a new thing), I failed the class with a big fat F.

When I got my first computer (2 yrs ago), I was scared to death cause I didn't know how to type. I'm still bad, but getting better.

Good luck with your new laptop.

Jen said...

@otin: Me, too. Now I just use the backspace button. A lot.

@Heather: Now they don't even have typing class...it's called "keyboarding". They have the books at the library you can check out if you want to improve your skills...free of charge and no failing grades.

Claudya Martinez said...

When you go to save things from the school computer, you can choose to save it in an older format so that your laptop can read it.

Jen said...

@Unknown Mami: That makes it much easier. I did figure out how to do that. Thanks for the info.

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