#208720 - 11/03/2004 06:37
Re: Laptop Decision
[Re: trs24]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 27/06/1999
Posts: 7058
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Probably didn't get the backlit keyboard, since it's a refurbed unit. If it is there, it'll be a nice surprise. I never look at my keyboard anyway, so the only useful part for me would be automatic screen dimming, and I can live without that.
Ended up getting the 15" 1.0 GHz with 256MB and 60GB. Didn't come with an Airport card so I threw that in, too.
No Applecare plan yet,. I understand I can get that at any time in the first year, so I'll see how that goes and buy it if I feel nervous about years #2 and #3. My American Express card has Buyer's Assurance plan which adds an additional year, so really I'd be paying for year #3.
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#208721 - 11/03/2004 07:55
Re: Laptop Decision
[Re: tonyc]
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journeyman
Registered: 21/09/1999
Posts: 71
Loc: Denmark
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No Applecare plan yet,. I understand I can get that at any time in the first year, so I'll see how that goes
mkay. You should be aware that if you do not get AppleCare, it will be $50 per support call, even if it's because the machine is broken and you need to get it fixed under warranty. This should be illegal in some way.
Read more here:
http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=512
Scroll down past the comic and read the left (grey) rant. The interesting stuff starts at paragraph 10.
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#00182, 10GB, Amber, Denmark, Peugeot 206, Rebuilding my stereo - great things to come
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#208722 - 11/03/2004 09:12
Re: Laptop Decision
[Re: tonyc]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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as long as it's got a bash prompt, I should do okay. Even better, you can easily get a zsh prompt.
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Bitt Faulk
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#208723 - 11/03/2004 09:16
Re: Laptop Decision
[Re: Yonzie]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 27/06/1999
Posts: 7058
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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it will be $50 per support call, even if it's because the machine is broken and you need to get it fixed under warranty. Wow, that is a total money grab. Of course I hope I never have to deal with such a situation, but $50 just to send your machine back after the 90 day period is ludicrous.
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#208724 - 11/03/2004 09:45
Re: Laptop Decision
[Re: tonyc]
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journeyman
Registered: 21/09/1999
Posts: 71
Loc: Denmark
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It is.
At least, they *are* solid machines.
Since you probably want the AppleCare plan in the future, I don't see it as being a real problem for you.
_________________________
#00182, 10GB, Amber, Denmark, Peugeot 206, Rebuilding my stereo - great things to come
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#208725 - 11/03/2004 10:14
Re: Laptop Decision
[Re: tonyc]
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old hand
Registered: 20/03/2002
Posts: 729
Loc: Palo Alto, CA
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I never look at my keyboard anyway, so the only useful part for me would be automatic screen dimming, and I can live without that. I'm not a looker either - but I sure have a hard time finding home row in the dark! 
Yeah, those features do border on novelty, but after using my new PB and then going back to my old Ti one night in the dark, I was blinded by the light of the screen and then as a result could hardly find the keyboard. It's a novelty I've grown to love in the new PB. One of those things that I couldn't imagine not having as standard fxnality in a laptop now.
Anyway, I'm sure you'll be happy with your PB. I'm been considering Apple Care, too. My old Ti lasted 4 years, though, without a problem. Then, everything went to pot. The Airport card crapped out then the right half of the screen started blanking out. Now, though with so many additonal features, ports, and what-not packed into the new PB, I'm tempted to get the care program. Who knows.
- trs
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- trs
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#208726 - 11/03/2004 14:26
Re: Laptop Decision
[Re: tonyc]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/06/1999
Posts: 7868
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it will be $50 per support call, even if it's because the machine is broken and you need to get it fixed under warranty.
I guess I haven't come across that. I do know it costs money to talk to Apple to troubleshoot problems outside the 90 days, but I was always under the impression that any such charges would be refunded if pure problem diagnosing ended in having to repair the system.
Easy way around this though, and the hassle of shipping the system off. Find a local reseller that also does support. I have never been charged by mine, even in troubleshooting a really odd and infrequent problem. I have had the screen replaced once (known pressure points causing white spots to appear in the first shipments), and had my right USB port fail to power/see devices (required a tiny 1 inch PCB to be replaced to fix it). Both repairs, I took the system in, showed them the problem, and they ordered the parts. 1-2 days later when they had time, they called be back and had my Powerbook back to me in 30 mins.
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#208727 - 11/03/2004 14:33
Re: Laptop Decision
[Re: trs24]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 2858
Loc: Atlanta, GA
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I'm not a looker either - but I sure have a hard time finding home row in the dark! The feature I've grown used to is the little bumps on the "f" and "j" keys. I never even knew they were there until I tried a keyboard without them.
Edited by FerretBoy (11/03/2004 14:34)
_________________________
-Jeff
Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings; they did it by killing all those who opposed them.
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#208728 - 11/03/2004 14:36
Re: Laptop Decision
[Re: Yonzie]
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member
Registered: 12/01/2002
Posts: 192
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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mkay. You should be aware that if you do not get AppleCare, it will be $50 per support call, even if it's because the machine is broken and you need to get it fixed under warranty. This should be illegal in some way. I haven't had to call them lately, but I'm pretty sure you're only charged if it turns out to be a tech-support call where they fix the problem you caused, not if there's a hardware problem and you send it in.
Too slow...
Edited by V99 (11/03/2004 14:37)
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#208729 - 11/03/2004 15:52
Re: Laptop Decision
[Re: trs24]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 27/06/1999
Posts: 7058
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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I'm not a looker either - but I sure have a hard time finding home row in the dark! 23ppl 8 u7w5 w5q45 5608jtl qhe 8r 5y8htw o99i r7hh6l 8 ih92 8 j8ww3e 5y3 y9j3 492l
Whoops... Make that...
Well, I just start typing, and if things look funny, I know I missed the home row.
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#208730 - 11/03/2004 15:55
Re: Laptop Decision
[Re: tonyc]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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That's pretty good:
% tr '1234567890qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnm,.' 'qwertyuiopasdfghjkl;zxcvbnm,.'
23ppl 8 u7w5 w5q45 5608jtl qhe 8r 5y8htw o99i r7hh6l 8 ih92 8 j8ww3e 5y3 y9j3 492l
we;;. i just start typimg. and if things look funny. i know i missed the home row.
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Bitt Faulk
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#208732 - 19/04/2004 14:28
Re: Laptop Decision
[Re: tonyc]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 23/08/2000
Posts: 3826
Loc: SLC, UT, USA
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Bumping an old thread... but the Powerbooks and iBooks were updated today... ordered mine as soon as i woke up! Finally!!!
PowerBook 1.5GHz PowerPC G4
15.2-inch TFT Display
512K L2 cache
ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 128MB
512MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 SO-DIMM
80GB Ultra ATA drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
AirPort Extreme built-in
Bluetooth built-in
Gigabit Ethernet
FireWire 400 & 800
DVI & S-Video out
Can't wait for that thing to get here!!!
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#208733 - 19/04/2004 14:42
Re: Laptop Decision
[Re: loren]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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Are they selling the old ones cheaper somewhere?
_________________________
Bitt Faulk
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#208734 - 19/04/2004 15:37
Re: Laptop Decision
[Re: loren]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 27/06/1999
Posts: 7058
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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You have me to thank, as I have the uncanny ability to buy things immediately before a new one comes out or the prices drop on them. Having said that, I haven't really felt the need for more CPU power on my Powerbook yet, and I've been using it as my everyday computer lately.
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#208735 - 19/04/2004 18:32
Re: Laptop Decision
[Re: tonyc]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 23/08/2000
Posts: 3826
Loc: SLC, UT, USA
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Are they selling the old ones cheaper somewhere? good question. i'd bet there'll be a price cut in the channels on any remaining stock, but from what i've read Apple has been letting things dry up with the powerbooks for a while. I know the 15" would be hard to find since it's their most popular seller.
You have me to thank hahah. I've been waiting 2 months for this release just to get a speed bump, 4x burner, and 128 meg mobile radeon for the same price point. It'll definitely be my main machine... prepare for lots of off topic posts from me re: the powerbook!
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#208736 - 19/04/2004 18:51
Re: Laptop Decision
[Re: loren]
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addict
Registered: 18/02/2002
Posts: 658
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Hey I just got a Dell Inspiron with that same video card and I just gotta say that it rocks. I've run Call of Duty, BF 1942 and Final Fantasy 11 on it so far and all three looked amazing -- I had everything maxed to full. I had no idea that a notebook could run games that well.
You're in for some good times.
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#208737 - 19/04/2004 19:01
Re: Laptop Decision
[Re: visuvius]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 23/08/2000
Posts: 3826
Loc: SLC, UT, USA
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Too bad i won't be running any of those on a mac. *sigh*
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#208738 - 19/04/2004 19:24
Re: Laptop Decision
[Re: loren]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/06/1999
Posts: 7868
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BF1942 is actually being ported over and quite a few games have been ported. While not all popular games make it over, more and more are, with a few even being either released at the same time, or even better, being released on a hybrid disc.
I'll probably end up playing something to pass the time on the trip over the ocean this summer.
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