2003–10–29

I couldn’t help myself

Back in September Apple announced the first revision to the 12" PowerBook. The main changes included an upgrade to 1 GHZ processor, increased ram from 128 to 256 (built-in), doubled Level 2 Cache from 256 to 512, and a better graphics card. Not a huge leap forward so I resisted the urge. At that point I’d owned my PowerBook for 9 months which is about the current cycle for me. I know it’s sick, but I’ve gotten into this habit over the past three years of selling my computer to a friend and upgrading every 9–10 months.

But this time I was going to pass. But then, within days of the new PowerBook announcement, Morgan announced his desire to sell his tower and by a laptop. So, jump to October 23, 9pm and I’m on the Outpost.com website ordering a new computer. It arrived the next morning at 9am. This is the second time I’ve ordered from Outpost and had the purchased item in my hands within 12 hours. Sweet.

The quick review. This machine is definitely faster and I’ll be adding 512 MB of ram tomorrow for a total of 768 MB. I’m sure the performance will jump as much as it did when I added ram to the first PowerBook.

I know… I need help. I’m fairly certain that once I leave Memphis (currently scheduled for February 1, 2004) that will break the cycle. I’ll be traveling for a good bit and then settling in somewhere new. I don’t think I’ll have the funds anytime in the next 10 months to buy a new one. Funny thing… my first Mac, a Color Classic purchased in 1992 (or was it 93?) was not replaced until 1998 and still functioned at the time of replacement.

The problem isn’t that these new computers don’t do the job I need them to do… no. The problem is that I have some sort of obsession. It’s only laptops though. I’ve been driving the same car, a 1992 Tercel, for 5 years and will continue to do so until it falls apart or I buy a Segway. I don’t buy new clothes. Ever. My budget is simple: Housing, food (for me and my dog), gas, cell phone, computer.

I’m glad I’ve been able to simplify my life.