Laptop Issues
Today, my new laptop is trying my patience. So much so that I asked if I could return it (15% restocking fee, or 0% if I buy another system from them). The problem? The power cord quit working (it's been gradually dying), not to mention that the 802.11b/Bluetooth doesn't work and it feels like I'm packing around a desktop. Oh, and then there's the problem that every-so-often, I can't connect to the internet via a browser. I have IE and Firebird installed, and neither will connect. A flash, and then a "Done" status. I still have connectivity, proven by ping and e-mail, but no websites come up. What a pain - rebooting fixes the problem. Don't get me wrong, I love the performance and large screen - but only when I'm using it. Today it hasn't been useable - so it's just sitting next to me saying "look at how loud and heavy I am."
I called Hypersonic and I was impressed in how quickly I was able to talk with someone, though I was a little disappointed that they hadn't returned an e-mail that I sent last night (I called at 9 this morning, 11 their time). I told them that the powercord was dead and I needed a new one. They said they could send it out Monday and it'd be here by next Thursday. That's when I asked about returning it and now it'll be here tomorrow. This is actually the second time I've had to threaten to get something done sooner. The good thing is that it works - the bad is that they should just give me the overnight option since I remember that being a big plus about the company over AlienWare (I read it in a review or something).
The other reason I'm thinking of returning it is that I don't really need a laptop - at least not yet. I don't know what my next gig will be and if they will require a laptop - if they don't - I probably don't need it (except to save the marriage). What I mean is I don't need it for development, which makes me lean towards a new PowerBook (slow is OK sans development). Damn, I wish there was a 2 GHz PowerBook. Then again, refreshing my XP Desktop with a Sonic Boom doesn't sound so bad either.
