New lappy

I am surprised how laptops have improved over 4 years. I was prompted to buy either a laptop or a desktop 4 years ago. That time, all my friends were crazy to get laptops. I resisted buying any to save money in my first year in polytechnic because assignments could really be completed by staying over in the lab after classes or going to school on Saturdays (NUS students will be surprised but yes, it is). Then, our beloved prime minister installed 5-day work week policy. Lab operating hours were drastically reduced and I was forced to buy a computer.

I remember then that laptop specs at that time were way too uncool. 20GB harddrive, no dedicated video card, 256MB ram, 1.2GHz. Even higher-ends were like 40GB, 512MB and 1.4GHz. So, I got a (then) super cool desktop with 19'' flat monitor, 2.2GHz, 1GB Ram, 120GB HDD, 256 MB Geforce, well, at the price of a laptop.

Today, I think laptop specs are very much comparable to desktops. At least, they have very acceptable specs (maybe because my experience with PCs started with 20GB HDD, 256MB ram era). I again originally didn't want to buy a laptop in university to save money (well, am I too frugal? that probably has to do with family background, family culture, income and the perceived need, so u can't blame me for that). I also happened to get hold of a lappy for free for one semester when it was needed most. That was another reason I didn't happen to buy one.

But, I bought one now. FYP and those increasingly utilized Soc labs gave me no other choice. To my very pleasant surprise, lappy's today are way too cool even compared to deskops 4 years back at half their price. Consider these - desktop vs laptop, more than twice better specs, almost half the price.

It is very very rare in life to get what you want when you want it. Think about it. When you are thirsty walking on a hot street, you don't have an iced cold lemonade. When you have one, you are inside an iced cold shopping mall. At least, you don't get it at the time you want most. But, I got this rare luck. I found a Dell lappy at very reasonable price and specs. Almost perfect, just a little bit more (of course, Dell purposefully did it). What's needed? a carrying case, upgrade from 2GB to 3GB Ram, upgrade from 1yr to 2yr warranty. Add these and the price is increased such that I would rather get a fujitsu. I thought I would visit some retail store. Without much anticipation. Just to see if the deals they have are better. Spot on. Challenger promotion, the exact same model, $100 less with all I need above. I was happy.

Well, life is never perfect, I wanted a blue color but they only had black ones (or pink). But, it's ok. I tell myself that most of the time, I will be looking at the screen instead of the back of it. Btw, it is SGD 1300, core 2 duo P8700 2.53 GHz, 3GB RAM, 500GB HDD, ATI Radeon 512mb (not bad, can play dynasty warriors 6), 14'', 2.4kg.