OT: notebook shopping

[Vaughn Treude]

Donn wrote:
> 
> 
> On Thu, Apr 24, 2008 at 9:52 AM, Austin Godber <godber at uberhip.com 
> <mailto:godber at uberhip.com>> wrote:
> 
>     Kevin Faulkner wrote:
>      >> I beg to differ, OS X is very different from Windows. It sells
>     for a fair
>      >> price and it works.
>      >>
>      >
>      > Well its kinda hard to place a price on OS X when it comes
>     bundled with the
>      > machine itself. I don't even know how much it sells for. I think
>     Windows works
>      >
>      >
>     OS X is $129
> 
>     http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB427Z/A?mco=MTIyNzA
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> 
> Thank you Austin. That was part of my point. OS X has ONE Price and One 
> version. It also has none of the typical Windows issues with Registry 
> hell, reboot after sneezing hard, corruption of basic services by 
> applications (at least typically), etc.
> 
> As far as 'Free' or Open Source' vs. proprietary software is concerned, 
> I try to take a realistic view. It is somewhat irritating to me to hear 
> 'but that is proprietary software!' as if something smelled bad. I am 
> not trying to be argumentative here, I just want to make a point. I 
> agree on principal in the building block theory of Open Source software, 
> that is that knowledge should be shared and move us all forward without 
> wasting effort in constantly recreating code to do the same things. This 
> is an admirable goal. I try to support open source software that I use 
> and appreciate. I generally do not use free software, since it is 
> generally, but not always worth what you paid for it.
> 
> What I don't agree with is the Microsoft method of market domination by 
> intimidation. I have a great deal of admiration for what Apple has done 
> with their products in most cases. They are not beyond draconian methods 
> either, but the shear elegance of some of their hardware and software is 
> difficult to argue with. No one else in consumer electronics even comes 
> close, except possibly Nintendo, and very rarely Sony (believe it or 
> not). I have a 24" iMac and it is the best piece of hardware (and 
> software with Leopard) I have ever owned. At their core, Microsoft seems 
> to be about one thing, holding on to their 'lands and titles' like the 
> Nobles of old. Apple seems to aspire to something better in every 
> product they sell. They don't always hit the mark, but in my mind, the 
> aspiration is the thing that deserves recognition and admiration.
> 

I have to agree with Donn on this one. All of us have our own reasons 
for our interest in Linux. Some don't like proprietary software. I don't 
care so much about that issue - if it works and has a fair price, no 
problem. Proprietary, secret data formats _do_ bug me.  My other 
motivations are:
- I strongly dislike monopolies, and MS is pretty close to being one 
(but hopefully losing ground. :-) )
- I cut my proverbial teeth on Unix, and Linux incorporates those 
features I've always appreciated in that venerable OS.

BTW, I finally decided on a Dell Latitude D830 - _almost_ top-end on all 
the options, for $1600. (Yes, it has XP, which I can use in conjunction 
with my job.) Nice thing about getting a popular model like that, I have 
found detailed instructions for installing Ubuntu on it and I know about 
all the gotchas before I encounter them.

I _really_ considered the Mac this time, but just couldn't justify 
spending $600 more for the equivalent machine. Maybe next time.

Thanks, everyone, for all the suggestions! I knew I could get a lot of 
help from you guys!

Vaughn

> These are more words than I have ever written on this list, and I 
> apologize for the diatribe. Please take no offense.
> 
> -- 
> Donn
> There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
> -- Dave Barry
> 
> 
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