Wednesday, October 5, 2011

What a Difference . . .

a new computer makes.

If there is one tangible tool a writer needs this day and age, it's a "working" computer.

I've worked with a slower-than-a-slug, crash happy, burn-your-thighs kind of laptop for quite some time now. So when it crashed this weekend with heat rising from it, I knew I had to go searching for a new one.

Now I'm in the midst of transferring data from the so-close-to-dead old one to my new speedy hp laptop while eagerly writing. Well, editing really, but since I'm not dealing with a chug-kerplunk-chug-along Sally any longer, I'm enjoying this editing journey more now.

I stretched my last laptop to work for me for near six years. I'm told that's amazing. I wonder how long I should expect this one to last?

When you got a new computer, did you notice a drastic change in your writing productivity? I sure hope you did, because this is one sweet gift I'm experiencing now! [Choosing to worry about the bill later. :)]

PS. Okay, so I've discovered one bug. I can't seem to publish blog post on my new laptop. I must be missing something on that computer. Lots and lots to learn.

Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

15 comments:

Jessica Nelson said...

Eileen, I experienced the same thing a few months ago on blogger. Try changing your text to rich text in your setting. Or maybe...grrr...Let me go look it up. I'll e-mail you the details.

Anyway, my laptop is 4 yrs old. The other day I did a Windows update and suddenly my computer wouldn't start. I had to use systeme restore to get it back. *sigh* I'm thinking I'll need a new one within the next three years too.

Diane said...

Yeah for a new computer!!!! Makes all the difference. :O)

Susan Anne Mason said...

I'm in a similar situation. My laptop is about 6 years old now. It's having some 'slowness' issues and the battery only lasts 20 minutes.

So I'm in the market for a new one as well. My husband has a HP laptop which is very pretty. My brother, a computer guru, is not in favour of HP personal computers. Says they're only good for corporate situations. In fact HP is getting out of the personal computer business, so there won't be much support (How does he know this? I've never heard anything? But unfortunately he's usually right). I do like the HP's though.

Mine is an Acer and though I've never had a problem with it, other than the battery life, I want to try something new. So I'm in the research process.

Did you research a lot before you bought yours, Eileen?

Wishing you many happy writing hours on your new baby!

Sandra Orchard said...

Enjoy the new speed, Eileen! And choose your virus software wisely...it's what can quickly bog that speed down.

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Jessica, you're amazing. Your email suggestion worked. I just posted a test post then deleted.

Yay!! THANK YOU!!!

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Diane, I'm sure discovering that!

Susan: Because of my time crunch I didn't get to do a lot of researching, but I spent a couple hours in the Mac store and though I still think it would have worked really well, in the end, I just couldn't afford it. I got this one at COSTCO and went with it because it had the greatest speed for multi-browser use. With blogging and social networking I always found that the slowest on my old Acer (funny we had the same laptops), so that was an important factor for me.

Good luck with your hunt!

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Sandra, I've got the Norton one on now. Do you have any others you would recommend?

Our desktop is on its way out the door too, so I'm trying to talk hubby into getting an iMac to replace it. Our youngest really wants one, so maybe we'll get one one way or another. They are cheaper than than the MacBook Pro, so I'm hopeful!

Loree Huebner said...

Yay for the new computer!!

My laptop is 2 years old and still runs like a charm. Just keep junk from piling up on, it or should I say, in it. Delete...delete! the stuff you don't need.

Hubby just got a new HP desktop for his work with a huge screen...oh boy is it nice! My laptop screen seems tiny compared to it. No wonder I'm going blind.

Enjoy! I'm thinking your best seller will be written on it...

Loree Huebner said...

oops typo...haha see I told you this screen is small! Should read: Just keep junk from piling up on it, or should I say, in it.

Susan R. Mills said...

Computers are so picky when it comes to blogger. I think that's why I'm having a problem with my followers. I've been using a different computer since I started blogging again. If you get your problem solved, let me know how. Maybe it could solve my problem too. :) Good luck, and yes a new computer makes all the difference in the world.

Erica Vetsch said...

My Dell laptop is still going, but it's slow and clunky...it's the back up laptop now.

I got a zippety new HP just over a year ago, and I really like it. Though I don't like the process of switching from one computer to another, once all the files were transferred and I figured out how to use Windows 7, things went way better.

I did get a chill pad for the HP though because it ran much hotter than my old Dell.

Enjoy the new 'puter! :D

Jeanette Levellie said...

Congratulations! So happy for you.

Yes, my productivity went way up when I got my own laptop. I had been sharing a desktop computer with my hus. This is much better--I turned my spare bedroom into an office, and can close the door. Heaven!

Wendy Paine Miller said...

I am SO close to this point. My computer drives me nuts. It needs a check up b/c it's clearly dying.

Hoping for a Macbook soon. Ohhh.

~ Wendy

Sarah Forgrave said...

I hope your new computer gives you many productive hours of writing AND editing, Eileen! :)

Keli Gwyn said...

I'm glad you're enjoying your new computer, Eileen.

I have a Mac desktop model with a big screen and a sleek aluminum keyboard. This model replaced my old Mac, which gave it up with just one month to go under it's three-year extended warranty.

Guess what? Apple gave me this new computer for free since they couldn't fix the screen problem my old one was having. They transferred all my data from the old machine to the new and let me buy the extended warranty on my current computer. Talk about customer service.

(Yes, I'm a Mac person from 'way back. We got our first one in 1991. And yes, I'm so sad that Steve Jobs lost his battle with cancer yesterday. He was an incredible visionary.)