Monday is my birthday and Hubby thinks I need a new computer…immediately.
He’s been home with bronchitis most of the week and has been checking his work e-mail from my laptop. (The netbook he normally uses won’t hold a charge and our desktop blew up. Therefore I’ve reluctantly handed over my laptop, but I knew we’d be having this discussion.) Just because my delete key won’t work (highlight enter will do the same thing), other keys stick, it’s difficult to type upper case letters (but it can be done) and the panel covering the CD/DVD door is bent, he was highly uncomplimentary of my Toshiba.
I’d already planned to get a new one soon, just not now. I thought I’d buy one, bring it home, make sure everything is installed and transferred over the way I want, then take this one to be sent in for a new keyboard and whatever else it needs. It is under warranty until August, so I might as well take advantage and have an extra laptop at home.
Hubby has been eyeing those all-in-one i-Mac’s. They are totally self-contained and I have to admit, it is amazing with its 27” screen and magic mouse. Our godchild’s family had one when we visited them in Seattle last week, and our godchild showed us his files, his folders, his artwork…he was all over that thing. I suppose if we got that I could use the wireless mouse and keyboard to work at home and travel with our laptop or netbook. Apple now has Microsoft Office Suite and from what I hear one can go between the two operating systems without a hassle.
Hubby knows I’m a laptop kind a gal and thought if I wanted a Mac laptop I’d like the Macbook. I do like it weights 4.7 pounds, but I could never go from a 17” laptop screen to a 13” one. The MacBook Pro (at more than twice the price) has a 17” screen and weighs 6.6 pounds. My Toshiba weighs a pound more. What I really like about the MacBook Pro—the keys and the screen are backlit. How cool is that?
My reasons for looking at the MAC in the first place were it was less likely to get a virus and because of the writing program Scrivener. (I think Hubby wants one because his business partner has one. You know boys and their toys.) But I understand there is now a PC version of Scrivener. I’ve been using MS Word and keeping a detailed Excel spreadsheet with a page for each of the characters’ particulars (eye color, habits, quirks, etc.), settings, and other descriptions. I don’t write with an outline so I have a master spreadsheet where I have brief chapter summaries and list all of the scenes as a way of quickly finding something when I need a reference. But just this week I discovered One Note. It was already on my computer—just hiding. Oh my gosh, have you seen it? I can see how this and Word could easily work to be a writer’s dream. I’ve got to find this Scrivener and see how it compares so if you use it, please give me the lowdown.
All of my information about the computers is coming off the Internet. I haven’t started shopping yet so I don’t even know if I’ll like the feel of the MAC. How about you? What kind of computer do you use? Do you love it? Hate it? Has anyone gone from a PC to a MAC and how did that work? What software do you use to write and are you happy with it?
Lots of questions…I sure hope someone will come up with lots of answers.
~Kay
Julia Broadbooks
March 11, 2011 at 12:52 pm
I’ve never had a Mac, but everyone I know who has switched loves their Mac.
There is a public Beta of Scrivener available now. The final version is likely to be released early April. If you won Nano, you get a big discount. I adore Scrivener. The Beta is not without flaws, but it’s a great way to see if you like it. http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivenerforwindows/
Kay
March 14, 2011 at 12:20 pm
Thanks for the info Julia.
Phoenix
March 13, 2011 at 9:45 pm
I haven’t played with a Mac for years since the last companies I worked for provided PC laptops and free is the best kind of laptop there is, hands down. Out of habit and because I was working for HP when I needed to finally buy my own laptop in December, I went with an HP because I got a good discount. I don’t hate it. But I also pretty much keep it on a desk and hooked up to a larger monitor, so I could probably have gone with a desktop and been as happy. I don’t have a dock, so unplugging everything to move it around seems like too much trouble.
And I just use plain ole Word to write (I’m on 2010 now). I outlined my last book pretty meticulously and moved chapters around to get the pacing right, but the story structure leant itself to that kind of manipulation. My current WIP is pretty linear and notes and outline are just in Word, with a few snippets of notes in NotePad. But since my jobs for the last few years demanded I be working in Word 90% of my time, I’m pretty familiar with how to get the most out of it and with editing onscreen.
All that to say, I don’t think I have any good answers for you, Kay. I used to be an early adopter, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that, for me, the bells and whistles aren’t usually worth the trade-offs in time to learn them and in how quicky they can distract you ;o)
Kay
March 14, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Thanks Phoenix. I think every “work” PC I was ever provided was an HP. The first one I bought post employment was a Sony–didn’t like it. This Toshiba has been a workhorse, but it’s only three years old and I don’t think the keys should be falling off. It’s not like I have a 2 yr old playing with the keyboard. Still not sure what I’m going to do. Probably try the MAC.
Kay
March 14, 2011 at 12:26 pm
Thanks everyone who commented here, in e-mails, on Facebooks and forums. I appreciate everyone’s input.
Arlene
March 17, 2011 at 1:46 pm
I know, Kay, I’m totally enticed by the self-contained Mac and its 27 inches! I keep saying as soon as my desktop breaks, I’m getting one. Hope I don’t jinx myself, but then again……Anyway, keep us posted on which one you choose.
Kay
March 20, 2011 at 11:56 am
I’m going with a MAC (I think). Now I have to decide which one. If only I were coughing my head off and could go to a store to touch them . . .