From: Bob Aman <vacindak@...>
Date: 2005-10-05T04:26:46+09:00
Subject: Re: OFF Topics :: PC-laptop or Powerbook

On 10/4/05, Squeak Smalltalk <wallenberg@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I will change job soon and I have to decide which type of laptop I want.
> I have always had pc-laptops.
> But I see that a lot of ruby programers use powerbooks.
>
> If you use a powerbook give me some advice ?
>
> Best Regards
> W.

I adore my 12" Powerbook, but if I had it to do over again, I would
probably look for a photobag that fit the 15" Powerbook instead of
looking for a Powerbook that fit the 13" sleeve in my photobag.  The
lack of a PCMCIA slot on the 12" is somewhat disappointing as well as
the lack of the back-lit keyboard.  Neither are must-have features,
but I do know that when the Intel Powerbooks show up, I'll be opting
for a 15" instead.

Windows laptops aren't even in the running.  I have too many dead
laptops in my house from too many different manufacturers.  The only
laptop manufacturer whose servicing policies I can deal with is Apple.
 I take my laptop to the local authorized mac repair guy and two days
later I get it back, no charge, problem fixed.  They even replaced my
lcd screen because it had a single dead pixel when I got it.  Extended
warranties aren't exactly cheap, but they're necessary.  As anyone who
has owned any non-hardened laptop can tell you, laptops require
service/replacement far more often than their desktop counterparts. 
And Apple just tends to do a better job at this because of their
network of excellent repair guys.  Most others like Toshiba, Compaq,
Acer, whatever, require you to mail the laptop to them for repairs. 
This can take weeks.  Weeks where you're not getting any work done on
the thing.  When you put that kind of cost up against the cost of the
warranty, the warranty starts looking downright cheap in comparison.

If you *must* get a Windows laptop, IBM is the only manufacturer I'd
even consider looking at.  The IBM laptop I have is the only laptop
I've ever owned that simply has never required any service at all. 
And judging by the number of absolutely ancient IBM laptops that one
sees floating around, mine is not the exception to the rule.

And finally, are you sure you want a laptop?  My brother got a laptop
before going off to college, and I believe he's moved it from its desk
maybe twice.  Desktops are always cheaper, and much faster.  They're
just not as fashionable.

But yes, Powerbooks in general are highly recommended.  It's hard to
describe beyond, "They just feel right."  And they certainly play
nicely with Ruby.
--
Bob Aman