My New Malibu Barbie by Carla Damron
My desktop computer has been doing strange things. It
doesn’t always turn on when it should, and takes forever to load websites. I
can’t fault it—the thing is eight+ years old. Yes, it has a floppy disk drive. Yes,
it’s the size of a Chevy pick-up. For about a year, I’ve been pondering its
replacement. Do I want another desktop? Or a laptop? Or would a tablet with a
keyboard work?
Several of my friends have severe Apple addictions. “Get an
iPad!” they say. “Or a Macbook. Or both.” These are fine devices but I write in
MS Word. And I don’t have a bottomless bank account. I loved the idea of a
tablet (“so convenient! It fits in my purse!”) because I could A) play Words
with Friends on it and B) hook up a keyboard and get some writing done. But
when I borrowed my husband’s, I found it to be less than perfect for work. The
dang thing has NO USB, so I had to keep emailing the manuscript to myself. And
the MS Word equivalent wasn’t equivalent enough for my tastes. Words with
Friends, however, worked beautifully.
So maybe a laptop was what I needed. Something not too big
or heavy; my work laptop is amazing but I have to bend my knees to lift it.
Something I could easily keep with me, allowing me to snatch a few minutes of
writing time between other events of the day. My shopping/research was
overwhelming. There are about 10,000 different kinds of laptops, with various
sorts of bells and whistles, and each promises to be the best device ever
invented. I narrowed it down according to my needs: 1) Easy to operate—the
touch screen idea had its appeal. 2) Not too heavy, perhaps even purse-able. 3)
I need it to LAST. 4) It needs MS Word and a USB port.
Still, all the choices perplexed me, and the idea of a
tablet kept popping up. Could I really get both? I decided to seek guidance. I posted my
quandary on my Facebook page and asked for writers to chime in. This led me to
what seemed like great—but expensive—choice: The Surface Pro II.
This is a hybrid tablet/laptop. The screen can be used as a
tablet, but it snaps into a keyboard and becomes a netbook size laptop. It has
a touchscreen—check. It’s not heavy—check. It’s well built and should
last—check. It has a USB and MS Word works on it. Check, check. But dang, the
thing cost a fortune.
I mulled. I brooded. I waited till after Christmas in hope
that its price would come down (it did, a nano-price drop). I played with it at
several office stores. I cornered one poor salesperson and drilled him about
it: “Show me how the touchscreen works.” “Do you think it’s as good as the
reviews say it is?” “Can I pay Words with Friends?”
The answer to the last question was, sadly, “no.” “This
computer is designed for work. For productivity.”
“So no Words with Friends?”
“Not in the App store yet. But again, this is designed to be a work product.”
“Not in the App store yet. But again, this is designed to be a work product.”
“Are you saying I should quit goofing off and get to work?”
He smiled. I pulled out the credit card.
I named her Malibu Barbie and she is amazing. Fast as
lightning. A little heavier than a large iced tea. Her keyboard is comfortable,
user friendly, and purple. Writing is a joy on this baby. She’s easy to keep with me and whip out at a
Starbucks or the library. In tablet
mode, she works much like an iPad. There’s even an app that lets her read my
work aloud to me. In laptop mode, I press an icon and a regular desktop screen
appears. This hybrid thing is working for me.
Why did I name her Malibu Barbie? Because the first thing I
did when I bought her was start looking for accessories. I bought a case, but
didn’t like it, tried another, didn’t like it either, and ended up designing
one and making it out of wool that I felted. The case looks good on her, but
I’ll need another for travel—one that’s better insulated to keep her safe. I’m
looking for one that’s purple.
Malibu Barbie has proven to be the right device to help me
with my writing. And who knows—maybe one day they’ll add Words with Friends to
the App store.
What’s your preference? Desktop? Laptop? Tablet? Pad and
pen?
I now use a laptop for most things, but I also have a 7" tablet for travel and long waits in doctors' offices.
ReplyDeleteWe do name our computers. My current is Gavia immer (It's black and white as is the Common Loon). It's predecessor was Canis lupus because it was grey like the wolf.
Before that we had "Hot Momma," which replaced "Big Moma" and "Little Moma" (desktop and laptop; misspellings courtesy of my young son at the time).
Jan uses Macs. Silver Fox is her current one and her previous was White Rabbit (colors to match).
Have fun with your new dress-up toy -- oh, and do try to get some work done, too.
~ Jim
Hmm, I looking for a lighter lap top. My old one nearly takes my arm out of its socket when I carry it. I wonder who makes barbies.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried a tablet. The size, like my Kindle, would be wonderful, and yet, as I get older, having a larger screen to read is really better for me. How anyone reads off a Smart phone is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteI've never named a computer. I always start a computer relationship like a honeymooning couple. Before too long, though, I'm yelling obscenities at it. The Mac is better, but I still get frustrated with them.
Glad you found a system that you like, Carla. Having a new, reliable system is a plus for any writer.
I have a lap top, but I only use it if I travel and will be staying in a motel and sometimes not even then. My daughter uses it when she comes to visit rather than bring her own.
ReplyDeleteI prefer my desk top with my clutter on it and the reference books on the shelf beside it.
I like the cover you made for yours, Carla.
Jim, love your names!
ReplyDeleteWarren: there are definitely lighter laptops now, thank goodness!
EB: I find the screen size is less important than the font size, which grows with each birthday!
Gloria, I do still have the dying desktop. Not completely converted yet.
I need to replace my laptop--still has xp on it and too old to just install a new operating program on it. My son-in-law gave me a Samsung Galaxy Tablet, brand new, when he got a new IPad thru work place. I'm still learning to use the tablet and seriously doubt I could have it as my one and only system for writing. Definitely going for a new laptop but, like you, I find the choices almost overwhelming. I'll have to look at the Surface but I most likely will go with the laptop and the tablet for occasional times. Why does something that should be so simple get so complicated? Found this post of great interest, Carla. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNancy, I'm with you re: too many choices. Just read reviews, narrow it down, then close your eyes and pick one!
ReplyDeleteI used to prefer laptops but, for some reason, mine kept crashing--I had three different brands over five years. I finally gave up and now have a desktop. It's had a few glitches, but I'm crossing my fingers it will last for a long time.
ReplyDeleteI hope Malibu Barbie continues to be reliable and fun for you.
Could really identify with this, Carla. When my old pc finally gave up the ghost, I knew I wanted another desktop. I am a creature of habit and have always worked with a desktop with Windows. I have had 2 laptops and hated both. Why do they call them laptops when they weigh a ton? But I was very tempted to get a tablet - and the debate was on! In the end I had to have a think to myself about what I really wanted it for, especially as I don't travel much. I wanted the basics - news and mail. I wanted to be able to read mail, submissions, etc while away from the desk and not go blind reading from my smartphone. Just by chance I spotted a 7inch at less than half price so got it. I am happy enough with it, but have to say I am envious of your new Malibu Barbie.Maybe if I win the Lotto!
ReplyDeleteCarla, I sadly confess I have two iPads, a regular size and a mini. When I got the regular size, I quickly discovered it could not be seen naked and I was appalled at the cost of its clothes. I found a pewter cover on sale that resembled the fabric from the shiny outfits of the Space Family Robinson. I call it the iPad's "Lost in Cyberspace" suit. Now, both my iPads have changes in clothes. Sigh. It's a terrible addiction. Almost as bad as purses.
ReplyDelete