Laptop computers are about mobility, but I've never been able to fully utilize this perk. I've had two laptops in my life, and both had tired, old batteries which means that I've been plugged in the whole time. Especially with this laptop, because the battery had about 20 minutes of life, but miscommunication between the battery and Windows made it so there was no warning when the battery went out. It just WENT. If the plug jiggled out of the jack or if I forgot to plug it in altogether, I would just lose whatever I was working on. Major suckage.
So when I came into a little extra cash, I researched a new laptop. This one weighs eight pounds, and the screen resolution is for watching videos which makes everything tiny, and a few other little quirks. But mostly, I was sick of the power issues from both laptops.
What I found was this: Laptops are expensive, y'all. Sure, I could get an el cheapo from Wal-Mart and compromise on features, but why get one that won't do what I need it to do? And my current one was top of the line when it was made (the original owner was a gamer) so it's still fast and relatively responsive. Yes, it's a behemoth at eight pounds. But it does everything I need, plus I've become attached to it, and I really don't want to have to change all my stuff over. So I spent a hundred bucks on a battery.
The communication issue must have been in the battery itself, because Windows recognized the new battery immediately. Yay, no more unexpected shut downs! No longer will the needle crash into the hard disc surface! Woo! I went unplugged for my evening Web surfing and got about 2 1/2 hours out of it, although I noticed watching videos suck the power fast, maybe 3x as fast. When I ran just Word and email, the power drain decreased to a crawl. I think if I could stay offline I could have a good 4-hr writing session on just the battery.
Although I haven't been off the couch with it yet, just knowing I can be is a good feeling. No I just need a bag that will fit Gigantor.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
That. Is. So. AWESOME! Woo! And all for the relatively small investment of just $100! You go, smart girl! :)
ReplyDeleteI've always wondered what that kind of electronic portability is like too. I figured I'd just have to stick with pen and paper and pretend. Then again, I'm truly not much of a laptop girl either because I can't stand the keyboard. Oh well.
But you! Free indeed! Spread those writer wings and fly! :)
A new battery would have been my suggestion for you. Much cheaper. Getting a replacement laptop that could run my digital art programs with decent graphics meant $2300, cheapest I found. Crazy expensive. And every time you get one, it's about the same price.
ReplyDeletePlaying videos or music really drains a battery fast.
Awesomeness. Just plain awesomeness.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter's computer needed a new battery and I nearly passed out when I saw the price tag--$140. Then I went to ebay and picked up a new one for $30. I've purchased cell phone batteries from ebay for pennies and they have always worked well. Hopefully computer batteries are the same.
ReplyDeleteYay for you and your "new" friend!