Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Free at Last

On the heels of yesterday's post (aren't they all?), I have more exciting news: I'm getting one of these:


It's an HP Mini netbook and it should be arriving at my parents' doorstep this afternoon. SQUEE!!

It's roughly 6" x 10" and has a 6.5 hour battery, perfect for long flights and even longer afternoons at the beach. I'm sure many of you already understand the beauty of a laptop so you can sympathize with the fact that for all of my computing life I've been shackled to a desktop computer. A pretty amazing desktop computer, sure, but some days the last thing I want to do is sit at my desk for hours on end.

As you may be aware, I'm a Mac baby, and HP is a PC. I do know how to use Windows (sort of) and since my primary purpose for the netbook will be writing, I'm not too concerned that it's a different operating system than my Mac. I did an informal poll on Facebook and Twitter and almost everyone recommended this netbook PLUS I hear it not only comes with Solitaire, but it also has BEJEWELED!! Double squee!

(In case you live under a rock, I waste hours a day playing Bejeweled.)

My dad is letting me borrow his Verizon card so I'll have internet while I'm staying with my grandmother and since the netbook has a webcam, I'll be able to talk to my honey anytime I want. I mean, I'll be able to write all day. Yeah, that's what I meant.




Ooh, pretty.

18 comments:

Amy Sue Nathan said...

What a perfect gift for you! I'm happy you'll be mobile with you writing and your webcamming and your Bejewelling.

:)

Penguin said...

Ahhhhhhgggggg, not a PC.......

I bet you never thought I would say that, huh?
It is great your dad is loaning you his card so you can keep in contact.

Allen said...

I hope your evolution into the PC world will be smooth and comfortable.

My family is a split family. Yes, that's right. My wife and I are PC's. My son is MAC. Film student, what can I say?

I guess this means you will be able to understand all of my family. WE will be calling on you to settle our arguments from now on out.

Janna Leadbetter said...

It's very cute! Will you name it? ;)

I admit, I'm so very curious about Macs, because I've been a PC for the extent of my computer existence.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Amy, I'm SO excited!!

Penguin, I feel the same way. I thought for a second I might have sold her on an Apple, but no dice. I am glad I'll have internet.

Allen, my husband has a PC so I'm already familiar with all it's idiosyncrasies. And I can help you with the argument right now -- Macs win. :)

Ooh Janna! I didn't even THINK about naming it! *rubs hands together* That's something to think about...

Lisa Miles said...

I love those! My girlfriend has one and they're so cute. You can just toss it (carefully, of course) into your bag and go.

Adam said...

Ooh, that's pretty!

NO BEJEWELLED! WRITE!!!

;-)

Adam

JLC said...

Congrats on your new toy!! Windows will take a while to get used to but after a few days, you'll get the hang of it. I was a PC person for years before I transformed to Mac and I am pretty sure it will still take me a couple of days to get back into the PC user interface. (You might be able to install a version of Mac OS (Hackintosh) into your netbook, depending on the model. Check with hubby on this if you need it.)
Enjoy!!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Lisa, I'm very excited about it fitting into a bag. I told Ibis it'll be great because I can carry it in a small bag and know one will know I'm carrying a computer, thus thwarting any attempted muggings. Yes, this is my life.

Adam, I'll have to find a balance...

JLC, I've used Windows throughout my life (you have to test things on PCs as a designer) but that doesn't mean I'm happy about it. Plus, I've used Ibis's computer off and on. I'll have to check out Hackintosh!

Melanie Hooyenga said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Fun! Bet you can't wait to get there and play with it!

I just paid $2.99 and loaded Bejeweled (w/Blitz) onto my ITouch yesterday and when I have Wi-Fi it hooks up to my FB! Now I can spend even MORE time playing that stupid, stupid game!

Spy Scribbler said...

I've always wanted to build a Hackintosh. It's scared me a bit, though. Seems tricky. That desire has faded with Windows 7. Finally, a Windows that's fast and as pretty as Apple. :-)

Nadine said...

Yay for netbook!! It's so awesome to be able to go anywhere with your computer - I'm so glad you will now have the freedom! Although your long afternoon at the beach comment worried me. You'd be surprised at the places sand can end up :)

PS: And I cracked up at the games. I made the hubby take them off my computer so I wouldn't play them.

Robin said...

I can't believe how small that computer is! It's so adorable! I'm a MAC girl all the way, but that computer is very enticing.

You will love being free. I lounge around on the couch when I use the computer. The only problem is the temptation to nap.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Mary, after all this talk I will be very upset if it doesn't actually come with Bejeweled!

Natasha, I haven't spent enough time with Windows to know the difference between all the versions. I think I'm getting XP.

Nadine, you know how much I love the beach, lol. I'm sure I'll take it once to say that I have, and that's it. And after my last beach trip -- Owen and the netbook will NOT be coming together. (I can't BELIEVE you had him take the games off!)

Robin, fortunately I'm not much of a napper. At least not on purpose. I didn't know you're a Mac girl. That makes me love you even more.

colbymarshall said...

It's so SHIIINNNNYYY!!!! :-) Congrats! I'm hoping for a laptop for Cmas! :-)

Anonymous said...

Enjoy your gift, and much great writing on it!

I absolutely love my netbook.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Colby, I can't wait to get it!

Gypsy, so far everyone I've heard from who has one absolutely loves it. :)