I love my Apple G4 Powerbook, and I love OSX. But I am unhappy with the Powerbook's processing power (Don’t agree? Try making fink update packages while trying to use iTunes and Firefox). In addition, I need to test Windows based software for work, and Virtual PC is too much of a resource hog. I am happy to hear that Apple is planning on switching to Intel chips, but it will probably be another year before the Intel based Powerbooks arrive. When they do, I will get one, and switch back. But for now, I have decided to switch to the Dell 700m.
The Dell 700m isn’t as polished as a Powerbook, but I am very happy with it’s small size and weight (approx 4.5 pounds with the extended battery). I found a 45% off coupon (via notebookreview.com, expires 9/15/2005), and ordered one last night. Here are the specs:
- Intel(r) Pentium(r) M Processor 745 (1.80 GHz/400MHz
FSB)
- 12.1-in WXGA
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional
- 1GB DDR SDRAM 2 Dimms
- 80 GB Hard Drive
- Integrated Network Card
- Internal 56K Modem
- 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
- Intel(r) PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal Wireless (802.11 b/g, 54Mbps)
- 8-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery (65 WHr) w/ 128mb Memory Key
- Warranty: 4 year Premium Solution Package
Price (after applying 45% off coupon): $1,379.95. Not a bad deal!
I also have a white 4GB iPod Nano on the way. I usually listen to music on my laptop, but the primary use of this iPod will be to hold audio books and podcasts. Here are some of my favorite podcasts:
- Benjamen Walker's Theory Of Everything
- Diggnation
- Engadget podcasts
- Fly With Me
- KCRW’s Bookworm
- KCRW’s The Treatment
- NPR: Books
- Open Source
- Ruby on Rails Podcast
- this WEEK in TECH
- .NET Rocks!
Nitesh Dhanjani is a well known security researcher, author, and speaker. Dhanjani has been invited to talk at various information security events such as the Black Hat Briefings, RSA, Hack in the Box, Microsoft Blue Hat, and OSCON.
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