Comments on: Toys please

By: colin

colin — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:49:41 +0000

Hi there! Sorry about the slow response, I’ve been off-net for a day or so in the West Island.

Sue: you can experiment with Ubuntu without getting rid of XP. Just download and burn an Ubuntu CD, or buy one through the links, then restart your computer with the CD in the drive. You will have the choice of running Ubuntu as a ‘Live” CD which won’t install anything onto your hard drive but will give you a flavour of Ubuntu, or installing as a ‘Dual Boot’ which will install it on your hard drive and give you a choice of running Ubuntu or XP every time you switch your computer on.

Regarding laptops, the Eee is a very cool little machine. It runs Linux, although by downloading something called Wine you can make it run most Windows software on Linux. But it’s not a full size laptop and it doesn’t have much space due to having no hard drive. If you want a more traditional laptop look at the Macbook for $1,500-2,000 (from memory, best to check) which is a lovely machine, or if you want to try something cheaper go down to Dick Smith and kick the tyres as it were. Don’t buy a cheap one with Vista, though, get XP because it will run much faster.

iPods – I would look at a Nano for size, a Classic for the ability to hold all my CDs or a Touch for sheer gorgeousness.

Andrew – thanks for the pointer to GHIII on the Wii. This may be the spur I need to go and buy one! Not sure if Rock Star, the competing title to GHIII is out on Wii as well.

Miraz – thanks for your pointers on Mac laptops. I’m in the market for a replacement high-end Mac laptop myself and I’m holding off until the Pro range gets revised, because it’s been a while since the last revision. Reviews on the current Mac Book (non-Pro) are relentlessly positive, but I’ve convinced myself I need the Pro features since I use it as a desktop replacement. Check out macrumors.com.

Cheers…Colin

By: Miraz Jordan

Miraz Jordan — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:56:00 +0000

Sue: I was looking at a friend’s Asus eeePC today – very dinky, very cute! She tells me battery life is not good (about 2 hours). It’s extremely small and lightweight.

Whic Mac to buy? Well, there are 4 main possibilities: laptop or on the desk, consumer or Pro level. The laptops cost more but have the advantage of being totally portable. My MacBook has about 5 hours battery life and is great. My MacBook Pro has much shorter battery life and gets hot as anything.

Screen size can be bigger in the desk machines.

Cheers,

Miraz

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 09:12:41 +0000

Hi Colin
I enjoyed your talk today as always. One correction though: Guitar Hero III is available for the Wii. DSE New Zealand link: http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/4760f67b00816240273fc0a87f3306c0/Product/View/YG6211

By: Sue Watts

Sue Watts — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 23:43:21 +0000

Hi I heard your talk on RNZ today and it raised a couple of interesting thoughts. I had been thinking about looking at linux although my XP has been very stable. So it was great to receive info about Ubuntu. When you were talking you also mentioned laptops. I didn’t see the dialogue in your listing and I wanted to reread what you said as my daughter is interested in purchasing a laptop or possibly the eee? Final point I didn’t hear you talk about the best Ipod or Mac as I am at work so I thought I would click on the link but it takes me to the TShirt. This is another family discussion we are having at the moment. Thanks Sue