As I begin to think about my future set-up, a bit of thinking (and this will change) about what I want:
- A setup that’s in some way portable (either a laptop or a desktop/slave laptop configuration) for class, library, trips, etc.
- A base station setup (probably based off of the same machine) that I can use to make big projects (papers, etc.) easier
- Peripherals that aren’t outrageously expensive (or can be acquired cheaply – hello eBay) but are outrageously helpful.
What I currently have:
- Hard Drive Space–1TB+ of available space
- A cheap wired optical mouse
- An old Airport Express that doesn’t seem to want to work very well
- An old Netgear router (which I plugged in this morning), which seems to work better.
- A laptop bag/briefcase which I’ll probably continue to use
- An old HP Deskjet printer
- A pair of Harmon Kardon sound sticks (the old ones with the USB interface that makes AirTunes impossible)
- Mozy
What my dream system will need:
- A Computer (duh – currently working off of a borrowed one after the old Pbook G4 kicked the proverbial bucket)
- Keyboard (for home use)
- Monitor (one? two?) For home use
- Cheap laser printer?
- Some sort of PDA thing, preferably an iPod touch (which I’m really hoping will come with the new computer), which won’t require subscription fees so long as I can get wireless for me to get my e-mail ‘n’ stuff when I’m away from my desk.
- A document scanner. I’ve never had one of these before, but if I can’t finally go paperless, I’m gonna drown. Expensive? Yes. Worth every penny if I can keep to the system? Definitely.
- Some sort of wireless solution that will make it all come together (computer, printer, HD, iPod, etc.)
- I’m probably gonna have to get Office ’08 (although I’ve heard terrible things), and I’m thinking about Windows (Boot Camp). And everyone around here seems to love Omniwhatever, and perhaps even Bento or equivalent as well. And that RSS reader thing that everyone loves so much more than Google Reader.
How much of this I actually get is clearly up in the air. Right now, I’m leaning toward a MacBook, but I’m also waiting with bated breath for the Apple announcement in June (netbook? discounts? media tablet? Bring ‘em all on!). Time will tell, but I’m counting the days until WWDC. And yet, I think that I’m forgetting something. What, I have no clue. . .
