Technodrama III

Your order for 1 Toshiba Satellite Core Duo Widescreen Notebook on 11/16/2007 has been recently shipped via FEDEX.

In the face of the demise of my usb ports I went laptop shopping at all the usual places: CC, BB and OD, just to name a few. All of the laptops I wanted were >$1000. Some >>>>$1000. It was not looking good.

Truthfully, the thought of setting up another computer makes me want to hurl. I have this one just the way I want it damnit (sans external keyboard, wireless mouse and cell phone synch at the moment).

I am a dedicated Woot shopper. If you haven't been there you should check it out. They sell one item per day usually at a very good price. Now, I'll be the first to admit (and so will they) that some of the stuff is crap. The Woot writers have talent unsurpassed when it comes to product descriptions.

Forget Black Metal. It’s over. It’s had its day. Blue Metal is the new thing—specifically, the blue metal of this Toshiba Onyx Blue Metallic Satellite Notebook.

Don’t believe us? Well, here’s a point-by-point comparison clearly demonstrating the superiority of Blue Metal. Compare, contrast, and concede, unbeliever.

STYLE:
BLUE METAL - Eye-catching style in a newly redesigned half-pipe casing
BLACK METAL - Chubby Scandinavians in corpsepaint and bondage gear

Advantage – Blue Metal

SOUND:
BLUE METAL - Harman/Kardon speakers for premium sound
BLACK METAL - Ossicle-rattling onslaught of thrash guitar

Advantage – Blue Metal

STAYING CONNECTED:
BLUE METAL - With a built-in webcam, high-speed wireless, four USB ports and an i.LINK IEEE-1394 port, you can communicate with anyone, anywhere, anytime
BLACK METAL - The “Dark War” divided Norwegian and Finnish metal fans and stoked animosity that persists to this day

Advantage: Blue Metal

FIRE SAFETY:
BLUE METAL - Of the many spontaneous laptop computer combustions on record, we’re unaware of any involving Toshibas
BLACK METAL - Inspired over 50 Norwegian church arsons through the mid-’90s

Advantage: Blue Metal

WHAT’S INSIDE:
BLUE METAL - Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology
BLACK METAL - Satan

Advantage: Toss-up

Now, one of the coolest things that Woot does is called a Woot-off. During a Woot-off they sell non-stop. As soon as one item is sold out another item is put up. These are fun and you will see all kinds of things on the block.

Yesterday, while I was mourning the demise of my laptop, calling the insurance company to check on repair coverage, setting up a date for me to drop it off with the repair guy while simulataneously looking for a replacement online Woot was having a Woot-off.

While this laptop is still functional, I cannot live without the usb ports. My kids, on the other hand, could use it to do homework. The Zooks boys already have two desktops adjacent to each other on a long counter in the basement where they play innumerable games and watch YouTube videos (yes, I have the parental controls on!). Now that Zooks97 is starting to have to do homework on the computer he has been whining about how distracting it is to try to do it while Zooks99 is playing wild and noisy games. Enter mostly functional laptop.

That however does nothing for my problems.

I STILL NEED A FULLY FUNCTIONAL LAPTOP!

Imagine my surprise when this bad boy popped up on Woot. It was almost like manna from heaven except you can't eat it and it's blue. Ok, ok, it's nothing like manna from heaven. After confirming that it had everything I wanted except a TV tuner (sacrifices sometimes have to be made), flying the idea by The Other Half, and conferring with my friend (not Zerb) I pressed the I WANT ONE button and then proceeded to immediately have buyers remorse.

This bad boy had wireless N to go with the new TrendNet Wireless N router I just bought.

Looks like you know where you'll find me next Tuesday after the Fed Ex Truck stops at my house.

Wish me luck.