I can't remember whether you've decided what kind of new laptop you're getting, but if you're still deciding and are considering a Mac, here's my two cents.
I also had a motherboard die on a laptop I had; to be fair, it was an old Dell and a while ago. (The computer was still covered, but getting it replaced after it died *literally* the night before my grades were due was *not fun*, esp. since I was on the east coast for part of that. I vividly remember the Dell service guy working on replacing the motherboard in my mom's apartment.)
I have to say that the Mac laptops I've had have been more reliable for me. I've had small problems with them--the trackpad or the keyboard--but not motherboards or monitors like I had with Dell. I realize that that's anecdotal, but at this point, I don't think anyone could talk me into going back. (also, universe, I am not daring you to test that theory by causing something major to go wrong with this one. Just sayin'.)
Also, one of the things I like about Apple is that although Applecare isn't cheap (I think about $325 for three years. You do get the first year free, and you can sign up for an additional two years any time during that first year, which spreads the payment out over time since Macs are so damned expensive in the first place), the service I've gotten at the Genuis Bar or at a Mac authorized service center has always been really, really first rate.
(Fair warning: If I were you, if you decide to go into an Apple Store for any reason--to look at Macs and get your hands on them or if you do buy one and need to go in for service or whatever, I would try to avoid taking the kids with me if I were in your position. The sheer volume of noise in the stores makes me want to hide by myself in my apartment for about 6 hours afterwards, and while there are places for kids to sit there (I think all the ones I've been in have a lower table with kid sized chairs around it), I feel obligated to warn you that *I* feel dramatically over stimulated when I leave one. I've been to at least two in California and at least two in Massachusetts, and while some are better than others, I've never been in one that doesn't make a Cheesecake Factory look like a library in terms of its sound levels. If I have that response, I can only guess that the kids would feel really overwhelmed by the noise levels. The smaller stores are slightly less awful; I was at the one at Chestnut Hill with mom over the winter holidays, and I didn't want to put earplugs in, but the bigger stores are just AWFUL on that front.)
At any rate, whatever decision you have made or do make, I do hope you're over the worst laptop luck.
As for last night's ep of Arrow, well, I don't expect quality anything from the show, but I assumed that we were supposed to see Jim Dresden's Laurel's dad's suspicion as:
1. Proof that drug dealers in television series seem to sell drugs in hip nightclubs all the time, so any cop would look to see if drugs were being dealt out of a new club
2. Proof that Laurel's dad has changed since he doesn't rush in and assume without thinking about how Laurel would respond
3. Something else I've managed to forget about.
Anyway, crossing my fingers for you on the tech front.
no subject
I also had a motherboard die on a laptop I had; to be fair, it was an old Dell and a while ago. (The computer was still covered, but getting it replaced after it died *literally* the night before my grades were due was *not fun*, esp. since I was on the east coast for part of that. I vividly remember the Dell service guy working on replacing the motherboard in my mom's apartment.)
I have to say that the Mac laptops I've had have been more reliable for me. I've had small problems with them--the trackpad or the keyboard--but not motherboards or monitors like I had with Dell. I realize that that's anecdotal, but at this point, I don't think anyone could talk me into going back. (also, universe, I am not daring you to test that theory by causing something major to go wrong with this one. Just sayin'.)
Also, one of the things I like about Apple is that although Applecare isn't cheap (I think about $325 for three years. You do get the first year free, and you can sign up for an additional two years any time during that first year, which spreads the payment out over time since Macs are so damned expensive in the first place), the service I've gotten at the Genuis Bar or at a Mac authorized service center has always been really, really first rate.
(Fair warning: If I were you, if you decide to go into an Apple Store for any reason--to look at Macs and get your hands on them or if you do buy one and need to go in for service or whatever, I would try to avoid taking the kids with me if I were in your position. The sheer volume of noise in the stores makes me want to hide by myself in my apartment for about 6 hours afterwards, and while there are places for kids to sit there (I think all the ones I've been in have a lower table with kid sized chairs around it), I feel obligated to warn you that *I* feel dramatically over stimulated when I leave one. I've been to at least two in California and at least two in Massachusetts, and while some are better than others, I've never been in one that doesn't make a Cheesecake Factory look like a library in terms of its sound levels. If I have that response, I can only guess that the kids would feel really overwhelmed by the noise levels. The smaller stores are slightly less awful; I was at the one at Chestnut Hill with mom over the winter holidays, and I didn't want to put earplugs in, but the bigger stores are just AWFUL on that front.)
At any rate, whatever decision you have made or do make, I do hope you're over the worst laptop luck.
As for last night's ep of Arrow, well, I don't expect quality anything from the show, but I assumed that we were supposed to see
Jim Dresden'sLaurel's dad's suspicion as:1. Proof that drug dealers in television series seem to sell drugs in hip nightclubs all the time, so any cop would look to see if drugs were being dealt out of a new club
2. Proof that Laurel's dad has changed since he doesn't rush in and assume without thinking about how Laurel would respond
3. Something else I've managed to forget about.
Anyway, crossing my fingers for you on the tech front.