Thursday 21 August 2008

PC, or not PC?

Oh buggeration.

The big computer - the one upstairs that gets used for non-bloggy things - is officially on the fritz. Well, I assume it is, at least. The fact that it won't load up, preferring instead to emit a regular ticking noise from the direction of the hard-drive, confirms my suspicion. This is not good.

It's not good because my iTunes library is on it. It's not good because a lot of my photos are on there, too. But mainly it's not good because it might involve buying a new computer.

The expense is one thing. Given the choice between having the money in my account or in someone else's, it's a no-brainer. However, needs must when the Devil vomits in your kettle. In any case, the actual pain stems from the buying process itself.

I can't be the first person to have noticed that PC World is Pac-Man made real, can I? When you're just browsing the aisles, you can't avoid the ghosts, sorry, sales attendants, no matter which corner you turn. They're stalking you. Yes, you can indeed help me, callow youth. By naffing off until I need you. But when you actually want to buy something, it's like you've eaten a power pellet. They scatter to the four corners of the maze shop. Distress flares wouldn't attract their attention.

Let's say you manage to ensnare one of them, and get to the point where you've decided on a model. There must be some parallel universe where you simply pay up, take your box and leave. But not here. Oh no. For we must first talk about support packages. And extended warranties. What really gets my goat is the look they give you when you say no. It's as if it's the first time they've ever heard the word. The look says:

"I've been in this shop, man and boy, for five-and-twenty years. I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark, near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time. Like tears in rain. Time to die."

To which the response is, "Hang on, are you channelling Rutger Hauer's character from Blade Runner?"

I digress. Maybe I should buy a Mac instead.

7 comments:

wineandroasts said...

Christmas is coming
The goose is getting fat
Please to put an order in
At store.mac!

Melissa said...

I'm a happy mac user. :) Pretty cool if you ask me.

Then again, the only reason I came over here is because you commented on CG's post talking about flat pack furniture and I blogged about IKEA today and it just sort of worked for me.

But I'm glad I came!

Unknown said...

Drink the Kool-Aid.
Buy a Mac.

All the cool kids already have them so you might as well too.
Besides, nothing really says rugged individualism like jumping on the bandwagon.

Seriously, though... buy the Mac.
No pressure, though.

Lois (three-legged-cat) said...

Brilliant post! That's exactly what PC World is like.

(I went into hyper-stress when I decided it was time to buy a new PC. I didn't buy a MAC. I did bribe the network manager at work with much beer. He tracked down a very nice machine at a very nice price at ebuyer, all I did was type in a credit card number. Result.)

Anonymous said...

I have no objection to the hubster buying a Mac, a I have a new Vivienne Westwood bag on the way. Accessory heaven!

wineandroasts said...

This is VERY important:

Katie - It isn't a black patent Empire purse is it?!?

Want it. Need it. Gotta have it.

Anonymous said...

Just get a freekin Mac, man.

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