At the airport...

Sitting in my room after a few beers and a burger in the hotel bar. Managed to configure the MacBook to work with the T-Mobile 3G modem I bought a while back. Speed seems to be reasonable now that I am in a 3G area and the laptop has a USB 2.0 port to plug it into (old iBook didn't, so couldn't test it fully before)
Flight tomorrow to SF so time to get the old noggin down so I can rise early for the shuttle bus to the terminal...

New traveling companion...

So, today I picked up a new Macbook. The 2.4GHz version. I decided that with the exchange rate on the £ being so crappy right now there was no point holding off until I got to the US to pick up a new laptop.
I managed to get some educational discount on the purchase, as well as the reduction of 2.5% VAT, so the price came to £990.

If I had bought one on the other side of the pond then it would have cost the equivalent of £1199 (about $1730 with state tax).

My trusty 8 year old 600MHz iBook G3 is going to be wiped clean and handed over to my wife once I return from MWSF.

Macbook ✔

New MacBooks...

Just been able to view one in the flesh - very nice.
May have to splash out for one to replace my ageing, though still serviceable, iBook. That already has a new home if I happen to get a new laptop.

Bit disappointed that the backlit keyboard is only available on the 2.4GHz model - does that mean the lesser models aren't used in the same sort of conditions? C'mon Apple...

And the pricing of the new range is getting a few folk pissed off - the only thing I can say is maybe the new unibody process is a factor for the increase in price - not that I am excusing Apple for the price hike. I guess carving solid blocks of aluminium is a bit more expensive than clicking together parts made from moulded plastic.

That being said I am veering towards the 2.4GHz model anyway - just to give me a bit more 'oomph' for the future. The old iBook is a 600MHz model and while it is happy working with 10.4, it does start to show it's age when things get busy.