It’s purty and sparkly and new.

I made the decision on this lappytop in possibly record time (for me). So only a few weeks of weighing up every possible option, as opposed to several months. Maybe I’m getting better, but it’s possibly a one-off lapse.

Anyways, I got me a one of these: Dell Vostro 1500. If you’ve never heard of it, it’s basically the small business equivalent of the Inspiron 1520. But the Vostro does not come in pink, alas.

So why this one? Far be it from me to admit to extreme cheapness, but it was the best system I found for only slightly more than the upper limit of what I was willing to pay. Basically I needed something meaty enough to handle the demands of my workings (design is something of a computron whore), as well as capable of running the occasional post-2002 game, should I feel the need to blow stuff up (I frequently do). So it had to have a decent graphics card, and that is of course where the extra moneys ended up going (Nvidia 8600M GT if you care). Handily Dell had a special on the 1500 – with free increased RAM and free shipping – so I made a snap decision. Over three days. Three snappy days!

I won’t do a boring technical review. I will say it’s a hefty wee beast, but since it’s essentially a desktop replacement I shouldn’t be lugging it around everywhere anyway. I’m happy with it, even getting used to the evil that is Vista. Apparently monitor quality is touch and go on el Vostrono, and I don’t think I got one of the coveted super smooth LG dealios, but if this is what people consider ‘grainy’ then they are fussy mcfussersons and should come check out the ghosting on my desktop’s LCD. They would cry.

So I’m sprawled here on the couch with a wireless keyboard, slowly turning into this guy. It is so much more comfortable than scrunching over at the desk – although possibly less so when Bee insists my lap is his and I am forced to accomodate him, keyboard, mouse, occasionally Fizzgig and usually Sam.

I picked up a sleeve for it for cheaps, while I try to find a bag that isn’t ugly as heck, HUGENORMOUS or costs a millionty dollars. I very much like the Crumpler range (and attitude), but unfortunately the price range can’t be described as ‘extremely cheap’, so I keep looking.

Then the next step will be prettying it up somewhat. Hello Kitty? Maybe not. But these guys have options! I just need to find something perfikt. Or someone who keeps whining about being bored can find the perfikt look for me! Hooray!