Beware the Impulse Buy
Apr 30th 2007
Julia LondonMy Life As A Plebe
I’ve had my laptop for five years. I love my laptop. My guess is that it weighs 23 pounds, is about the size of the Austin telephone book, and has a full-sized keyboard. It’s been dropped twice—both times on the little wireless thingie that sticks out, no less—and survived.
But all good things must come to an end. It started acting weird two months ago. It’s gotten progressively worse, and Saturday, in the middle of a marathon writing session (why do I always save this stuff for Saturday??), it died, DOA.
So Sunday, I got up and said “I’ve had that laptop for five years. I am a writer! I deserve a good laptop!” And I marched down to the Apple Store – first one in, practically – and bought a souped-up Macbook. Souped-up Macbooks are not cheap.
I couldn’t help it! This puppy could launch one of my dogs to the moon! It’s got all these cool goo-gaws and really neat little icons. I sure couldn’t take pictures of myself with my old laptop.
It’s a sweet machine…but there is only one little teeny-tiny problem: I’ve never used an Apple machine, so now I am floundering around like it’s my first day in school.
This is what happens to me every time I impulse shop. I get in over my head. I spend way more money that I might have done had I thought about it carefully and researched it. If I had done so this time, I probably would have found a pc laptop with all the same gizmos at half what I ended up paying. Now, I have a laptop with an apple on the back that I am having to learn in the middle of a deadline.
But I am going to love it. I am. I swear I am!
Have any memorable impulse buys you want to share? Which are you, Mac or PC? And do you have any tips for an Apple Virgin?
40 Comments »
40 Responses to “Beware the Impulse Buy”
KMB25 on 01 May 2007 at 12:10 am #
Julia,
Hehe…I try never to impulse buy anymore. That said..I impulsively buy books like crazy, when there’s a perfectly good library right down the road!
My husband bought me a macbook for christmas (my last computer was a dell desktop) and I absolutely LOVE it…although I know what you mean–there are plenty of things that I’ve had to learn about apple computers that are different from PC’s.
Here’s a few cool tips I learned (that worked differently on my PC):
Open Apple + C = copy
Open Apple + V= paste
These I use the most!! Also, sometimes Safari sucks (it has its limitations, as do we all) my hubby downloaded firefox for me and it’s fabulous!
Also, hubby Insists that I do WEEKLY repair permissions…or whatever they’re called. You’ll find them on your disk utility…it’s something like defragging but cooler and doesn’t take as long.
I think that’s about it…or all I can think of for now as my brain’s shutting down…it’s bedtime!
~Kim
Jenni on 01 May 2007 at 12:10 am #
I am a complete Mac person, although I didn’t start out that way. I used PCs exclusively until about 10 years ago, when I was forced to switch to a Mac at my new job. I have never once looked back. It does take some time getting used to the Mac platform after using a PC, but in the end, it is much easier to troubleshoot, and I can do so many fun things with the Mac that I never quite got the hang of on a PC.
Best of luck learning OSX. Before long, you’ll be cruising through your system preferences like an old pro!
Brandy on 01 May 2007 at 2:36 am #
I, personally, use a Dell laptop that is 2 years old. BUT, my hubs has killed 2 PC’s(with his schoolwork for his Bachelor’s and now Masters)in the past 4 years. So, I took all the facts I had gleaned over the internet about Mac’s and started telling him about them. Finally 2 months ago he gave in and bought a MacBook Pro. He has not stopped grinning every time he uses it. Like Kim, he downloaded Firefox (wonderful browser that I recommended) and has been doing great ever since. But the way, he has the Mac’s are VERY user friendly! (Maybe someday I’ll buy one!)
Does a house count as an impulse buy?
Carly Phillips on 01 May 2007 at 5:19 am #
I am an Apple addict. I have a Macbook Pro. You can drop me a line any time for help. I’d say it took me two weeks for the learning curve. The best thing someone told me during the transition from PC to Mac was TSS. Think Simple, Stupid. Something you think should take three clicks? Think of the simplest way to do it and try that. Generally it works. Congrats. You’ll never go back!
Stacy ~ on 01 May 2007 at 5:33 am #
Well I use my computer for mostly fun stuff, so when I get ready to buy a new one, I’m not sure which way I’ll go. I’ve heard great things about both. And bad things about both LOL.
Yep, totally impulse buy when it comes to books. Sunday I went in to get the latest Kresley Cole, and ended up with 5 books instead of 1. Not that I’m complaining, but this is where my control eludes me and I can’t help but give into temptation.
Sabrina Jeffries on 01 May 2007 at 5:53 am #
Very interesting, since I JUST DID THIS about a month ago! Broke a PC I’d had for less than a year (and had replaced the keyboard on for mucho bucks–see yesterday’s blog comments
), and at the urging of my brother, went out to the Mac store and bought a Macbook. He had told me to do it because the new ones have a Windows side (you knew that, right?–you can set them up to run Windows?). But once I got it, I just switched over.
Yes, it took a little getting used to, but I LOVE how easy it is, how quickly it boots, how nothing takes a million steps . . . everything. I’ve found a few annoyances (mostly in Word–I’m convinced that the Evil Microsoft Empire
purposely made Word have a few glitches in Mac), but nothing compared to the daily delight and ease of using it.
Sabrina Jeffries on 01 May 2007 at 6:00 am #
I’d advise you to take the time to READ those pages about the differences between Windows and Mac. It will save you grief. In case, you don’t, here’s a quick primer:
The Command key (the curly-looking thing left of the space bar) is the same as Ctrl in Windows
BUT
the Ctrl key, plus clicking the mouse, will give the right click feature in Windows
Fn + Delete will delete forward the way the Delete key does in Windows (I guess you’ve already figured out that the Delete on a Mac acts as the Backspace key in Win)
Word, Properties is where you find the same menu as in Word, Tools, Options
I too downloaded Firefox. Didn’t like Safari.
E-mail me if you have more specific questions. I love my new Mac!
TinaLouiseF on 01 May 2007 at 8:05 am #
I have a Gateway laptop.
I bought a 1992 Explorer in 2003 as kind of an impulse buy. Found it on-line at the Nissan dealer. Had my mother look at it (she is in the towing business). Drove the vehicle once and bought it.
Julia London on 01 May 2007 at 8:17 am #
Thanks, you guys — I will take you up on that offer for help. I use firefox on my pc — I didn’t think to download it my mac! What a great idea!
Kasey on 01 May 2007 at 8:59 am #
My impulse bus involve books, movies and clothes.
I am still a PC girl. I bought a Dell about 2 years ago and it is still working great (knock on wood). I have heard some great things about MACs so for my next computer I might look into it but I am hoping my Dell lasts me awhile yet.
Julia London on 01 May 2007 at 9:57 am #
Tina Louise, that is really BIG impulse buy, but apparently it’s still working for you, right?
I already sent this once, but it got lost. I said I am unable to control my impulses when shopping. I try going without credit cards, but they look up your account. I tried taking only cash, but found the Amex card floating around in my wallet. Then I decided I just wouldn’t shop…and Nordstrom’s started sending me their sales online. Its a never ending battle.
But if I had all the money back I’d spent on clothes I never wore more than once, I could have bought the Macbook Pro, LOL!
KMB25 on 01 May 2007 at 10:02 am #
Carly and Brandy–my hubby has a Macbook pro and he LOVES it! Although, I keep trying to tell him, while his may have more get up and go power…mine is cuter (and smaller!)
I have discovered so many things that I just like so much more about the mac than I ever did about my dell. Sabrina’s right, it takes a little getting used to (the evil Microsoft word thing is so on the ball) but there are so many cooler and easier-to-use programs!
I’ve become such a mac convert it’s scary
~Kim
Karen Hawkins on 01 May 2007 at 10:04 am #
Oh, I’m getting ready to do the same thing. I had/have a Sony Viao that has crashed SIX times in the last year. I kid you now — SIX times. And every time it does, we lose everything. I always back up things everyday by emailing my work to myself.
However, I bought my daughter a MacBook for her college years and had it at my house for a week before she picked it up. Oh. My. Gosh. She almost didn’t get it! But I came to my senses and let her have it. In two weeks, though, I’m off to buy one for myself and I’M SO EXCITED!
By then, Julia will be able to tutor me (She’ll do anything for Godiva. Just sayin’ … ) and it will be an easy, smooooth transition.
Btw, I’m a huge Firefox fan, myself. LOVE it!
Julia London on 01 May 2007 at 10:47 am #
Yes….but would I do anything for jello? HAHAHA
gannon on 01 May 2007 at 10:54 am #
My PC laptop died a few months ago and I took the plunge and bought a MacBook Pro. It’s so much fun, but did take a little getting used to. It’s simplicity compared to a PC can’t be beat!
We still have a desktop PC, that’s hanging in there. Who knows, when it dies, we may go Mac there, too.
Ronlyn on 01 May 2007 at 11:05 am #
I soooo want a laptop. I don’t know what I’d use it for as I have to wrestle my DH & 3 year old for computer time as it is….and when they finally feel sorry enough for me to let me use the computer I’m only on it for about 5 minutes before I’m up making dinner or something else. *rolling my eyes*
And I admit, I’m an impulse shopper 99% of the time. I see something, it looks good, I buy it. That’s it. Drives my husband crazy. LOL. Some of my biggest impulse buys: a car. Once of those cute sports cars. I met my 6′2 DH a month later, and he couldn’t fit into the car, so bye-bye car. Then there was the leather coat I just HAD to have. That I actually still own and wear on occasion. I know there are more, but I’m drawing a blank.
No computer advice for you, but lots of good computer vibes!!
Claudia Dain on 01 May 2007 at 11:49 am #
OMG! I just did this, too! Switched from a PC to a MacBookPro and I LOVE IT. I finally feel like I can “do” computer. LOL
Julia, this was the smartest impulse buy you ever made! My personal mantra regarding impulse buys is that they are always the right decision. Your subconscious knows tons of junk you’d process and filter out, if given the chance.
Sabrina, I had no idea you’d switched to a Mac! I’m sure that after 2 weeks, you know more than I do about how to use it than I do after 4 months!
Julia London on 01 May 2007 at 11:53 am #
I am so glad to know there are so many Mac users out there! My biggest problem right now is organizing files. That is taking a little time — but I have a friend in town who is hopefully going to show me how to do it quickly.
So far, am loving it.
Anyone know how to change the screen resolution to make the print a little bit bigger?
Oh Oh Oh!! I forgot my other horrible impulse purchase! A Cole Hahn bag. Like I didn’t drop enough dough on the Mac….a girl’s gotta have the right purse, doesn’t she?
SuzyQ on 01 May 2007 at 1:18 pm #
I’m still stuck in PC land. My DH wants a new laptop so I was thinking of getting him a MAC now that is able to run Windows too (some of the programs he runs will only work on a PC).
As for impulse buying? Oh yeah, I’m real familiar with that. Stuff just keeps calling out to me “buy me, buy me!” as I pass by. The most expensive thing I ever bought was a millenium edition Lladro. It looks great in my living room
Sabrina Jeffries on 01 May 2007 at 1:39 pm #
Claudia, I didn’t have time to tell you before you ran out of town to that dull old place, what’s it called? England?
You’ll be happy to know that I was influenced partly by you. I figured that if YOU could learn it as fast as you seemed to be doing, then it shouldn’t be too bad for me. Tee hee.
BTW, thanks–I love my MAC!
TheNightPoet on 01 May 2007 at 1:58 pm #
I am more of a PC type of girl. I have used Mac’s before for my Journalism classes (when I was in them) and it was hard for me to use them. I hate how you can’t right click. It’s annoying. I’m so used to PC’s that I can’t adjust to a Mac. lol
I can’t think of any impluse buys I’ve had at the moment. I’m not sure I really have ever bought something on impulse. I’m one of those money concious people who keeps things in perspective when I am buy things.
Good luck Juila with figuring out how your Mac works. It sounds pretty cool.
Andrea
Julia London on 01 May 2007 at 4:56 pm #
SuzyQ I don’t know what that is. Tell me in case I feel the impulsive need to buy it
Stacy S on 01 May 2007 at 6:53 pm #
I’m a PC person, don’t know a lot about macs. I once bought myself a diamond necklace and earring set. That’s my most impulsive buy.
dbrown3400 on 01 May 2007 at 7:20 pm #
My total compulsion buy is books, so much so that if someone mentions their favorite author in a genre I like, I will search until I find their entire backlist — without having read a word — especially if the book has duke in the title. (Well maybe not the real expensive ones.)
My approach to computers is based on work experience. My first job was with IBM 360s that had the skill of a GameBoy. We used punched cards, reels of tape and programmed in machine language. I worked with PCs when they first came out and Macs later on when they were used primarily for their graphic capabilities. No one cosidered them for the office.
I was lucky enough to debug a virus at Squibb beside McAfee when he was charging $50,000+ for his Virus program. I debugged one alone at the UN. That was scary. I taught computer networks for years and used Windows from its inception, attending Bill Gates announcement of Windows 3.1 in Redmond, WA.
tbc
dbrown3400 on 01 May 2007 at 7:22 pm #
I was fortunate to travel North America and meet wonderful people. My PC now suits my needs. All this only made me older but it was one hell of a ride.
Donna
SuzyQ on 01 May 2007 at 8:06 pm #
Julia, Lladro is based in Spain and they make beautiful porcelain statues. They also sell under the name Nao, which is their less expensive line. One day I hope to make the trip to Spain to see the City of Porcelain.
Julia London on 01 May 2007 at 8:12 pm #
Oooh, that sounds wonderful, SuzyQ. I would love that.
Stacy S – I love diamonds. In fact, I wear two. One is an engagement ring from my wonderful DH. The other is…well, its a diamond ring on my right hand. Love them. fortunately, I have not been in a jewelry store lately.
WOW, donna! That’s amazing. I remember the first work computer I had was some iteration of the IBM, first generation. That’s when you pretty much had to write code to get it to do anything. It was not what I would call user friendly, LOL. Man, they have come a long way in the last 20 years!
Suzanne Enoch on 01 May 2007 at 8:18 pm #
Ah, my craziest impulse buy is probably the 7-foot giraffe statue from Toscano. It’s in my foyer. My living room is done in a Colonial African style, so it does go with. And nobody else in the neighborhood has one. *g*
lisapbailey on 01 May 2007 at 8:20 pm #
Julia-
I am and have been a loyal Mac user for too many years to reveal. The best thing for a virgin is Apple Pro Care. You can buy 1 hour of personal assistance each week for 1 year for about $100. They do the “tutoring” at your local Apple store. It’s been great for me and I’m not a virgin!
Have fun. Macs are the very best!
TinaLouiseF on 01 May 2007 at 9:09 pm #
When I purchased the Explorer, it took most of the money I had at the credit union. The only thing wrong with it was the air conditioner needed to be recharged. Don’t really need AC in Montana. I was going to get it fixed before I drove to Arizona last fall, but not for $800. Open windows and 70 mph on the interstate was sufficient.
The major thing I don’t like about laptops is the cursor jumping around. I’ll be typing along and the next thing I know, I’m typing three rows above where I was.
Nicole Jordan on 01 May 2007 at 10:11 pm #
Donna, that is soooo cool!! Wow. What an experience. You helped make history. That’s so much more impressive than my diapers, lol.
I’m not much of an impulse buyer usually, but a year or two ago I made my dh buy a new 4-wheel drive over one weekend — a Nissan Murano — so we could get up the steep hills in our subdivision in ice and snow. He didn’t want it then, but now he thinks it’s the best car he’s ever driven.
As for Apples, I had one of the very first models when the rest of the world was using DOS, but when it conked out, I switched to Gateways and then Dells and would never go back. Too many incompatability issues for me — but I’m glad it’s working for you.
NicoleJ
Julia London on 01 May 2007 at 10:25 pm #
Suzanne, when you drop these comments about your house–giraffes, movie posters, Star Wars — I envision the wildest things. I really hope that one day I get to see it
.
Lisa, I declined the procare, but I am thinking of going back to get it. There are just too many cool things that would be nice to understand, LOL
Tina Louise, I did not know until I was well into my 20s that you could even get a car without AC. I can’t believe you drove to Arizona without it! Yeah, its a dry heat…but its HEAT
Nicole….I’ve always had Dells and did really well with them. But my anxiety about vista thing and okay, the TV ads, drew me to the mac. I am loving it!
Kelly Ann on 01 May 2007 at 10:40 pm #
I just got my 1st laptop (around Feb), an HP w/ the Vista. I loooooove it, so far I haven’t had any problems, and with any luck it will continue that way. I’ve never used the MAC, I would love to try it sometime. Good luck with your new computer. I loved it when I got mine, haven’t put it down yet! I’m also a little selfish, I won’t let anyone else touch mine, though my husband has his own laptop and my kids can use our old pc. So I guess there not too bad off! Ha-ha!
KMB25 on 01 May 2007 at 11:23 pm #
Julia, I just thought of another thing for the Mac….
My hubby recommends the Apple Extended Care, which you can buy any time before the 1 yr warranty is up..(probably best to wait until the year is almost up). It’ll cost around $300-350, but it’s an additional 3 yr warranty and my husband has so far gotten his money’s worth out of it on his first Mac–a G4 Powerbook. He used it so much that he pretty much killed the hardrive and some other things and he took it to Apple, they shipped it to California and basically sent him back his computer with entirely new insides. The only thing still the same was the shell it was all in!
Now he has a Macbook Pro and loves it! I figure if you use your Mac as much as he uses his…you’ll probably need it! DH is a musician/composer and does most of his compositions on the computer as well as recording, mixing, arranging, etc. He tends to kill a good computer about every two years!
~Kim
Julia London on 02 May 2007 at 8:12 am #
Oh, Kelly Ann — That goes without saying. No one touches the mac, LOL. I tell them its too complicated.
Kim, I did get the extended care. I’m glad I did!
Sherri Browning Erwin on 02 May 2007 at 8:38 am #
I’m sorry, did you ask a question? I’m too busy wondering how many pictures you took of yourself before you found the keeper. (muwhahaha). Very nice, btw.
MJ on 02 May 2007 at 11:47 am #
So…. this is Eve’s Apple? (-;
Karen Hawkins on 02 May 2007 at 9:29 pm #
MJ, hehehehehehehehe! Very clever!
But the ‘Eve’s Apple’ comment does make one wonder what Julia London’s doing web camming? I mean … it IS web camming, isn’t it? When she takes pictures of herself and posts them places?
As if she needs another distraction. Now we’ll all be seeing Goddess Posts like, “Do you like my hair this way? . . . Or THIS way?” and “Should I wear this shirt? . . . Or THIS shirt?”
Sheesh! I can hear the Daily Page Count-o-meter dropping as we speak!
Sandi on 03 May 2007 at 10:39 am #
I’m a little late, but I wanted to say I’m also new to the world of Mac. I too bought the extended Apple Care, but so far haven’t used it. If me with my limited tech skills can figure it out anyone can!
My proudest moment…getting my email set up on it. My least proudest…being able to receive said mail, but not send. Then my proudest again…debugging that problem on my own!
Sandi
Julia London on 03 May 2007 at 10:10 pm #
That’s exactly what I am going to do with it Karen H! Be prepared to dress me daily!
Sandi, I was very proud that I set up my email too. And downloaded firefox! My next big challenge — loading all the stuff from my external disk on to this computer and getting it in the right place. Wish me luck!