Flying, generally, isn't a completely bad thing, if done properly. One of the things that has to be done "properly" is learning how to pack. Baggage should be light, as well as the non-clothing things that are now travel essentals.
I've been a MacHead for close to two decades now. I'm of the opinion that the MacOS is the best operating system for end user use and general headache avoidance. However, after spending the past couple of years lugging a MacBrickBook around the world, I've come to a realization about what I really use a comp for when I'm traveling.
Email, websurfing, blogging, booking travel, photo dumping (from the camera's memory card) and Skype.
Many of the netbooks out there can do all these things AND are a lot easier to lug around airports and the like. The problem is that the wizards at Infinite Loop refuse to build a netbook. Period. Which is a pain, considering the last true portable Apple made was the 12" aluminum that, if you ignore the warped cases, the G4 that generated enough heat to make shabu shabu and the squishy keyboard, was the perfect size for flashpacking. So, since Apple won't make one, guess it's time to make one myself. Kinda.
I held my nose and ordered a Dell Inspiron Mini 9 netbook. Since it's bad enough to order a Dell Dull, and worse off to have to pay for windoze, I ordered the bare bones stock model with Unbuntu on a 4 GB SSD, 512K RAM, a webcam and bluetooth since it's MUCH cheaper to order the upgrade bits through third party vendors. 32 GB SSD and 2 GB RAM for under US$100.
Now, why have I sullied my credit card to a company that makes crap pee cees that only IT geeks and people that don't know any better worship? Because, they got it right with the Mini 9. It's a good form factor, the screen is not too big or too small and you can actually do real work with it. Did I mention that you can install OSX on it? Yes you can!
Now here's the question. Are these netbooks made of precious metals? Made by hand by skilled artesians? Nope. Then why does it take a MONTH?? I'll update when and if it ever gets here...
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