Well, the monolith finally gave up the ghost. With a subtle thunk, it decided that staying on was all too much and that it should go and have an indefinite lie down.
I was always a fan of the monolith, my great big CRT widescreen TV that dominated the flat. It was a statement of intentions in a way. “I’m going to watch movies, lots of them. Deal with it or LEAVE!” A simple message we can all agree but one that pretty much summed up its primary use. 🙂
As already said, my bestest friend in the world of electronics is now gone. Its replacement a rather swanky new Samsung all singing all dancing high def thing. And very pleasant it is too!
What’s really throwing me is how I can be merrily sat here with a can of Coke, wireless keyboard on lap, tapping away at this blog post on a PC attached to my TV. Didn’t Tomorrow’s World have something like this years ago?!?
Anyhow, enough of this typing stuff, net tops and TVs are all well and good but I need to go watch a movie!
August 1st, 2009 in
Ed's Rants and Raves |
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Not to be outdone by her majesty and her Samsung NC10, it is now my turn to own a cheap bit of computing equipment that blows your socks off.
Instead of going for the netbook route, I decided that I still quite like the desktop idea (mostly due to the fact that I like to work with a monitor and keyboard of my choice, not the manufacturer’s best guess at what I want). Alongside the development of the mobile netbook idea, the desktop variant, the net top has been quietly getting more and more appealing.
Having read numerous reviews, I thought I’d take the plunge and go for Acer’s Aspire Revo R3600. Finding it listed for £250 at Amazon.co.uk, it seemed rude not to give it a go.
I’ve owned it for one day now and already I think its brilliant. OK, so the bundled keyboard and mouse are clacky affairs (not really a problem, I’ve already got my cordless ones so I just replaced them) but it is a cheap desktop, what do you expect. There’s no monitor either so rather than a netbook costing £300 with its screen in the case, Acer didn’t need to spend a penny on the visuals. This means more money for the actual components.
Running Vista Home Premium, it has the capability to scoot off into Media Centre and look all wizzy. I have to admit, I’m impressed with the way it works and the HDMI socket available as an output is just begging for me to attach this to a TV.
Something always has to give however and in this case its raw computing power. Although I’m told it’ll happily render Bluray if you attach a player, I have found that bootup times are a little longer than my old PC (about 2 mins). It being £350 cheaper on the day of purchase however, I think you can let that go. Its only got an Atom processor!
Although I agree that this is probably best suited as a “second PC” or definitely one for the kids to sort out their homework on, I still think that’s selling this little trooper short.
If you’re looking for a tiny desktop PC that sips power rather than gulping it, doesn’t make a sound, looks good, attaches to the back of your monitor, Â has built in HDMI and a memory card reader, buy this PC.
I don’t regret this purchase one little bit.
Just make sure you have an external DVD drive, your own monitor, keyboard and mouse!
Hey there devoted reader, I know you’re there, don’t be shy!
I’ve got this week off on leave chilling out in a rented place down near Plymouth.
The point of this particular post was just about the weird stuff you can usually witness travelling on Britain’s roads. Never can you travel more than a few miles of old Blighty before she presents you with yet another reason to question how the hell half the known world was coloured pink in old maps. Take as an example if you will, the motorway service station.
Here, nestled in the fumes of a nearby motorway can you indulge in such delicacies as the overpriced Ginsters or the truly mystery meat burger.
What really got me thinking was the sheer amount of people we saw at one particular services on our way down here. The place is basically a hut with a Wimpey bar and a Costa stand in it; place was RAMMED! You couldn’t have fit many more in if you’d been a sardine cannery designer. Weird when you think how little there was to offer.
I hear on the continent they have family run stops that have never heard of chains or cheap crap sandwiches sold at Michelin starred prices. Obviously not something the Romans left us with. Roads, yes. Guaranteed worthwhile stops along their lengths….. Well, no.
June 27th, 2009 in
Ed's Rants and Raves |
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They finally managed to compromise! I honestly thought we were on our way towards the birth of a new sport but it wasn’t to be.
Nice to see Mosley’s going to stand down…. Did I just write that?!? 🙂
June 24th, 2009 in
F1 |
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Hi there! I know its been a while since I last wrote anything up here so, to my two readers, I apologise unreservedly!
I’ve been working away doing site moves in Manchester last weekend and now London this one. I’ve done more miles and stayed longer in hotels over the last two weeks than I have in the two years preceding. Its tiring but fun!
There is something I’ve noticed above all however. Everything they say about going somewhere on business is so true! You don’t get a chance to really see the place you’re in, you just scoot across town to the place you’re working that weekend and get cracking.
The architecture can’t pass you by however and I have to say I was utterly gobsmacked by some of the wonderful buildings they’ve put up in Manchester’s business districts. Really something special.
London of course can trump that. Then again, I would say that, London houses the most gorgous building in the world as far as I’m concerned. The Gherkin really is stunning close up.
Anyhow, hotel dinner is calling. Its not great but it’ll do I suppose. Ta ta for now! 🙂
June 13th, 2009 in
Ed's Rants and Raves |
Comments Off on A Tale of Three Cities!
