Being brown in England has its peculiarities. A lot of the shops are run by Asians, first or second generation. Most of them would have come to the UK as unskilled migrants or asylum seekers long time ago. However, today they are all very much British, except they are not.
Couple of weeks ago, I was on my laptop hunt. I decided to visit the local Sony Style outlet in Staines and was contemplating buying my VAIO SZ there (even though costs a couple of hundred quid more there, I felt better about buying in a proper store in case my laptop packs up). This place was run by a couple of Asian jerks (probably Bangladeshi). One of them was busy spitting marketing jargon to a (seemingly wealthy) man and his wife about the virtues of a 50” overpriced LCD TV and how it will help him be a dad. The other one was zealously clicking on his computer. Being a bio-informatician, I obviously knew the importance of clicking and looking busy. The big one called out to him and asked him to attend to me. This guy takes one look at me and gives me “what the hell are you doing here? The cheap discount shop is down the road” look. I explain to him that I’m looking for the VAIO SZ3HP/B (I had done my research).
Sales Jerk: “The ass-zade ? Ummmm, wait, I weell chake”
Me: “Ok”
Sales Jerk: “There is nothing like that”
Me: “Really? It was on your website”
Sales Jerk: “(Pucking Rossogulla) I weell chake on the computer”
After 5mins of fervent and rigorous clicking, the sales jerk realises that such a laptop does exist and is the same one as in the huge poster on the shop window. Suddenly…
Sales Jerk: “You want to buy eet ?”
Me: “ Yeah, but I’d like to take a look at it first to see if I like it”
Sales Jerk: “ So you only want to look ? You weell not buying now?”
Me: “I want to take a look first. Only then will I decide on buying it. Obviously I will take my time before deciding to spend over a grand on a computer”
By this time Sales jerk decides that he doesn’t understand my “Asian” accent.
Sales Jerk is very irritated and decides to get rid of me.
Sales Jerk: “There is no shtock, tell me you want to buying or no buying. Bheecause I weell have to get it from Keengshton shop”
Me: “ When can you get it ?”
Sales Jerk: “ 3 days it weell take”. That’s rubbish ’cos Kingston is 15mins away. I knew he was giving me the usual and was very irritated.
Me: “ Ok listen, I’m in a hurry and I want to buy the Laptop right NOW, will I get the laptop if I go down to Kingston myself, NOW”
Sales Jerk is now confused and realises I’m a real buyer and I‘m pissed.
Sales Jerk “ I weell try and get it tomorrow for you”
I asked him to get the computer and left him with a fake phone number to call as soon as he gets it. I then went home and bought my laptop online. Heh.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
The wrong horsie
Backing the wrong horse has been a favourite past time of mine. I have done it since times immemorial (I really mean selective amnesia here). The crux seems to lie in my sense of absolute judgement. Everyone else seems to be at it, and failing too. That makes me feel better, in the same way we feel good when a friend fails a test (along with us, of course).
My nearly immense intelligence and general knowledge have consistently bettered my choices (assuming the bad ones aren’t counted). I generally use all my collective powers when I have to choose. I only “look” like I have made bad choices in life. But I usually have a strong argument and an even more incredible logic to support my bad choices, when they are being made. All in real-time. Around four or five years ago I decided to replace the computer at home with a better one. Mind you, I had, by this time, read almost every issue of the “Chip” magazine. All that knowledge just HAD to be used. There were two competing RAM technologies in the market. The RD-RAM backed by Intel and DDR by AMD. Technically, both had their uses. Deciding which one’s going to be the future was a tough call. I decided to back Intel and go for the RD-RAM. My logic being Intel had more money power and will weed out AMD off the market in no time. In a years time Intel dropped RD-RAM and backed DDR (a rival technology !!). What were the odds !!? Really. However, at the time, I had people convinced I’m talking sense. A friend of mine who thought that a monitor is the “computer” was completely taken in by my choice when I had explained it to him. Many such decisions have successfully shaped my life. More like an amoeba’s.
In my life I see a lot of such decisions coming. Blu-Ray or HD-DVD for example ? My bets are on the Blu-Ray.
Like this, the wrong horse has always been my favourite horse. It never mattered when it lost. I’d make sure I come up with an explanation of its virtues even before the horse lost. I have always found my joy with the wrong horse and the pain of losing would soon be forgotten. Little wonder I hate Ferrari F1. It’s the wrong sort of horse.
My nearly immense intelligence and general knowledge have consistently bettered my choices (assuming the bad ones aren’t counted). I generally use all my collective powers when I have to choose. I only “look” like I have made bad choices in life. But I usually have a strong argument and an even more incredible logic to support my bad choices, when they are being made. All in real-time. Around four or five years ago I decided to replace the computer at home with a better one. Mind you, I had, by this time, read almost every issue of the “Chip” magazine. All that knowledge just HAD to be used. There were two competing RAM technologies in the market. The RD-RAM backed by Intel and DDR by AMD. Technically, both had their uses. Deciding which one’s going to be the future was a tough call. I decided to back Intel and go for the RD-RAM. My logic being Intel had more money power and will weed out AMD off the market in no time. In a years time Intel dropped RD-RAM and backed DDR (a rival technology !!). What were the odds !!? Really. However, at the time, I had people convinced I’m talking sense. A friend of mine who thought that a monitor is the “computer” was completely taken in by my choice when I had explained it to him. Many such decisions have successfully shaped my life. More like an amoeba’s.
In my life I see a lot of such decisions coming. Blu-Ray or HD-DVD for example ? My bets are on the Blu-Ray.
Like this, the wrong horse has always been my favourite horse. It never mattered when it lost. I’d make sure I come up with an explanation of its virtues even before the horse lost. I have always found my joy with the wrong horse and the pain of losing would soon be forgotten. Little wonder I hate Ferrari F1. It’s the wrong sort of horse.
Monday, December 25, 2006
The new computer
After months of yapping about wanting a new laptop, I finally bought myself one. My trusty old weighty Dell will now be sold as granite. My new laptop is called a Sony VAIO SZ3HP/B. I did consider the MacBookPro, but I decided that it was just neatly packed bullshit as I was getting a better spec on the Sony for almost the same money and a kg lighter too. A lot many people did volunteer the info that Sony too is neatly packed expensive bullshit. However, in my case a very good deal on the Sony made it extremely competitive. Btw, I bought it off this place called "Internet" or whatever the hell it’s called. Some said it was the web.
I was quite well warned about Sony’s recent quality and reliability issues. But I myself have had a good experience with (my father’s) VAIO FJ and it hasn't shown any half life yet. The build quality was top-notch and I saw no reason why I shouldn’t buy another VAIO.
Like most people with no social life, I decided to review my laptop and blog it. Most reviews found in magazines and the web of the internet online smacked of PR-jargon and were no help in making any judgement about the product. So here’s mine without the usual.
To start with, the specifications read as Core 2 Duo 1.83GHz, 1GB DDR2 SDRAM, 100 GB 5400rpm HDD, 13.3" WXGA display, WinXP Pro, WiFi, Bluetooth, built-in web cam, 128MB nVIDIA GeForce graphics with TurboCache nonsense AND an Intel GMA945 graphics unit and the usual DVD burner. Product weighs 1.8kg.
The build is pretty impressive. The palm rest area has a nice brushed aluminium finish and the chassis is apparently magnesium alloy. The plastics are nothing exceptional but the display shows very little flex, which needless to say is a very good sign. The lid has a tough sandpaper textured finish and the underside plastics feel super robust. The keyboard has a soft podgy feel to it. I’m taking my time getting used to it. I’m not sure whether it’s a good or a bad thing.
One interesting feature is the Stamina-Speed button. This switches between the NVIDIA Geforce (for graphics power!) and the Intel GMA graphics (for better battery!). In theory, a hybrid system trying to find a balance between power and mobility. In theory. Good theory. However, to switch between the two systems you need to restart. Which brings me to the question, why have an external hardware switch at all ? Couldn’t it just be implemented in the software ? The NVIDIA provides some impressive graphics muscle for a laptop of this size. Easily one of the best in class, especially as the rest of the class is using the Intel GMA945 rubbish.
Sony says the battery should last "upto" 5 hours on the stamina mode (The "upto" presumably means its not their fault if it lasts more). Which like all other Sony press releases, is utter bollocks. I have been able to squeeze out only 4 and a quarter in my best behaviour. Which is not too bad considering the competition. The Wi-Fi button very, interestingly, also controls the BlueTooth. This I think is a design flaw. One has to switch on the Bluetooth as well to use the wifi. Considering one doesn’t use BlueTooth as much as the wifi, its just a waste of the battery resources. I havent checked the full battery recharge time yet but it seems to be pretty fast. Of course like most Vaios this one too comes with a heavy brick like charger which appears medieval in comparison to Toshiba's sleek and small charger. However it does its job pretty well. The vaio comes with a Memory stick Pro Duo card reader and also, surprise surprise, an SD card reader (thats a major deviation from Sony's earlier policy of supporting only the Memory Stick format). Like all vaio, the SZ too comes with a lot of crapware. So if you were ever worried about having excess computing power, this takes care of it all. However, it can be turned off using MSCONFIG on WinXP.
One of my previous issues with Vaios was the heat problem, which never failed to supply third degree burns for your lap. It does make for a good birth control measure, though. The SZ seems to have taken care of it seamlessly. It NEVER gets hot even when running on the mains and the vents are in the rear, not on the sides. The fans are noticeably very silent and the hard disk cant be heard most of the time.
All in all, it seems to hold on well to what I had thought it to be before buying. The only unanswered question is reliability. The "made in Japan" label on the underside is a good start (unlike many other vaios, which are made in china). However, I'll have to wait and see if thats any guarantee.
I was quite well warned about Sony’s recent quality and reliability issues. But I myself have had a good experience with (my father’s) VAIO FJ and it hasn't shown any half life yet. The build quality was top-notch and I saw no reason why I shouldn’t buy another VAIO.
Like most people with no social life, I decided to review my laptop and blog it. Most reviews found in magazines and the web of the internet online smacked of PR-jargon and were no help in making any judgement about the product. So here’s mine without the usual.
To start with, the specifications read as Core 2 Duo 1.83GHz, 1GB DDR2 SDRAM, 100 GB 5400rpm HDD, 13.3" WXGA display, WinXP Pro, WiFi, Bluetooth, built-in web cam, 128MB nVIDIA GeForce graphics with TurboCache nonsense AND an Intel GMA945 graphics unit and the usual DVD burner. Product weighs 1.8kg.
The build is pretty impressive. The palm rest area has a nice brushed aluminium finish and the chassis is apparently magnesium alloy. The plastics are nothing exceptional but the display shows very little flex, which needless to say is a very good sign. The lid has a tough sandpaper textured finish and the underside plastics feel super robust. The keyboard has a soft podgy feel to it. I’m taking my time getting used to it. I’m not sure whether it’s a good or a bad thing.
One interesting feature is the Stamina-Speed button. This switches between the NVIDIA Geforce (for graphics power!) and the Intel GMA graphics (for better battery!). In theory, a hybrid system trying to find a balance between power and mobility. In theory. Good theory. However, to switch between the two systems you need to restart. Which brings me to the question, why have an external hardware switch at all ? Couldn’t it just be implemented in the software ? The NVIDIA provides some impressive graphics muscle for a laptop of this size. Easily one of the best in class, especially as the rest of the class is using the Intel GMA945 rubbish.
Sony says the battery should last "upto" 5 hours on the stamina mode (The "upto" presumably means its not their fault if it lasts more). Which like all other Sony press releases, is utter bollocks. I have been able to squeeze out only 4 and a quarter in my best behaviour. Which is not too bad considering the competition. The Wi-Fi button very, interestingly, also controls the BlueTooth. This I think is a design flaw. One has to switch on the Bluetooth as well to use the wifi. Considering one doesn’t use BlueTooth as much as the wifi, its just a waste of the battery resources. I havent checked the full battery recharge time yet but it seems to be pretty fast. Of course like most Vaios this one too comes with a heavy brick like charger which appears medieval in comparison to Toshiba's sleek and small charger. However it does its job pretty well. The vaio comes with a Memory stick Pro Duo card reader and also, surprise surprise, an SD card reader (thats a major deviation from Sony's earlier policy of supporting only the Memory Stick format). Like all vaio, the SZ too comes with a lot of crapware. So if you were ever worried about having excess computing power, this takes care of it all. However, it can be turned off using MSCONFIG on WinXP.
One of my previous issues with Vaios was the heat problem, which never failed to supply third degree burns for your lap. It does make for a good birth control measure, though. The SZ seems to have taken care of it seamlessly. It NEVER gets hot even when running on the mains and the vents are in the rear, not on the sides. The fans are noticeably very silent and the hard disk cant be heard most of the time.
All in all, it seems to hold on well to what I had thought it to be before buying. The only unanswered question is reliability. The "made in Japan" label on the underside is a good start (unlike many other vaios, which are made in china). However, I'll have to wait and see if thats any guarantee.
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