I recently decided that it’s time.   Time to replace my current laptop, which has served me well in the past three years, but has been having difficulty performing up to par more and more.  The battery barely holds a 3-minute charge, the fan whirs loudly within minutes of use, and the whole thing heats up even with proper ventilation.  I’ve wanted to replace this laptop for a year now, but it just didn’t seem justified.  However, I think it’s been long enough that it’s worth replacing now.  Besides, when I stop using a computer, it gets passed on to someone else to make use of for more years to come.  So at least it’s not being wasted.

Yesterday I stopped by my local Best Buy to get a feel for what is out there.  I had thought of a Sony VAIO (which I passed up last time I was looking at computers in favor of an HP Pavilion) or an ASUS.  I wanted to try something new, plus I was told that HPs tend to get hot faster and since that was one of my criteria to select against, it was quickly ruled out.  About a year and a half ago, I found out about an ASUS that incorporated bamboo into its design.  Being that I was quickly becoming a green aficionado, I was intrigued and interested in a more sustainable design.  And so there I was, basically down to two brands, trying to understand the features of each.

Ultimately, I came across the VAIO F model and loved it.  It’s got a beautiful large screen (one of the most important features for me), all the right technical specs, and even a back-lit keyboard for typing in dim lighting!  Initially I had been impressed by the aesthetics and color choices of the EA model, but the screen is small and I’d rather have functionality than have a cool color.  I’ve also heard the Z model can be quite nice, so I’d like to check that one out as well.  I’ve decided against ASUS because the new bamboo model features a dark wood color that doesn’t even resemble bamboo.  I liked their original model with the light color that actually looks like bamboo.  Plus, it seems to be more fancy, so I can always wait until my next upgrade to consider them.

This weekend I’ll try to stop by a Sony Style store so I can explore the computers more in-depth.  It’s really important for me to have a pleasant typing experience, so that’s something I’ll want to try out.  I don’t mind if it’s heavier since I don’t plan on using it outside of my home.  I’ll take a bigger screen and better memory, thank you very much!  I’m excited to go figure out exactly what I want so I can start to hunt down the best deal.  Look for an update when I get my new laptop!  🙂