More things to find space for

I finally bought a new laptop. I have been wanting to get one for ages, since my old one heats up horribly and lags a lot.

Unfortunately I am not very well-versed in computer stuff (software engineer my foot!) so I kept hesitating over different models.

So now I finally chose one and bought it (quickly), so there's no turning back. At any rate, it should be better than my old one.

I have been using Acer Aspire 5044NWLCi (whatever those letters mean), and this new one is a Toshiba Satellite C640 (it seems to be the oldest model available on the market, but whatever, I'm not that hi-tech :P )

I won't post a photo of the laptop itself, because it is a dull black :P Instead I shall post a photo of the 18 free gifts that came with the purchase, and the lucky draw "prize". (you will see why it is in quotation marks)


I'm not sure whether the free gifts were sponsored by Toshiba or by the IT Fair. (that's where I bought the laptop (by the way I really don't like the word notebook to describe laptop, to me a notebook is the paper kind, and using that word for a computer breeds confusion)) I was given a free gift voucher that I had to go and exchange at the redemption counter. The only thing I know for sure is that G-shark has something to do with those gifts :P

So, let's list them out, shall we?

1. A G-shark recycle bag
Very useful for carrying the other 17 free gifts. :P

2. Glossy paper for printing photos (5 pieces)
Useless for me...

3. Mouse pad
I'm not sure I'll use it...I haven't used a mouse pad for ages.

4. Wireless mouse
I have a wireless keyboard-and-mouse set, and I only use the keyboard because I've heard that using a wireless mouse is bad for Minesweeper. (But come to think of it, I should use the wireless mouse, and only plug in my current mouse when I'm playing Minesweeper. Hmm...that's a thought.) But maybe I can use this mouse (the new one, I mean) if I'm bringing my laptop somewhere to use. It might be easier to pack :P

5. Keyboard protector
I've never actually used one of these before...maybe I'll try it. It'll make my keyboard easier to clean. (or more like, I won't have to clean that keyboard!)

6. Headphones with microphone
Probably the most useful gift of the lot. I'll certainly try it out...headphones are more comfortable than earphones.

7. A pen
It's blue! That's a good thing, because I've received several pens of late, but they're all black. (not that I really need a blue pen :P )

8. USB LED light
I guess it might come it useful...but most probably not.

9. USB hub
I have been using the exact same type of USB hub. Except that it's purple. And it doesn't work very well (probably because it's old)...only some devices can be used on it. So I hope this new one will work fine for everything. The drawback is its shape...some bulky devices can't be plugged in. So I still need another hub.

10. Laptop lock
Again, I guess it might be useful...one day?

11. Marker straps
These aren't too bad. One of those handy things to have around the house. They're for you to keep wires from entangling themselves in each other (No mating, wires! No mingling...just keep to yourself! lol )

12. Laptop fan
I have the exact same thing, in white.

13. All-in-one USB card reader
I just bought the exact same thing, in the same colour, maybe one or two months ago. The only difference is that the one I bought has a brand on it (Pixon). (Branded goods you know! lol) Unfortunately it doesn't work too well...and neither does this new one.

14. CD-R

15. DVD-R

16. CD/DVD pouch
The CD is in one side and the DVD in the other. A 3-in-1 gift. Surprisingly, there's only one of those. I thought that with 18 gifts, there'd be a lot more of multiple-in-one gifts...

17. Network cable (1-metre long)

18. LCD screen cleaner
Like I'll use it...

When I went to get those gifts, the guy at the redemption counter pointed me to the lucky draw counter. He told me, "If you're lucky you will get a Kaspersky antivirus, but most likely you will get a book."

So here's how the lucky draw works. You fill in your details (e-mail, phone number, probably to receive spam in the future) on a computer screen and then click on a button. There are prize icons all around the edge of the screen and the blinking "frame" will stop on one of those. And most of the time it will be the "?" picture. In that case they will lead you to a transparent booth next to the lucky draw counter and ask you to catch pieces of flying paper.

Do I hear "huh?" :P

The transparent booth is raised and there's a fan below it. The floor is like an air vent, and there are small pieces of paper on the floor. You get into the booth, they switch on the fan, and then you have a certain amount of time to catch as many pieces of flying paper as you can. If you catch more than 20, you receive a Kaspersky antivirus. If you catch less, you get a Kaspersky notebook. (which is what I did)

I have to recharge the laptop battery before using it, so I can't try it out tonight. That will have to wait till tomorrow. I hope I won't regret this purchase...and also the switch to Windows 7. :s