Friday, February 16, 2007

Techie? Not So Much

I am not the kind of person that gets all geeked out when flashy new electronics come out. I think that they are pretty cool but I am not frothing at the mouth to get the latest and the greatest.
Some examples:

I still have a 32" CRT style TV that I bought when D wasn't even a year old. He is 9. I would like to get an HDTV flat screen TV but won't even consider it until my TV is toast. My motto is, if it ain't broke, keep watching.
I have never owned an iPod or a phone that you can download music on. I rarely buy cd's and I am content listening to the radio. I have never listened to Satellite radio.
I just recently bought a digital camera. Before that I would use disposable cameras or the camera on my cell phone.
I have no desire to upgrade to Windows Vista.
I haven't purchased any kind of software other than kids' games for my P.C.
I do not own a DVR. I really do want one though.
When trying to explain a problem with any kind of electronic the word "thingy" will probably come out of my mouth.
I have only purchased 1 new computer since 1999.
If I have a problem with my computer I instantly call my friend Anne to help me. The only thing I know how to do is defrag my hard drive.
As you can see I am not very techno-savvey. I am however proud to say:
I FINALLY purchased a flat-screen LCD monitor for my P.C. It is a 19 inch wide-screen monitor by Acer. I bought it from TigerDirect.com and with the rebate and shipping it will be under $200.00
Since I don't know much about them I asked a few people and they said this was a good buy.
For those tech-savvey people here are the specs:

Specifications :
Display Type TFT LCD
Viewable Screen Size 19 inches
Pixel Pitch 0.284 x 0.284 mm
Display Area 410.4mm(H) x 256.5mm(V)
Display Colors 16.2 million
Input Video Signal VGA (15-Pin D-Sub)
Contrast Ratio 700:1
Brightness 300 cd/m²
Response Time 5 ms
Horizontal Viewing Angle 150 degrees
Vertical Viewing Angle 130 degrees
Maximum Resolution 1440 x 900
Cabinet Color Black
VESA Mounting Compliant Yes
Unit Dimensions (WxHxD) 16.2" x 16.0" x 7.1"
Unit Weight 12.32 lbs.
Power Consumption 42W
I should be receiving my new monitor in the next week or so. Until then, all I can do is gaze at it's photo on my 10 year old 17" CRT monitor.


18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Okay... I'm a techie dork :-) I have an old TV too - I can't stomach the thought of spending thousands on a TV when I don't even really watch TV - My son however has a snazzy flat screen TV that he's dying to get hung on the wall. My cell has a ringtone and ringback tone that I swear I can't live without. I have satellite radio. Couldn't live without my digital camera! You've gotta have one for pics of D! Windows Vista.... OMG Can't wait! Must get my hands on that! My phone is the Windows LIve Messenger phone. I have two flat panel monitors. You're going to LOVE your new monitor - I have an Acer also - it's fabulous!

Tara said...

There you go, talkin about me again. Like you, I don't have many bells and whistles on my cellphone, IDon't own an IPod, have had my old TV for the longest time now and just recently bought an LCD monitor for my computer only because my original moniter died and they only had LCD screens. It's a nice monitor, and I can hook my webcam up to it easier than I could with the bulky monitor.

Congrats on your purchase!

Dayngr said...

See and I am the complete opposite. I want everything techie and I love everything techie! Check this out. It is a girls guide to gadgets: http://www.shinyshiny.tv/

Not so little Woman said...

Oh, I used to be like that. Then I started dating a techie guy and he rubbed it off on me. And what can I say? I like my gadgets. Specially the iPod for the NYC long commutes in the subway.

Eric said...

DVR is the greatest invention of the 21st century, get it.

Anonymous said...

DVR? Just don't get tivo. It's a scam: there's no good reason to have to pay $10 or $20 a month just to get TV show listings. They've also crippled it beyond worthless to make it hard to download shows or skip commercials easily.

Rachel said...

Reformat ~There are things that I would like to have but they aren't a priority and I just can bring myself to invest that kind of money into something that will be obsolte the moment I buy it.

Tara ~ We are two peas in an old fashioned pod.

Dayngr ~ Thanks for the link. I will check it out soon. I rarely purchase these things as they are not must have's to me. Shoes on the other hand....

not so little woman ~ If I had to use public transport I would definitely invest in some kind of MP3 player but I drive and I am fine with the radio.

Eric ~ I really, really want a DVR...maybe when I get my profit sharing at the end of March. Any suggestions on a brand?

dmarks ~ I have heard bad things about TiVo. The one that my cable company recommends is Replay TV 5000.

Moonbeam said...

Regarding TIVO. I have to disagree with DMARKS. Having been a long time user of DirecTV and Tivo. DirecTV had a falling out with Tivo and now DirecTV has it's own so called "Tivo" which is still in beta form with so many complaints. This must be what DMARKS is referring too. The "original" Tivo is wonderful, which I still have and am keeping as long as DirecTV will let me. Word is, that new people signing up with DirecTV MUST get their new boxes and cannot hook up TIVO boxes. Not sure what DMARK means by saying you can only get tv show listings with TIVO?? Once you tivo a show, you can save it till you want to watch it, pause, forward, rewind as many times as you want, season pass it with options, etc, etc. Also makes it possible to record two shows at once that are on at the same time. Many more functions. Therefore, I am confused by DMARKS comment, unless he/she is talking about the so called "new tivo". Bottom line, I Love my Tivo...obviously huh? Footnote: I agree not to buy the new so called clone Tivo's offered, hang on to the original as long as you can or if you can still get it.

One thing I can highly recommend also, is the new Harmony 880 universal remote control. It rocks! I am known to be one enchilada short of a combo sometimes, and I even picked up on how easy this thingie is. My HD 42" Pioneer Elite plasma TV, DVD, DVDR, VCR, CD, DirecTV remotes are now put away in the drawer and the only thing I need is the Harmony. Well worth the money, even tho I bitched about it at first.

FW said...

I would spend spend spend on IT stuff all day long but my wife makes me think hard about any IT related purchase. It can be difficult at times but I only try to spend money on stuff I think we really need. A flat screen monitor would be lovely but our CRT monitor works fine, so I just can't justify the purchase. I'm glad you got one though, the space alone it must save! Our TV is very old fashioned but again it's not broke so I haven't replaced it. One day though, we will enter the flatscreen revolution!

Churlita said...

I still don't have a cell phone, but my daughters do. I hate talking on the phone. I would love to have a DVR and am thinking about renting one from my cable place - a co-worker swears by it.

I wish I had a friend like Anne who could explain to me what the specifications mean on your screen.

Have fun with that.

egan said...

I hope it's not a "hot" television.

Rachel said...

moonbeam ~ I have a weird cable setup. The entire community that I live in has access to sign up for cable. It runs just like regular cable but is actually dish network (I think). I will have to call my cable company to figure out how I would use it.

Furtive ~ I am not enamored by tech stuff. I am sure that I would have more than I do if I had more disposable income but I have other priorities.

Churlita ~ I couldn't live without my cell phone. I am thinking about getting rid of my land line. I almost never use it.

Egan ~ My magic 8 ball says "Can't say now.
My checking account says "Unlikely"

Moonbeam said...

Sounds good Rachel. I know there are so many different thingies available for service, etc. Plus once you buy any electronic gadget a week later its outdated. I am not "Techi" but like to get my 2 cents in here and there. If you need a 2centTechi...just lemme know.

BTW...your monitor looks real spifffy..congrats!. Have a good weekend everybody.

M said...

thingy is my absolute favourite word to use when describing anything remotely technological! :)

Lydia said...

I'm also not a gadgets kind of gal on the whole. And like you, there's no chance of me getting a new TV until the current ones stop working.

But I do have an ipod which is invaluable as I use public transport and walk a lot. And just the other day I indulged myself with a new digital camera so that I finally have a decent zoom lens for travel pics. I'm actually really excited about the camera so I guess some gadgets do it for me after all!

MistressRia said...

You are Not the Queen of "thingy" when it comes to technological thingies.. as I am your older sister, I have been saying it longer than you.. and I am seriously more technologically impaired than you.. I can't even program the clock in my car! lol

Erica said...

I don't know much about the specs, but it looks great to me! Congrats on your new buy!

armalicious said...

You sound like my husband. I am constantly wanting the new tech stuff while he's content with his 1998 computer and discman. Although, he loves his Tivo.