Archive for November, 2009

It’s barely real.

Or at least, it feels very unreal.

When I started this blog, I had dreams of one day upgrading from my little 13″ Macbook, to eventually getting my own iMac. The fact that I would forever remain a mac devotee, already well established, the only thing that remained ‘up in the air’ as it were, was the timeframe.

My Macbook had been the brilliant re-entry to the MacWorld for me, and took me from fledgling photographer, to full time professional, and I then further branched out into graphic design. To underestimate the role that my macbook played in this transformation, would be silly. It is the very thing itself which allowed me to believe in my abilities. To encourage me when I got tired, (by it’s sheer tenacity and will to keep my programs, projects and files safe from nasty viral harm), and to forever spark my imagination to strive for greater heights.

My Macbook, changed my life. Or at least, gave me the tools with ably assisted me to transform myself.

Then, the unthinkable happened. My back was turned for a few minutes, and little toddler hands, sent my Macbook smashing to the floor.

…

Thank god for insurance! For all risks, all damages insurance!! You always moan about your insurance, until the day you need it.

So…I checked out our insurance papers. The insured amount would be enough to cover a new Macbook, but since the majority of my work was now being done from home, I realised that perhaps the time had come to trade the mobility of the Macbook, for the more ample screen space of the iMac.  Closer inspection of my local apple reseller’s website, set my heart pounding. The 20″ Aluminium iMac, was retailing for the same price as the new Macbook…

Several sets of paperwork later, and my insurance company obtained a quote to ‘fix’ my Macbook. It amounted to about 80% of the value of buying a new one, so they then obtained a quote to ascertain the cost of buying a new machine instead.

I thought disaster had struck when the sales guy went and quote them on old stock (that they still had on their shelves, but a newer model than my 3yr old Macbook nonetheless).  But this would mean that I would simply have to pay in an amount of around ZAR1200.00 in order to finally get my desired iMac.  I signed the insurance paperwork agreeing to them paying me out for the broken machine, and then set about the exciting prospect of buying my 20″ iMac.

One phone call to my local apple reseller sent my heart straight back to my boots again, when the salesman told me that they had NO stock of the 20″, and no date as to when stock was going to be replenished. He did however say that there was a rumour that Apple would be releasing a new model in the next few weeks and that it might be prudent to wait for that.  About 20 phone calls later to every single Apple Authorised retailer in the COUNTRY, and it confirmed for me that there was absolutely no stock left anywhere (unless I wanted a low spec second hand educational model machine…which I did not).  I wasn’t sure what to do, given that I did not have the additional funds for the 24″ which was still sporadically available, or to wait for the possible announcement. Thankfully most of my clients were totally flexible and understood my dilemma, so I decided to wait and see. The stress levels at this moment was proving to be the best fat burner a girl could want!

48hrs later, and Apple announced the beautiful new 21.5″ iMac with their perfect wide screen ratio of 16:9, brushed aluminum casing, and shipping with the wireless mouse and keyboard as standard.

A quick call to the very helpful sales guy confirmed that they would know in a day or two when their stock would be arriving…the only thing remained, would be the pricing…we would have to wait and see…

Continued tomorrow…

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