Apple doesn't make a 14 inch powerbook, though the 15 would be a good choice. We've got the 12 inch model and I just love it. I'm not sure what you were using before but make sure you upgrade that memory. Mac OS loves memory.

oops, yeah, thanks mark - i meant the 15 inch. i'm using a 14 inch now. i'm hoping for at least 512 MB of ram (do you think i should go for the 1 GB? - i'll be doing mostly photo and video stuff) and 80 GB HD, and i already have 256 GB ext. HDD so i have lots and lots of HD memory....

suggestions? advice? anyone else?

Go for the extra gig, especially since your doing photo and video related stuff. I bought mine with an extra 256, 512 total, so to upgrade I essentially have to sell my 256 stick and buy another.

Welcome (finally) to the world of computers. PC's don't count cause as cliched as it sounds,...once you've had a MAC,..you ain't going back.

You're gonna love iPhoto!

Get the 1 GB of Ram. Running photo's and video,..it's best for you to have heaps and not need all of it than to have little and need it.

I love our 21INCH!! widescreen flat moniter. As you know, I'm editing video all the time and we upped the ram to 1.25GB when we bought it. I say get it while you can shell out the clams straight away.

Ohhh,..you're soooo gonna love your new baby! I'm excited for you. And boy oh boy do I have software for you!

Congrats...

- Juggs

thanks mark & juggs - i am actually pondering getting the 12 inch and buying a large monitor on the side with my points. a 12 inch would be so portable. and wow - 1.25 ram? holy sheeeet. i wonder if i could afford that? would be bloody lovely, i must say. (oh, and bring on the software, juggsy baby.)

"and wow - 1.25 ram? holy sheeeet. i wonder if i could afford that?"

I only paid $500 for the extra ram to be put in. Worth every cent.

Please e-mail me ya new mailing address too matey.

- Juggs

Not that I'm suggesting you don't get a mac, as I love OS X too, but generally things don't just slow down and stop. Are you sure you're not the victim of viruses/ad-ware/spy-ware? Follow all these steps and see if it makes a difference.

http://killspyware.shorturl.com/

hi matty, thanks for your heartwarming diligence. to be honest, i was surprised more people didn't ask the same question because i know that computers don't just kinda slow down and grind to a stop. but it seems to me that there is no other reason.

i had a look at the page, and have already done the majority of the stuff suggested. i've used mozilla for over a year now, i have had spybot running for quite some time now (although not these other ones, so i will try downloading tem after this), and N.A.V. running on real time, and macafee clean sweep and so on and so forth. i am religiously careful about my system and its maintenance.

i am quite bamboozled as to why she's been running so poorly but it has been happening slowly over a period of time. i honestly can't think of any other reason why it's happening other than it's just time for it to die. but i won't lose hope, and i will try this ad-aware and spyblaster stuff and see what happens.

thanks, matty mcg, glad you're still around and offering choice little bits and pieces of thoughtfulness. btw congrats on the new house.

spyblahh, ad-wablahhh,...MAC no care for crap like this. MAC good. (Caveman tone)

- Juggs

PS: Buy a MAC!!

I agree with Matt that a virus may be responsible. Years ago, my Mac at work had the same symptoms as you described. Turned out it was caused by a virus. I would think that if your Mac has reached the end of its life span, it would simply stop working. That's what happened to my old laptop - one day it was working fine, the next day it wouldn't start up.

Thanx MattyMcG for posting that link to rid my computers (at work and home) of all the crap that's managed to find it's way there. That is a great site!

Martine, hope your computer is fixed now and the gremlins are gone...

Hey Nic,

Computer is sorta working OK but I'm just soooooo over the slow load that I am taking a short break from said computer. It's great catching up on movies, hanging out with friends and just generally chilling. The new powerbook arrives (hopefully) on Saturday, after that I'll get back in to it - when I have more than 125 mg ram to operate photoshop with.

In the mean time, I plan to enjoy Golden Week and this glorious weather with lots of country time with trips to the Fuji Go Ko planned and a phot expedition to enjoy.

Back online in a week or so....