I was uploading photos to my flickr when I realized I was writing long and non-sense descriptions on my photos.
It made me decide that it's time to blog.
I was actually posting this picture, I've been wanting to show off my new machine ever since I got it. My old laptop seems to have found a friend tricycle inside. It's making a crazy noise (KKKRRRRRRR! - something like that) whenever the machine gets hot every time I work. It has bothered me for months and gets worse and worse.
Almost close to tears, I decided same day that I'll get a brand new machine. See, I'm not rich, the money I used is from "our" savings - which means I still need too pay it back. In my line of work, everyone needs a kick-ass machine. This isn't that of a kick-ass but I do love it coz I am the first owner and it's a lot lighter than my previous machine, a Mac Book Pro. The Mac Book is perfect for my size =)
Anyway, what I was supposed to blog was the photo! I think it's geeky to take photos while you are opening a box of your new purchase. But I gave in --- it was Aram's idea - not mine! I don't want to post the rest of the pictures (as in I have a step by step pics during the box opening) coz I've said, it's way too geeky for me.
i'm so bored.....
Are you having a headache in finding the right ultra portable laptop for you? With myriads of ultra portables coming out in the market nowadays at a price of a mid-range phone; soon anyone will have its own ultra portable. Started by the now ubiquitous Asus EEPC, now you have every manufacturer jumping on the subnote bandwagon. We now have MSI Wind, Lenovo Idea Pad, IBM's X61, Fujitsu's U1010, HP's mini note, Astone's UMPC, and many more. Now, how would you decide to buy the ideal ultra portable for you amidst several options in the techno jungle? I'm going to share a few points in this article to help you decide the right one but i will focus on reviewing HP's ultimate tablet; The HP TX2500 series with the latest Puma platform from AMD.
Choosing the right ultra portable.
What type of person are you? Are you the type who loves to watch movies and listen to music on the go? Are you the business man who travels a lot and brings the entire office with him? Are you the multimedia /gamer who spends a lot of time tinkering with his laptop looking for a better game plan? Every ultra portable excels in one area so you have to know your needs and prepare your budget. An ultra portable today is priced between Php 16,000 ($340) to Php 28,000 ($600) at different computer resellers. But high end subnotebooks can cost as high as Php 60,000 ($1,200) to Php 100,000 ($2,100). You have to get the best value for your money.
For the young professionals who often use office programs and presentations all the time, you can live with the Asus EEPC series of ultra portables, Blue H1 or the New Blue Lithium, price between Php 16,000 to Php 24,000. That's a good price without leaving a deep hole in your pocket. The subnote is powerful enough to run your regular suite of office applications and it's light enough to be carried around without adding too much bulk in your luggage. You also have a choice for the screen size between 7 inches to 10 inches. I wouldn't recommend the 7 inches since you'll likely spend most of the time proof reading your presentations because of the small screen.
For people who likes entertainment on the go, with enough juice to run your favourite movies and music without skipping frames, you're better off with HP's mini note, MSI wind and Acer Aspire one with a price range between Php 24,000 to Php 30,000. I'd go for the HP mini note for full size keyboard and stylish finish.
For the gamer and power users, the best ultra portables include the Dell XPS M1330 , Sony Vaio SR series, and HP TX2500z series. They have the fastest processors and most powerful architechture among the ultra portables, enough to challenge the performance of mid-range desktops.
In buying the right ultra portable, be particular with the processor speed, memory size, hard disk capacity, video card and expandability options. Hard disk and memory are easy to upgrade but not processor and video card memory, so you have to make a wise choice. A decent spec for an ultra portable that would perform most office and entertainment functions without difficulty should have at least 2.0 ghz of processor speed, 2 gb of ram, and at least 160 gb of hard disk space. Ok, so that should give you a brief idea when shopping for the right ultraportable laptop for you. Now on to my review :)
Introducing the HP Pavillion TX2500 series entertainment PC.
First impression. This is my first tablet PC so i'll try to be objective in my review. The HP Pavillion TX2500 is the much awaited upgrade to the already old but still reliable HP TX1000 about a year ago. Unboxing the HP TX2500 and setting it up is a breeze. Coming from an all Mac computer to a Windows machine, i immediately noticed the difference in their packaging. While the Mac is usually encased in a high quality package cocooned with high quality paperboard molded to fit the shape of its accessories and the unit covered in dust resistant plastic, the HP is boxed with the same old boring brown box. Like just buying a new microwave or what not. The unit is securely encased by styro sheet though to be fair. The box includes the wacom pen, the tablet pc unit, the power adapter, the battery, and the weight saver accessory (an blank light plastic that you can use in place of the DVD rom drive to save some extra pounds).
Holding the unit for the first time, makes me feel that its an expensive gadget. The HP TX2500 is covered with a glossy scratch resistant shell inlaid with an echo pattern that runs from the LCD to the palm rest. I think it gives the unit a nice aesthetic touch and makes it ideal for digital artists like me. The unit is bit heavier than my macbook air but more powerful, with enough juice to run for five long hours.
Quick specs. I got the high-end model and using it for a week now, i keep on losing track of time being busy playing with my new toy. Here is the lowdown on the specs. AMD X2 Ultra 2.2 ghz ZM82, utilizing the latest and most powerful platform from AMD called Puma with Hyperthreading 3 and tight integration with ATI's 3200 graphics card for mobile. 320gb HDD at 5400 rpm and 4 Gb of DDR 667 mhz ram. I also got the 8 cell extended battery. This unit has a 12.1 passive matrix LCD with a Wacom pen enabled digitizer (Which means better hand writing recognition. With a Windows Vista performance index of 4.0 it's pretty fast for an ultraportable.
Features. The HP TX2500 is a convertible ultra portable tablet pc. Which means you can use it as a regular laptop with a full size keyboard or twist the screen and use it in slate format to bring out the artist in you. The tablet is adorned with all possible ports and expansion slots you can imagine situated on the sides and on the LCD itself. 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 RJ 45 or lan port, 1 modem port, 1 express card 32 port (which also happens to be a docking port for the included remote control for the media center), 2 headphone jacks with 1 supporting SPDIF, 1 microphone jack and a proprietary port called Expansion port 3 by HP. It also comes with a lightscribe enabled dual layer capable multi-dvd superdrive with a 1.3 megapixel web cam and microphone supporting stereo sound recording. High quality speaker is also provided courtesy of Altec Lansing. The LCD is also adorned with buttons as well; a DVD dedicated button with controls, a screen orientation button, a button that brings up the windows mobility center and a finger print biometric scanner...whew that was a lot for a package as small as this. The jack of all trades of ultra portables.
Performance. The Tablet PC perfoms faster than the Macbook Air and with a Windows Vista performance index of 4.0 utilizing the new discreet ATI Radeon 3200 graphics card, it performs suprisingly well on power hungry strategy games like Command and Conquer Generals and EA game's Lord of The Rings Battle for Middle Earth. The Adobe CS3 suite of application also runs decently with multiple applications open. A true multimedia powerhouse, i believed HP have a winner on this. But the true magic of the HP TX2500 lies in its LCD with an active digitizer. Using the included Wacom pen, you can easily turn the tablet into a digital canvass with different levels of pressure sensitivity, you will have precise control of the user interface in Photoshop or a more pen friendly program called Alias Sketchbook Pro. The unit also has a very powerful hand writing recognition software suitable for note taking.
Though the unit performs well on almost all task you throw at it, the unit emits heat when performing heavy tasks or when put under stress. Not really suitable for long period when you hold it in slate mode. Also, since the screen is passive matrix, it doesn't have a wide viewing angle, so colors may wash out if you view the LCD at a different angle.The LCD also seems to be a bit grainy compared to the LCD of other laptops like the Macbook Air or Macbook Pro.
The Verdict.
With a slew of multimedia features plus a Wacom enabled digitizer and an Entertainment PC at the same time, the HP TX2500 is a powerful tablet PC if not the most equipped and most powerful in its class. If not for high heat emissions and a grainy LCD, the HP TX2500 is a true winner. The unit is priced between Php 60,000 to Php 89,000 in local computer resellers.
I have finally accepted the fact that I am now 30 and how fortunate I am (somehow thanking my height) as family and friends were surprised when I revealed my real age. Oo, talaga, promise.
I mentioned Aram that I wanted to do something different for my birthday. So, I got excited when he told me we should catch Lea Salonga in the Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. I told him I wanna see the musical when I saw one of the billboards in Makati couple weeks back and he remembered! That's what I love about him. I think he has small Post-Its in his brain, takes notes of what I tell him and surprises me one day. And he even got me a tiara from the Cinderella memorabilia which I wore the whole time during the musical and worn it too at my mini birthday celebration/poker night/Guitar Hero night last Saturday. I was CinderELLA!
Thanks to all my friends who remembered with special mention to Bespren who sent cupcakes all the way from Singapore LOL and many thanks to our poker buddies who let me win on my birthday.
Btw, I am sharing the same birthday with my big sis, who is 3 years my senior, though we didn't celebrate together, we both had a blast! Belated happy birthday ATE! Mishu! =)
I took the MRT & LRT to meet JV of CSB and Jhoana of DLSU for the Graphika Manila 08 ticket distribution last Wednesday. I am aware how hard it is to find a parking area in these schools, so I was more than thankful that I didn't drive that day. As JV said, "Commute is the way to go."
I do enjoy train rides coz I get to see Manila from the top. I get to see our condo from the Guadalupe bridge. I get to see the latest billboards along EDSA. The Zanjoe-Marudo-with-white-hair-all-over Bench billboard is still bothering me every time I see it. I get to watch people inside the train. I get to see what other people are wearing. I get to hear stories from them.
On my way back to Boni Station, something odd happened while I was on queue for my one-way ticket. I could hear the person, an old man actually, from my back whispering. I thought he's crazy so I took a glance at him, and then he spoke to me, asking what's my station. I was aware of the "don't talk to strangers" but I don't know why I answered him in a polite manner, "Boni po.".
I was on the "exact pay" line. He wanted me to give him my Php12, so he can buy us two tickets from his Php20 and Php2. Now, more aware of the "don't talk to strangers" and thinking this could be a new scam, I said no to him. Then I heard him say in a very loud tone, "Thank you, ha." I thought it would end there. But I heard more whispers. Now I know, I'm not crazy. He really is talking to himself.
"Balang araw kakailanganin mo din ng tulong. Walang tutulong sa'yo. Kailangan mo ng tao. Sana walang tumulong sa 'yo pag kailangan mo ng tulong..."
("Someday, you will need help and nobody will be there to help you. You need people. I hope no one helps you when you ask for help...")
Freaky.
So, I confronted him. I said, "Ang laki laki ng nakalagay EXACT PAY tapos dito kayo pipila?" ("The sign says EXACT PAY only, why line up here?")
I almost laughed at his reply: "Kaya nga, sakto nga dapat pag pinagsama natin bayad natin." ("That's right, it'll be exact if we add our money.")
He made a point but he freaked me out. Weird people in the train. You don't get that everyday.
I can't find the exact words to describe how I felt after that incident. It was a mix of guilt and terror and my stand on being ethical. I hurriedly went inside the train after I got my ticket. I was afraid he might go after me and I actually saw him went in the same train, but thank God he went the other way. Thoughts haunted me. If I have given him my Php12, it could've been over. Done. Period. If I have given him my Php12, I could've been scammed, who knows. Haha. I know it's a little amount, but I realized it all boils down to: following the rules.
I find it unfair coz earlier that incident, I did follow the (MRT) rules. I was queued at the senior citizen/pregnant women line (Crazy rules, I know, but makes sense though.), I thought maybe I could make drama to the ticket lady that I was in a hurry or maybe I should have just acted like a pregnant lady. I mean, it wouldn't be too much of an effort since myyy - I have a big belly! LOL. But being the goody two-shoes, I felt guilty - that I left the line and took the exact pay line at the other side of the Taft Station. And there, where my story happened.
My big sis was a big fan of Rick Astley. So her, being my idol on many things, I too was a big fan of Rick Astley. I used to memorize all the lyrics, and when sis plays her cassette tape, I know by heart which song goes next.
I actually got tired of watching and hearing Roderick Paulate sing and dance Astley songs when I was a kid. But I have to admit, after fewer and fewer TV guestings nowadays, I miss hearing him and see him do "that" dance. Watching him sing with Rick now is priceless. And the story behind it is far more interesting.
I never made it at the concert. I guess I was too shy to admit that I am still a Rick Astley fan. :) Thanks to Aram for showing me the link and to Gabe Mercado (Okay ka ba tiyan?), even if he doesn't know me. That is just so brilliant! It does not get any better than that.
What I love about being a full-time freelancer is I can find time for other projects that I love to do.
I have been a fan of some crafts and interior design-related sites like Design*Sponge and Apartment Therapy. Sometimes I wish I'd have my very own house with a hobby/craft room where I can do whatever I want, sew all I want and just get crafty!
My sister gave me a good supply of fabrics from her business. (She makes book bags, for big and bulky medical books, and sells it in school for extra cash. She is actually making well, she's known to be the "bag lady" in UST Med School and I'm extremely proud for her extra effort.) I've been wanting to re-upholster something using the fabrics, so my first project is: my work chair.
After re-upholstering the seat part (the one which meets my butt cheeks all the time :) ), Aram wanted me to use a different fabric for the back rest part. So we went looking for a fabric for the back rest part from Glorietta. I really freaked out when I found out that a yard of fabric costs about Php 250-300! So I immediately called my bag lady sister and asked if she could accompany me to Divisoria the next day. And good thing she was scheduled to go too.
I was awfully happy with the fabric I got from Divi, so I removed the first fabric I used (saved it for another project) and used the new fabric I got for the whole thing. For Php 35/meter with a 60-inch width (most fabrics in Glorietta have 40-inch width only.), it was a sure good buy!
On that same Divi day, I finished my work chair project. And these are my before and after pics...
From the gray boring chair to this. I have extra fabric to do Aram's work chair and more for throw pillow cases as well :)
I always ask Aram if he likes my cooking. He'd always say, "It's okay.", but I do look forward for the day that without a blink of an eye - he'd say that he liked what I cooked. It has always been a challenge for me, because I honestly, honestly love to cook. And having your boyfriend say "It's okay." every damn time - is not a good sign. =(
I can actually relate to what Phoebe of Friends commented about Monica's cooking that her cooking always tasted garlic. Aram said nothing tastes bad about my cooking but the use of the same spices over and over again is what he hates. Ouch. I love garlic, oregano and most of all basil (fresh or dry - I love basil!).
Even though I love these spices, I guess I need to stay away from them for a while. So I've been slowly adding more spices in my spice rack. I bought ginger, sage, cumin and I tried using those I seldom use like the rosemary and thyme.
And for the first time yesterday, he liked what I cooked! I got so excited that I had to blog about it. =)
We had Thai Chicken and Basil for lunch - yes, I know I said I had to stay away from basil, but it was my last stash of fresh basil and I hate throwing away food. I went looking for a recipe, aside from pesto and bruschetta (like he will kill me if he sees those on the table), which I can make use of what I have in the ref, and I remember that Thai in a Box Chicken and Basil rice topping. I went looking online for the recipe and there goes our lunch!
Then it's good that I have checked one of my Rachel Ray "Everyday" magazines before I went out for grocery. I found a beef kebab recipe. Aram loves kebab, maybe him being half-Iranian is the reason why. So for dinner I have prepared the beef kebab (with a pinch of cumin) and a salad (with balsamic vinegar, olive oil and fresh grapes). I have asked him to prepare the garlic-yogurt dressing earlier (whatever they call that... He said they don't serve that in Iran.)
After dinner I asked him if he liked dinner. He said "Yes... and also the chicken and basil lunch earlier." Yay! Finally the day I've been waiting for. =) The kebab isn't far from the King's Kebab taste, a Persian Grill we frequent for dinner in Shaw Boulevard for kebab cravings. Now, I can save us couple hundred bucks and gas, too.
Aside from these, I was able to cook bread pudding too and shared it with our pad mates. Our ref is full of old breads, our bread + their bread + eggs + milk + raisins + apples (that I've been wanting to get rid of) + crushed pineapple = home made bread pudding.
I realized I spent my whole day yesterday in the kitchen and grocery. Oh well. At least finally Aram loved my cooking. =)
