![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
threeplusfireI have made a point in my life, whether accidentally or intentionally, of being a brand-blond consumer. I think it has a lot to do with getting my cousin's Jordache jeans way after they were cool.
Anyhow, I try to buy based on utility, quality and the occasional whim. I try to avoid a lot of big name brands because of the cost, and many odd knock-off because of quality. Alan drives me crazy sometimes in the grocery store because he has this magic habit of grabbing the most expensive foil/bread/mustard/black beans on the shelf without realizing it. My inner miser screams in agony. Somethings I will drop lots of money on, like hair care products or fresh fish. In the end it balances out.
I've never based my own image on brands. Growing up I didn't have the money to care too much about my clothes or shoes. Getting a pair of Doc Martens was a huge deal, and possibly one of the first purchases I made while conscious of the brand and its image. It's rare thing, however.
My first major full time job was with a dot com, and I did a lot of research on IT products. I used to be able to run through numbers at the drop of a hat, and I know which porn site copied Compaq's entire part numbering scheme so that when you search for a certain model Presario you end up with links to anal sex videos. I grew quite fond of Toshiba products, because I did so many of those SKUs. It was back when they were introducing the Satellite business models, and I lusted after those shiny machines like nothing else.
I have a fondness for Toshiba and Fujitsu that comes from all those SKUs and years of hardy service from my little silver laptop. From time to time I would indulge my craving and spend an hour perusing the new model Toshibas with an envious heart. But honestly it never really mattered to me what "brand" my computer was so long as it had the requisite speeds and reliability. Well other than my commitment to never getting a Mac because I just don't like them and I spent years of my education dealing with them.
My brand blindness has suffered a serious blow. Thanks to Alan, since he pointed out Alienware's insanely cool Area 51 laptops. Suddenly I am contemplating a conspiracy blue case and a finance plan for a laptop nearly $1000 more than what I envisioned spending one day. What a beautiful machine. I'd have a lot of fun taking that to Metro, I'm sure.
Do I really need it? Probably not, in the grand scheme of things. My little Fujitsu works just fine, and I don't have the available cash to even seriously consider a new machine right now. Do I want it? Hell yes.
So I'll keep putting away some money every month. I'll figure out what I want to do with my Fujitsu when I upgrade. I'll think about whether I really want a gamer's laptop or just one that will burn cds and keep me on the internet. I'll try to shake this absurd desire to have something that's supposed to be cool. Though one could argue having a laptop at all is another cool-ness issue, but I try not to think about that.
Anyhow, I try to buy based on utility, quality and the occasional whim. I try to avoid a lot of big name brands because of the cost, and many odd knock-off because of quality. Alan drives me crazy sometimes in the grocery store because he has this magic habit of grabbing the most expensive foil/bread/mustard/black beans on the shelf without realizing it. My inner miser screams in agony. Somethings I will drop lots of money on, like hair care products or fresh fish. In the end it balances out.
I've never based my own image on brands. Growing up I didn't have the money to care too much about my clothes or shoes. Getting a pair of Doc Martens was a huge deal, and possibly one of the first purchases I made while conscious of the brand and its image. It's rare thing, however.
My first major full time job was with a dot com, and I did a lot of research on IT products. I used to be able to run through numbers at the drop of a hat, and I know which porn site copied Compaq's entire part numbering scheme so that when you search for a certain model Presario you end up with links to anal sex videos. I grew quite fond of Toshiba products, because I did so many of those SKUs. It was back when they were introducing the Satellite business models, and I lusted after those shiny machines like nothing else.
I have a fondness for Toshiba and Fujitsu that comes from all those SKUs and years of hardy service from my little silver laptop. From time to time I would indulge my craving and spend an hour perusing the new model Toshibas with an envious heart. But honestly it never really mattered to me what "brand" my computer was so long as it had the requisite speeds and reliability. Well other than my commitment to never getting a Mac because I just don't like them and I spent years of my education dealing with them.
My brand blindness has suffered a serious blow. Thanks to Alan, since he pointed out Alienware's insanely cool Area 51 laptops. Suddenly I am contemplating a conspiracy blue case and a finance plan for a laptop nearly $1000 more than what I envisioned spending one day. What a beautiful machine. I'd have a lot of fun taking that to Metro, I'm sure.
Do I really need it? Probably not, in the grand scheme of things. My little Fujitsu works just fine, and I don't have the available cash to even seriously consider a new machine right now. Do I want it? Hell yes.
So I'll keep putting away some money every month. I'll figure out what I want to do with my Fujitsu when I upgrade. I'll think about whether I really want a gamer's laptop or just one that will burn cds and keep me on the internet. I'll try to shake this absurd desire to have something that's supposed to be cool. Though one could argue having a laptop at all is another cool-ness issue, but I try not to think about that.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-03-25 09:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-03-25 10:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-03-25 10:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-03-25 10:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-03-25 10:40 pm (UTC)So why does Wes think the HP models are better? And what the hell is going on with him?
no subject
Date: 2004-03-26 04:21 am (UTC)He'll be okay. He explained to me why he wanted to move out, and I find myself agreeing with him. It's not something he's done, or something done to him, it's more the situation, and it is his choice, not something forced upon him.
no subject
Date: 2004-03-26 11:01 am (UTC)