[quote]Originally posted by Belle:
<strong>But now, to be honest, my role at work is much less hands-on in that respect, and at home I just don't play around with the OS or anything anymore.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I guess we all have to grow up sooner or later and realize that getting work done is more important than playing with any OS.
[quote]Originally posted by Matsu:
<strong>I don't think that it's the hardware Belle prefers, rather the way the software works, especially for e-mail (if that's your pref Belle).
With a little tweaking you can minimize your interaction with Windows. Once you get down to the apps you use, it really makes no difference what platform you're on.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Matsu makes a good point here. In the end we just want to get things done. As long as the OS doesn't get in the way too much, it is the apps that get things done for us.
[quote]Originally posted by Belle:
<strong>I write stuff in Word, I do my e-mail, I browse a little. I burn CDs. Pretty much the only
obvious interaction I have with the OS is saving and loading files, all of which I can organize through dialogs.
I actually much prefer Word for Windows to the Mac version. An e-mail app is an e-mail app. And Eudora is available for both OSes.

</strong><hr></blockquote>
I had completely forgotten that Eudora is available for Windows as well. That would certainly make any migration in my house much easier.
[quote]Originally posted by Belle:
<strong>looking at palmtops has also made me realize one of the biggest issues that
still exists with the Mac: I'd have to make my choice of palmtop with respect to the software available for Mac... So it comes down to the hardware, and Apple just doesn't make the hardware that suits my current needs.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I guess I've just adjusted my current needs (i.e. small, light and long battery life, but no OS junior) so that I can keep using Mac OS on my iBook. If I didn't have to switch operating systems, I would
really like a notebook that is half the iBook's weight.
On the hardware end, it still bothers me that all tiny Wintel subnotebooks (e.g. Picturebook) don't have any good built-in ports. I don't mind an external optical drive. But I
do mind external port replicators. Built-in WiFi may change that in the medium term. But in the short term, I still want to be able to hook into an Ethernet network or dial-up via modem on the road.
[quote]Originally posted by Belle:
<strong>Sigh. Probably not, Escher. As I said, I started this thread in the hope the the new generation of palmtops might offer something a little more usable.
I'm going to be in Tokyo for a conference in December, health willing, and it's going to be very hard to keep my Visa (It's got a mind of its own, you know) buying me a PictureBook or Libretto. <a href="
http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/PCG-C1MZX/" target="_blank">This</a> page makes me giddy.

</strong><hr></blockquote>
Belle: We've know this for a long time. There's no way around the keyboard in the near future. I don't see a viable alternative to the traditional keyboard anywhere. Considering that you need to carry your iBook along with you at least part, if not most, of the time, I have no doubt that a Picturebook, Libretto or similar 2 lbs subnotebook is the right choice for you. Do I read correctly that the PCG-C1MZX that you linked to comes with a DVD burner, aka SuperDrive? I hope your health concerns are not serious. <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" /> I wish you good health in any case.
Escher
[ 10-24-2002: Message edited by: Escher ]</p>