I had a bit of a sad day today, as I said goodbye to the laptop that powered me through my years in San Francisco. I bought it with my first paycheck at my first real job in San Francisco in 1998 and retired it (for the most part) when I bought the newer, lighter laptop for my Asia travels last year.
It worked for me admirably for those 6 years, but for some reason it gave up and died on me. After trying to revive it at the Sony service center to no avail, I sold it at Pantip Plaza for 7000 baht. I bought it for about 100,000 baht, but I'm trying not to do the math else I'll be depressed.
Actually, I don't mind losing an old, slow computer. But I do mind losing all of my data. Yes yes yes, I know perfectly well that hard drives crash and data should always be backed up, but I never did. So I lost pictures from my first trip to Asia, and my 2000 trip to Europe with Kenley in 2000. Bummer. So, take this as a lesson and go back up your computers now! (Maybe even I will do the same.)
Oh well, it's time to move on as I get back to work after a wonderful little holiday in Isaan. I can't say I am happy to be back in the office, but at least I have a lot of good things to look forward to this month. Next weekend, my friend Rudy from San Francisco arrives. After that, I head back to the US for a week. Then, Rupert arrives to squeeze in a little R&R on his Asian business trip. Should be a fun March!
My suggestion to everyone: If you can afford it, get an external drive that's at least as big as your computer's hard drive, then just use some sort of backup/sync program to periodically mirror your entire internal drive to the external one. It's pretty painless, and you'll be sure to have all your files in case of an emergency. Backing up to smaller (and slower) devices like CDs, DVDs, and the like is a pain and means you have to pick and choose what to backup -- and so you're likely to miss something important.
Jase, thanks for the wise words. Do you have any suggestions on Hard Drives or Sych software? Unfortuantely, I am fairly ignorant on this subject.
- Stuart
I've got one of the La Cie external Firewire drives, and it's pretty nice. As for software, Super Duper is great for OS X, but I haven't a clue about a Windows equivalent. Good luck!
Hi there!
Um, this is unimportant but you sold it at Pantip Plaza? Because if it's the one in Pratunam in Bangkok, I'm of to Centre Point hotel, very near to Pantip Plaza and I'm after a laptop. I'm looking for a cheap, good quality laptop and I'm off to Bangkok on the 19th of August 2004. Whilest you were there, did you get a look at any of the prices of the laptops?
-Phil .C
Hi there!
Um, this is unimportant but you sold it at Pantip Plaza? Because if it's the one in Pratunam in Bangkok, I'm of to Centre Point hotel, very near to Pantip Plaza and I'm after a laptop. I'm looking for a cheap, good quality laptop and I'm off to Bangkok on the 19th of August 2004. Whilest you were there, did you get a look at any of the prices of the laptops?
-Phil .C
Phil,
Yes, I was talking about Pantip Plaza in Pratunam, Bangkok. I haven't seen any prices for used laptops, but the new ones are quite expensive. I thought that they would be cheaper here in Thailand, but actually they are the same or a little more expensive than the same models in the US. But, you never know what you will find at Pantip, so give it a try!
You might also want to try the IT Plaza on Ratchadapisek. It is accessible by the new subway. I haven't been there myself, but I've heard good things about it.
Stuart,
Well, I'm from Lincolnshire in the UK and the British currency is almost twice as much as US currency so I should do alright searching for something worth while.
If I don't I'd be a little disappointed but I know it doesn't exactly matter anyway!
Thanks for your help.
-Phil .C
Phil, I was thinking of you when I wrote today's post. I visited the IT Mall on Ratchadapisek yetserday. It is really easy to get to -- just take the subway to the "Pra Ram 9" station. It is much more relaxed and pleasant to shop there instead of at Pantip. For me, Pantip is a bit overwhelming.
Good luck! :)
Stuart,
Yes, I must admit that Pantip is overwhelming and muchly crouded!
Well, I might not get a chance to vist either places because we're off to Phitsanalok then to a small village nearby, Sappi-wan, to vist our Grandparents.
Then again, like I said, it doesn't quite matter if I don't get a laptop.
-Phil.C
Stuart-
Hey there!
Right now I'm in an Internet Cafe, next to Centre Point hotel, near Pantip Plaza, in Pratunam. In centre popint, I'm in room 703, facing the IT City. I've been to Hua-hin and to Phitsanulok and back to Bangkok with my famliy so these are the last few days of my holiday here; we leave on this Friday.
I finally got a notebook!; 12,000 บาท/baht, secondhand at Big Shop IT in Pantip Plaza (sorry those who are unware of what I'm talking about).
What was funny was the first thing I was asked was 'Sexy Movie?'. I'm almost out of cash spending it on programs and my Laptop.
Please E-mail or reply.
See ya!
Phil.C
Guys nice readin d forum...m plannin 2 fly 2 BGK dis 21/03/06...m plannin 2 buy a notebook...can ul suggest me some good Plaza..i know Pantip rocks...stil is it cheap there...m from India.
Hi Sid. So I guess you are in Thailand now. Yes, Pantip Plaza is still a great place for shopping for electronics. You might also want to check out Fortune Town. It is easily accessible on the Subway... "Pra Ram 9" station, I think. Good luck, and enjoy your time in Bangkok!
- Stuart
hi to all...i love thailand as you all do i believe; i love it so much that i married a thai beautifull and lovely gil....
but i do Love as much as thai Technology, i love laptops and i need to buy a new mac...
i was looking for the mac book pro 17'' screen with a 2.16 Ghz processor....
any of you do have any idea if it will be on sale on some plaza in Bangkok? please do answer me 'cause i am evaluating the opportunity to buy it there instead of here in Italy....
well here they sell it for a 2.900 �...
so if anyone of you will be there be4 the end of august please do reply to me....
untill then i just thak you a lot and hope you'll have a great time on thailand...
bye all