MacPrices.net

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So, let's talk about the PowerBook. You know how much I love this little machine. Before I bought this 12-inch PowerBook, I bought a 15-inch model the year before, but never opened it and returned it to Apple. I didn't like the 12-inch at that time and went for the bigger 15-inch model. But a year after that, I bought the notebook of my dreams. This one!

(It's almost the same thing with the new Samsung phone I'm planning to get. It's the model I debated over when I got my current Samsung model--my phone before this RAZR I got that I'm returning--and between the two, I turned down the other. A year later, I'm getting the one I initially turned down, again!).

A year since I bought the 12-inch--with an "upgrade" from Apple courtesy of AppleCare's one-year limited warranty--I think it's still cooler than any of the new notebooks that Apple's released since this 12-inch PowerBook went out of commission. And a year to the day I bought my 12-inch PowerBook (not today), the question came up. To AppleCare or to not AppleCare?

Last Tuesday was the final day for me to purchase AppleCare on my PowerBook. I've been thinking about it for weeks in the lead-up. I already have a third-party warranty on it for three years, so it's covered by that for two more years. But it's not Apple. With the almost $1000 I saved earlier this year on repairs and replacements that was covered by the initial one-year limited warranty, I figured, what could $300 be for peace of mind? (Instead of mind in pieces).

In the end, I decided to forgo it, and figured that by that time, Apple will have released something newer (not better) and I will probably have given in to temptation on buying a newer notebook even before that AppleCare runs out in 2009. Where am I going with this? Think different for a minute. How about, to AppleCare, or just... to care?

Later that same night I went to buy a new chair to use in my classroom, and afterwards, stopped by the supermarket which was next door to the office supply store. I went to pickup a case of soda and when going to the checkout lane, a man came up to me. "You think you could help me out with this?"

He didn't look homeless, but did look like someone who was in need. Before he asked me, he asked a woman ahead of me who just kept on walking. I reached into my pocket and gave him what was in there. He didn't complain, but looked at me and said, "I just need enough to get this bag of pretzels."

He had a little bit already. In fact, he showed me what he had, and with mine, he said it wasn't enough. Though not directly, and he wasn't complaining. All he was asking for was enough to get those pretzels. He wasn't asking for much. So I gave him another $2. The look on his face was one I'll never forget. And you know what? He went in line and bought that bag of pretzels.

What's your point? Well, as a technology columnist, I know--and you all know--just what it means to stay on top of technology, trends, etc. Much less the one factor behind obtaining this cool technology. Such as, money. Credit cards. Funds. (Your savings account, and checking too).

Remember the AppleCare thing? There I was, debating if I should spend $300 on AppleCare, to protect a sub-$1000 notebook computer (well, that's how much I got it for, but it did retail for $1499). One of four computers I own. Don't forget the phone upgrade later in that week.

Here was this guy, who for whatever reason (I'm not one to judge), didn't have enough money on that Tuesday night to buy a bag of pretzels which might have been his dinner for the night, or maybe, his meal for the entire week. And here I am, worrying about getting AppleCare.

It was a little hard for me to even reach in my pocket to give the guy some change. But I did. And when I saw the look on his face and the bag of pretzels in his hand, I reached into my wallet to give him two small dollar bills. Would you have done that? Be honest!

Again, I'm not one to judge, but just pointing out the main idea here. We never think twice about getting the newest technology, whether it be an Apple computer or an iPod (like today's media event which you're all now waiting to shell out your funds for, whatever comes out), or an iPhone, or whatever trendy technology it may be.

Sometimes, we just need to care. We can spend $200 on AppleCare or even $2000 on a new Apple notebook. But we can't bear to part with $2.00 to give to someone in need.

Reminds me of one time I was in line at the movies on opening night, and some guy came up to ask me for some "spare change." I gave him a dollar, and he said to me? "That's it??" I wanted to sock the guy in the face. Well, at least get my dollar back and tell him to go get a job.

(Two extremes there-- a guy really down on his luck at the supermarket, and some really arrogant and ungrateful homeless guy complaining over how much you didn't give him).

Well, thankfully that line at the Keynote started moving and I eventually got in to see Steve Jobs and report to our Steve (Hildreth) that I was in. I literally got the last seat in the house in the section I walked over to! And the rest is history... much better picture, wouldn't you say, compared to if I hadn't gotten in, where maybe I would've been history?

It's been fun. Thanks for reading this past accumulated year. (Speaking of reading, I know I haven't posted recent comments and e-mails from you readers so I'll do that soon). I look forward to the next year and hopefully more.

"And the beat goes on..." (Go and find out the real news from Apple already!!).

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