HP Pavilion DV6 with Beats Audio - to the laptop landfill

Computers. What a brutal purchase to make. I don't need much from my computer, but our laptops were next to dead. Even if we cleaned off all the programs and shit we didn't need, we still got about 15 minutes of battery time. The cost of upgrading ram and buying a new battery, maybe getting Windows 7, makes you think twice. You might as well buy a new computer. That's the brutal part. A laptop is outdated so fast you don't even have time to pay off your credit card before you're considering a new one. The cost of getting the newest operating system, enough ram to run it decently and a new laptop battery can almost equal the price of an entry level laptop. So, to Future Shop we go...
We decided on Future Shop because I had a $100 GC to put towards the purchase. I messed around with the laptops for a while, checking out my options. The sales dude that finally approached me said, "that's a great laptop". I had decided by this point that it was indeed a good option, but i wonder if he would have said that if I was looking at their biggest piece of shit. Anyways, I agreed with him, so we chatted computers. The processors are the part I have no clue about. I went in thinking I was looking for a "dual core processor", but before you know it we've doubled that. I just don't understand computers enough to be able to appreciate what difference jumping from one processor to another does. Processors should be rated on some sort of industry standard that the average consumer can understand. Like the amount of time it will take to convert video from format A to B in program X while you're playing tunes in program Y and streaming video from site Z - all while running a virus scan with program ZZ. I want to know if the computer is going to be surprisingly fast, cooperative, a little delayed, or make me want to donate it to the Salvation Army.
Sales dude explained processors a little, but not in any way that allowed me to appreciate what the latest intel chip would do for me compared to last years. We were focused at this point on the computer I would eventually buy. He explained to me that it has Beats Audio, and right away said it was a bit gimmicky. I was really appreciative that he wasn't gonna try to sell me on a gimmick. It's this stupid Dr. Dre endorsed program, or hardware, or something or other that delivers better audio. You can turn it on and off with fn + B. You turn it off and the laptop sounds like a goddamn Game Boy. Turn it on and the audio sounds good, even above average. So, why would you turn it off? Save power? No.. it's just a way of making it a gimmick, making it appear like you're buying above average greatness with the available Beats Audio option.
So, we bought the comp. I own Beats Audio. Sweet. But, not for long!! We're returning this computer asap. And Beats Audio is not the key reason.
This laptop powers down the graphics processor to a lower level when you're running on battery. The problem is, when you run low on batteries and need to plug back in, Firefox goes blank and cannot be recovered. you lose whatever you were doing and need to re-start the web browser. I like the idea of power conservation while using the battery, but this issue is definitely not one I can tolerate in a brand new laptop. And I don't want to adjust the power settings to either have the processor running super low or full out all the time. We're going to return the computer this weekend.
So, I guess the question is, do we buy a Mac?...

Value: 6/10
Integrity: 5/10
Performance: 4/10

Overall Rating: 5/10

Not sure what I'm going to look at next. I've got some ideas. We'll see.

American: The Bills Hicks Story

I had planned on writing about the finer things in life - those that were made using skill and care, and finding a few products that embody that spirit. I'll push that aside for a while, and instead review a documentary about the late American comedian, Bill Hicks.
I was first introduced to Bill Hicks while living in England. A chap that lived in my dorm was a huge fan of Hicks. He was also a huge fan of Radiohead, the biggest fan I'd ever met. Later, I'd learn that Radiohead dedicated Kid A to Hicks. It was then in this latest documentary that I'd learn a little as to why Radiohead were such big fans of this American comedian.
Hicks started his comedic career at an early age. He and his best friend started making up routines at 13, and by time they were 15 were sneaking out at night to head to open mic night at the only comedy club in town. The documentary covers his story with incredible detail. The cinematic styles used are a mix of animation and archival footage. The animation is really well done, and is something very unique to see. It hooks you in to the back story where otherwise you might jsut be interested in seeing the footage of Hicks on stage. With the Hicks' comedy footage, you definitely get enough throughout to be entertained and learn and see Hicks style, which is nothing less than brutally honest, insightful and in your face.
The great part about this documentary is how it traces the challenges Hicks faced along the way, including drug and alcohol addiction. We see how his addictions affected his routine so negatively that he almost lost it all. He was actually forced to pack up and move from LA to New York to escape his habits and click of friends who were a negative influence.
Hicks' career truly went big time after he kicked his drinking and drug habits. He did a tour of England and Ireland, where he became a rockstar. The idea of an American who was super critical of America was a huge hit there. I can now understand the connection with Radiohead, who have echoed his anti-system, anti-war, anti-American hegemony sentiments in their work and music.
This doc is very entertaining and informative. It's a must for the Hicks fan, and is an awesome 1:40 minutes of entertainment even for those who have never heard of him. Hicks dies of cancer at 32. What a tragedy. He was the kind of guy who could actually influence people to open their eyes and question the world we've created. And he would make you laugh your ass off while doing it.

Play with your fucking heart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!