Alyssa's computer bit the dust the other week, so we buckled down and ordered a bunch of new Mac gear.

Since she had an iBook from three-and-a-half-years ago, we decided the best fit (since she likes them small - and she doesn't need anything overpowered, albeit something peppy enough to last a few years is of course ideal) would be the Macbook. And she likes the white ones (like me).

Since I just got the Macbook a few months ago, we know first-hand what is up (except the new ones with the Superdrive come with more hard drive space and a faster processor), so we were pretty happy with that. At first, Alyssa was thinking that maybe we throw more memory in that one and switch, since I want more eventually, and since mine was a replacement and was stock, I didn't have the option at the time. We decided it could wait on my end and Alyssa deserves to have the new one with no marks or scratches. Even though mine is for professional purposes, the specs on the new one wouldn't be any real significant boon, so she should have the joy of a new machine.

Well, since we got this done online via the education discount, she qualified for a new (albeit not the new design) 4GB iPod Nano (free iPod - cool). Her iPod from two years ago has been doing great, but can't argue with free.

Also, she was offered (I guess another 'Back to School' thing) $100 off select printers - so we got a pretty nice $130 Cannon. So score again.

So we got the essential item (a new laptop for Alyssa) plus AppleCare - not that we didn't spend enough money - but Alyssa brought up on thing that we were on watch for... a new monitor for me... You can see where this is going... no?

For the work that I do, I need extra real estate for graphics and layout - hence the 70 lb. CRT that was on my desk. I also need things to be as spot-on as possible for the color - which also explains the giant pre-owned CRT. But in the end, I have a 10+ year old CRT which occasionally flickers and takes up far too much of my desk. It so was ready to be replaced, and we were thinking high-end, widescreen LCD.

So, Alyssa asked if the Cinema Displays at Apple would be good, and I let her know they are very high-quality for the work I needed to do, but were a little pricey. I do stuff freelance, so it not like I need to spend tons of money and get the best, but we looked at the price for the 23" widescreen with the education discount. We happened to also see a factory refurb in stock and snagged it.

So these trickled in, one by one, through the week, culminating (for me) with the display on Tuesday of this week. It is very nice. I haven't had tons of opportunity to use it for work, but it is very nice and it alleviates the clutter and nastiness of my desk.

We also picked up the other week some keyboard-protector things for our laptop. Alyssa's is clear and mine is black with white letters printed - so we can tell them apart (well, at least when they are open). So we are set for gear for quite a while.

Now for rearranging my workspace so I can make good use of all the new room on the desk.