Lacking aSpacebar Key IsFrustrating
It’s very annoying to type with only partial use of a spacebar key. Really.
This weekend, after discussing computer options with the husband (he is buying a PC laptop; I will most likely go with a MacBook Pro even though he thinks I’m going to the dark side), my current laptop started to act up. It’s always been troublesome when it came to the keyboard; I try to keep the sucker relatively free and clear of particles, but they do sneak in there sometimes. However, from the start, my “C” key was always reticent and my “P” and “L” keys were getting there. Then my backspace key started to be bitchy, now followed by my spacebar key. I mean, what the hell?
The left side of the key is fine, but when I push the right side of the bar (and just noticing how I use the keys right now, I never use my left thumb to push the spacebar), it takes either a hard punch or several forceful taps to get a damn space to appear. I took the key off about 10 times yesterday, trying to clear out whatever was blocking the left side of the spacebar, but aside from particles here and there that I removed, nothing was there. Certainly nothing large enough to disrupt the key’s position. But yet there it was, lifting to the right, causing a block that impeded communication between my right thumb and a damn space on my screen.
And I’m the middle of writing a short story, people! I want my spacebar key! I cannot get a proper flow going, of course, so this is slightly irritating. I tried to start work on a post yesterday, and ended up surfing on my iPhone because I was so annoyed with my computer. Damn you, HP. Damn you.
It is infuriating. I might have to get that MacBook Pro sooner than expected. Paying so much for a laptop kills me, but the fact that it’ll last longer than the last two HPs I’ve had helps sell the computer to me. That and I’m sick of Windows and its viruses and issues. IP cautions me that I shouldn’t spend so much because I like to upgrade every once in a while, but I think I’m less impulsive with computers. Gadgets—why yes, I love them! But I consider a computer less of a gadget these days and more of a necessity (not absolutely necessary, per se, but I do use computers a lot and it’d be nice to have a reliable one that doesn’t have stubborn keys, sucky sound, a broken CD/DVD drive, a slow processor and has had a few viruses here and there even though I’m super careful about that stuff and do have virus protection loaded on the damn thing). I hadn’t thought about seriously upgrading until recently—I have gotten used to Macs thanks to using one while visiting my family, but my computer was still functional. Fast forward to a) returning from Mexico to find the thing froze for 20 minutes while booting up and 2) the goddamn useless spacebar key. That thing is integral to someone who writes regularly. Or hell, just wants to scroll on a webpage. Grr.
I don’t worry about compatibility issues because I don’t use my personal laptop for work; work actually broke my CD/DVD drive and refused to pay for it, so since them I do not bring my personal laptop to events and I definitely don’t let co-workers use it. They sometimes bitch and moan at me, asking me to bring my laptop, to which I say no. No way.
So, don’t be surprised if one day soon I post a picture of my dashboard as seen on a new MacBook Pro. I can’t write all of my blog posts from work, now can I?
I’m the middle of writing a short story, people! I want my spacebar key!
Maybe you’ve stumbled upon a new style of postmodernist short story?
Hehehe. Good point.
I’ll take the world by storm with my stunning stories and irregular spacing.
Grumble grumble…
First things first, what makes you think the keyboard on a Mac is any different? A keyboard won’t change function unless you get one of those super fancy keyboards that use lasers:
http://gadgetracker.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/bluetooth_laser_virtual_keyboard1.jpg
In any other keyboard, you’re going to get issues with dust and particles getting underneath the keys. My Dell has that same problem, and my friend’s Mac has that same problem.
In response to the slow processor, what specs does it have? And how much memory do you have in your computer. If you want to give your computer a boost, consider cranking up your memory to 4 gigs (if your OS is 32-bit, you can go higher if you have 64-bit).
Speaking of your operating system, if you like MacOSX, why not go for another Unix-based OS that won’t set you back a thousand clams? Why don’t you try Linux? Its framework is similar to OSX, and it is extremely stable and very resistant to outside invaders. If you look into this option, I would suggest the following distributions:
http://www.ubuntu.com/
(Ubuntu is what is on my computer other than my Windows 7 partition, I’m very pleased with it. It’s extremely user-friendly and it comes loaded with a bunch of open-source goodies. At the same time, if you want to delve deeper into your computer, it allows you to explore some of Linux’s inner workings.)
http://www.archlinux.org/
(Arch Linux is a little more difficult in my opinion, and it requires some research, but also a great distribution.)
http://www.gentoo.org/
(Gentoo is if you want to really expand your understanding of computers and really learn the inner workings of Linux. Not for a beginner in Linux, but from what I hear, people who have mastered it are very pleased with it. I would suggest holding off on it until and unless you decide you want to look into Linux, but I don’t really think you’re in this to get this deep into computer-nerdiness).
And then of course there is Windows 7. If you’re using Vista right now, I would say “Upgrade! Upgrade! Upgrade!” It’s an enormous improvement on Vista’s slow and annoying framework. If you are on XP still, I would say it’s up to you, because XP to me will be the eternal operating system, I loved it, and actually miss a little. 7 gives you a prettier look and from a few tests that I’ve run actually runs a little faster than XP.
Hmm, that’s all I really have to say. With a Mac again, it’s a pretty good piece of hardware, and comes with a pretty good software package. Just remember that there are other options.
Just my 2 cents. Let me know what you decide upon. :)
You misread my post.
I don’t think the keyboards on Macs are better. I know the same thing could happen. But this latest problem is only contributing to the retirement of my current computer. It’s sucked from pretty much Day One, and it developing additional problems only hastens a new purchase. I would have stuck with this one longer, but typing on it is difficult (you have no idea how annoying it is to backspace in order to insert a space — it’s time-consuming and ridiculous and this comment is taking forever). When I can’t work at my usual pace, that means the thing done. It’s useless.
I’ve been considering a new computer for a while; contemplating a Mac is just how it goes this time around. I want something that works and that’ll last. And that comes consumer-ready, honestly. Also, getting something that’s incompatible with the federal government’s system is appealing because that means they’ll spend less time trying to make me use it for work purposes.
Thanks for the input, though. :)
Ah okay, that makes sense. You’re fed up with this particular computer and not just Windows-based computers. Gotcha.
Yep, exactly! :)
I missed your call today — I’m working from home tomorrow, though, so I’ll be reachable pretty much all day (except to hit the gym and have our new dresser delivered).