Should I bite this Apple?

Headed to Croma today to check out the new Apple Macbook Pro (the aluminium unibody, with black keys). I was hypnotized. However, did a double take when I spotted the price tag next to this gorgeous piece of electronic. I mean, the zeroes just didn't stop extending themselves (after the 1, of course). I marvel at Apple. I really do. They always come out with absolute knockouts. Be it the ubiquitous iPod, the widely popular iPhone/iTouch, the stunning iMac or the astonishingly beautiful Macbook. They know how to deliver on aesthetics, leaving the competition far behind on this front. However, the prices attached to these sinful luxuries are designed to deliver a physical blow to you as well. On first sight and operation (I played around with the MBP a bit) you're transported to an electronic paradise - the visuals and design blow you away. But then I notice the price tag alongside and I'm rudely jolted back to miserable reality. Its an astronomical 102,000 bucks! I can buy the new Samsung LED TV (another dazzler) for the same price (I always do this i.e. play the politics of relativity when faced with the prospect of shelling out huge, ridiculous sums of money for something I really don't need). Should I or should I not purchase it? My heart screams 'YES! YES! YES!' while the mind chides me for being a spendthrift lunatic - a prodigal idiot of the highest order. Let me ponder over the merits/demerits of the same. Till then, I'll have to make do with drooling over the pics*:

* Pics courtesy: Leander Kahney of 'Cult of Mac'. I love the last one.

ZooZoos!

The ads are simply brilliant and marvelous! Some of my faves:

The Killer

Now if this beauty comes out before end-09, I might just shift loyalties to Nokia from my current steadfast allegiance to Sony Ericsson (and the occasional longing glances at Apple). The Nokia 5800 is touted as the iPhone killer. Personally, I don't think the legendary iPhone is beatable... its in a league of its own. But the Nokia 5800 would certainly be a poor-man's substitute for its ridiculously expensive counterpart i.e. the iPhone; though Rs. 18000, before taxes, is not exactly 'poor' for the potential Nokia 5800 buyer. Still, I'm a little wary of the plastic band around the phone. Might pass off for a toddler's toy. Plus, from initial reviews, I've heard the touchscreen is not as intelligent (read, responsive) as the iPhone. Putting that aside (I hope Nokia resolve that!), gorge on some of the specs:

· 3.2-inch touchscreen display with 16 million colors
· 3.2 megapixel camera, includes a Carl Zeiss lens, autofocus and dual-LED flashQuad-band
· 3G UMTS/HSDPA
· Bluetooth 2.0
· WiFi
· GPS
· 3.5 mm headphone jack
· TV-out port
· 140MB on-board storage, upto 16 GB extendible memory
· 111 x 52 x 14.5 mm
· 104g
· S60 Fifth edition
· (850/900/1800/1900Mhz) GSM/EDGE radio

Can't hardly wait! A decision will be taken when the 5800 comes out. Either that, or the iPhone for me. After all, I've been a resourceful girl and been saving up for a rainy-day, haven't I?

Here's a visual comparison of the Samsung Omnia, the Nokia 5800 and the Apple iPhone:

10 Things to do before I Die

I haven't set out anything unrealistic or larger than life for myself. (Like some looneybins quipping he wants to buy a stairway to heaven from ebay... aargh! I'd say - rather grow a brain, dimwit). Anyway, the list below is attainable. All I need is oodles of idle time, truckloads of luck and a smitten, crazy-rich husband to shell out some cool mega-bucks. LOL! Nah... I'd go dutch in this quest... pay my share of the expense (yes, I'm the most generic cliche in fashion these days - a fiercely independent woman of the 21st century... blah blah blah). Why ten, you ask? There're soooooo many things to do in this vast expanse of our world... Well, I'll add another ten when I'm through with the first ten. Lets begin somewhere, no?

1. Watch a live Formula One grand prix. (HIGH on my list.... I was so close to doing this but the plan fell apart .... grrrr... parents worry a lot at times).
2. Buy a round-the-world air ticket, a rucksack and run away... to tour the remotest places of the world with my beloved. Just him and me. (Are you reading this, future-husband?)
3. Drive (if not own) a Ferrari on the Autobahn at 300 kms/hr. (Are you reading this, dear Mr. Boss? I need a raise. Pronto!!)
4. Sleep in a lush meadow high on a Himalayan mountain, under the stars, a cool breeze teasing your body. (Ah, heavenly!)
5. Attend a huge sporting event (the Olympics for instance) or a Coldplay concert. (Chris Martin! If I could land just a small, teeny-weeny, lil' peck on your cheek for all those incredible songs you've penned and sung, I'll die a contented lady)
6. Skydive. (And land, marooned on an exotic island & bump into Sawyer from 'Lost!')
7. Shoot a gun, a real one. (Don't mess with me fellas!)
8. Enrol myself for a social cause, and stick to it throughout my life. (Meet future Ms. Teresa)
9. Take my kids to Disneyland. (And pinch Mickey Mouse's butt... lol!)
10. Get lost in a jungle and come out of it alive. (With a handycam full of adventures!)

Droooooooooool

Ok... I've always been biased towards Sony Ericsson.... frig the specs (I know, I know... I can hear howls of disbelief there, but I'm no technophile) But they come out with stunning phones! And with the SE W902, they have a beauty-pageant winner! I adore this one...cop a glance at it... lounging there like a slab of sinful, delicious chocolate (slurp!)... and its a 3G Walkman phone!! How bad can it be? Plus... for all those Walkman phone owners who whine 'bout their cameras... rejoice! Coz this 8GB stunner comes equipped with a 5 MP camera with autofocus & flash. YAY!

Must cost a bomb though.

BTW donations are most welcome. All proceeds will be humbly utilized to buy, covet and then ultimately trash (when a better one comes along) this phone.

Gee, I can't believe I yapped about greed, avarice & freedom from the same in my last post.

Hypocrisy as a style never goes out of fashion. Atleast for me!