I’ve given my entire computer system (actually just a laptop) a overhaul. My 6+ yrs laptop, while still in really gd condition, is no longer powerful enough to run some of the more demanding softwares I’m using right now. Photoshop CS2 runs sluggishly, while the latest, CS4 won’t even install due to requirement constraints. The search for a replacement laptop was not easy (Mariz should know since she accompanied me for my search), I wanted the best small laptop I can afford and eventually got the Z26. Added in a 22″ HP LCD monitor too. $399 only from HP’s staff purchase program

Been using it for the last few days and its a joy to use. Photoshop CS4 installed without any issues. In fact, it runs even more responsively then my older laptop running CS2 Dreamweaver CS4 ran blazingly fast. My games don’t freeze at all. System dun crawl on multiple Firefox tabs/windows opened. Laptop runs really quiet. Outputing all the content to my new high resolution 22″ LCD was no problem too. No freeze, no lag nothing. Damage to my wallet? A lot apparently.. lol..

Neat setup with all wires hidden. The 22″ LCD is huge. No more squinting to see my codes.

The LCD has a built in USB hub which is really convenient, as shown with my 16Gb thumbdrive attached.

Compared to my old 6+ yr laptop, the new Vaio is really small. More powerful, smaller and at half the weight, this laptop is an engineering marvel.

True wide screen mode on my laptop but I don’t really use it much.

In times like this, when the economy is bad, I should be saving as much as I can but instead of that, I’ve been spending a lot instead. In the last 3 months, I’ve spent over 5k just shopping and buying stuff.

Sony Laptop, HP 22″ LCD, new keyboard, Panasonic video camera, package tour to Philippines and a new bed and mattress (this is a gift from mariz though) With this new bed and laptop, the makeover of my room which started last year is finally completed

1) get rid of the TV cabinet
2) Changed my pathetic 14″ tv to a Sony 32″ LCD and wall mount it
3) replaced my hifi speakers to bar speakers
4) add a Archos media player as my main entertainment system
5) get rid of the long build in desk
6) get a new study table for my laptop
7) replace my bed and mattress
8) Repaint the entire room

End product is one really neat room

My room before the makeover

After the makeover. So much neater now

My messy TV cabinet

Replaced with a 32″ Sony LCD and my archos media player

My new computer setup. Sony VAIO laptop, HP 22″ LCD, new keyboard

More pictures here.. Room Makeover

I got a new laptop for my birthday 3 weeks back. Never thought that switching laptop would be so troublesome. Considering that I’ve used the current one for more than 6 yrs, there sure is a lot of data and files to transfer. It was a hard decision considering that my current laptop still functions perfectly. Only thing was its getting too old to run some of the latest software that I needed. Software like Dreamweaver CS3, Photoshop CS3 and Visual Studio.

Being mobile, I started looking for the most powerful small notebook I can find in the market and eventually, settled for the Sony VAIO Z26.

This laptop is a thing of beauty. An engineering marvel I must say. It weighs slightly less than 1.5kg, and yet much more powerful than most of the bigger sized notebooks out there. Simply put it, I really wonder how Sony managed to cram so much processing power and functionality into a package thats so light and elegant. Only drawback is the cost. $3200 to be exact

I started installing all my software and finally completed transferring all my personal files over. Found so much old files that I’ve forgotten about. Chat logs dating back to 2003 even. The memories… I’ve kept all those logs for way too long now. New laptop, new system, I guess its time to remove all these memories… Lets start afresh…

A $3000+ white elephant to be precise. I’m just disappointed that its been so under utilized. She claimed that she likes it, but when I’m more enthusiastic about it than even her, and that out of 10 pics, 8 were taken by me, I feel kinda lousy that she’s not enjoying the gift. Would that 3k be able to buy her a better gift? I’m really not sure…

Its a well known fact that everything in Singapore is based on meritocracy (if you minus the fact that some employee request for Mandarin speaking candidates, which effectively filters out many non Chinese). Its been drilled upon me since I was young, that if you study hard and do well in your exams, you will grow up to be successful. Looking back, I did not do too well in my exams, as compared to many of my peers, but yet, I’m still successful.

This article in Asiaone highlights the difference between Singapore and US. As quoted from the article

America is a ‘talent meritocracy’ while Singapore is an ‘exam meritocracy’. America rewards those with talent while Singapore rewards those who do well in examinations.

…. While Singapore is No. 1 in the global mathematics and science rankings for school children, very few Singaporeans grow up to be top-ranked scientists, entrepreneurs, inventors or academics. On the other hand, US children fare worse in tests but do better later on in life.

I must be one of the few lucky ones that even without fantastic grades, end up being more successful than I can ever imagine at this age right now. Honestly, I’m very contented now. All thanks to Jeff who hired me into HP, where the American work culture guarantees that I get rewarded for my performance and not my exam results