So, for a while I've been dithering about whether to replace my aging (purchased in the summer of 2001, I believe) Mac Powerbook with something more up-to-date. I love getting new gadgets, but I hate buying new computers. Probably because once I've bought one, I have to quit fantasizing about buying a new one for a while.

In any case, I nearly bought a new computer when Apple came out with the Intel-based MacBooks, but I decided to wait to let them shake some of the bugs out of the new technology.

I came really close to buying a new one when I discovered that my computer no longer met the hardware specifications for playing video in iTunes.

Lately, my computer has just seemed a bit sluggish. I figured that it was getting to be time to upgrade, and that when my employer sent us our end-of-year bonuses, I'd put that money towards a new computer.

Sunday night, my computer decided to give me a little kick in the pants, and started shutting itself down and refusing to turn back on again. It seems to be an overheating thing - if I unplug it and let it cool down for half an hour, it powers up without complaint, but if I leave it plugged in and running for awhile, it powers off again.

So, I ordered a new 15" MacBook Pro this morning. I guess that's my Chanukah present to myself.

At least I'll be able to watch video in iTunes soon.