New Equipment Anxiety
As I write this post, I am waiting for FedEx to deliver my new laptop. It was ordered a few days ago after literally years of research, confusion and indecision.
The laptop I’m using now is over 10 years old. It is almost full of programs, documents, videos and photographs causing it to slow down, and because it has the Windows 7 operating system which no longer has any support or updates, the system gets a little wonky sometimes.
Watching videos, reels or movies will be without sound as the audio will only play for about 30 seconds before it goes silent.
Although it’s great to have choices I’ve found that there are simply too many when it comes to any electronic device. Computers, laptops, tablets, and phones each have a zillion models. Those in the know advise people to find a computer store locally or online and build your own. It’s supposedly less expensive and you get exactly what you want or need.
The problem with building your own computer or laptop is that you need to have some knowledge of the different components. If you have little to no knowledge of the components that make up a computer how do you know which components you even need?
After finally making a decision, picking out a new laptop and ordering it I spent that night tossing and turning. My mind would race from one thing to another.
For example, I’m very frugal (AKA Cheap) and I started worrying about how much it is going to cost me to purchase new software for the new laptop. Windows 11 will be installed already but what about Word, Excel (which I’ve NEVER used), Adobe Acrobat? Will my iTunes migrate over and how do I do that?
Also, this new laptop does not have a DVD burner/player like my present one. I had asked for and received one for Christmas last year but it’s hooked up to the television that’s across the room from my desk. Are they both equipped with Blue Ray and will that keep me from physically moving the player and trying to find room on my desk for it? And what about the photographs on my camera? This new laptop does not have memory card slot. Why didn’t I order a card reader when I ordered the laptop? I prefer using a mouse so I probably should have ordered a new wireless mouse, too! While I was finally ordering a new laptop why didn’t I also order a new Solid State External Hard Drive since my older one is getting full and probably nearing the end of it’s life expectancy…too many shoulda, woulda, couldas to get much sleep!
Concerns like the ones in the previous two paragraphs haunted me the entire night and filled me full of anxiety carrying into the next day.
It’s probably going to cost me a lot more money than just the cost of the laptop but I hope that it will be worth it. After all, I treat electronics like vehicles – I use/drive them until they either die or nickel and dime me to no end. I have certainly gotten my money’s worth out of this present laptop and it will still be used to some extent.
Interestingly I wrote 673 words of this post, hit Save As and two windows opened up at the same time. One window was the Save As window but everything was grayed out. The second window that had opened was the “This program has stopped working and Microsoft is looking for a solution” message!
Long story short: I had to Restart my laptop (Task Manager would not close the Word program). Luckily, the program had autosaved part of the post, although the saved document was short about 100 words.
Talk about anxiety!
Do you have anxiety about choosing, purchasing and learning about new electronics, appliances or vehicles? If so please share your own anxious experiences in the comment section.
