After selling my Newton MessagePad in August, I was now ready to replace it with another portable computer. Trying to be as open-minded as possible, I looked at many companies in my search for a suitable laptop computer including Dell, Compaq, Toshiba, IBM, Gateway, Sony and Apple Computer.

Some of the hardware I looked at was quite impressive. The active matrix screens of the Dell and Gateway laptop computers were beautiful. The Sony VAIO SuperSlim was an admirable piece of engineering. The IBM ThinkPad keyboard had a nice feel to it.

But there was one problem that I just couldn’t get past: the Windows 98 operating system. Yuck!

When I use Windows, it reminds me of why I use Macintosh computers for most of my real work: The Mac is still easier to use — and I spend less time keeping the silly computer running.

Every time I use a Windows computer I have an urge to wash my hands.

I settled on the Apple PowerBook line.

Timing again came into play. Around the middle of August, I started reading on the web about the "newest" Apple PowerBook line. There would be three models announced on September 1. I fixed my sights on the PowerBook G3 266-megahertz — a good combination of price and performance.

I knew these PowerBooks were going to be popular and would probably be in short supply at their introduction. My plan was place an order as soon as possible and try to get one of the first available units. About the third week of September I called five different mail order companies in an attempt to place an order. I was told the same thing by all of them: no orders were being accepted. As a matter of fact, the resellers were under strict instructions from Apple Computer not even to acknowledge that September 1 was the introduction date.

I coaxed one sales person to admit that Apple occasionally tests their resellers by calling them to place early orders for unannounced products. No problem, I thought. I’ll just call back on September 1, even though I’d be on vacation in Disney World at the time.

On September 1, from my Orlando hotel room, I called the CDW mail order company to place my PowerBook order. "Steve", the sale rep, was happy to take my order for the now officially announced PowerBook G3. Although they didn’t have any in stock yet, he was expecting a shipment within a few days. He told me I was only the third person to place an order for this model so I was sure to get one in their first shipment.

Upon returning home from vacation on September 8, I had not yet received my PowerBook from CDW. I called Steve. In a pleasant voice he told me I should receive my computer in "around 10 days or so". I followed up by inquiring whether or not CDW had received and shipped any units yet. He said, yes, but they sold out their first batch of PowerBooks immediately. I again followed up: "When I originally ordered my computer last week you told me I was third on the list. Surely you shipped more than three computers. Why didn’t I get one of them"? Steve didn’t recall our original conversation (no surprise).

After hanging up with CDW, I decided to call another mail order company — MacConnection. They informed me they had 35 of the PowerBook G3’s in stock and would be happy to take my order — and, by the way, the price was $50 less than CDW. I said, "I’ll call you back in two minutes."

I immediately called Steve back at CDW and cancelled my order (he wasn’t too happy), and then followed up with a second call to MacConnection to officially place my laptop order.

I had my new PowerBook G3 at 10:00am the next morning, and am very happy with my choice.

Once again, timing is everything.

Return to list of articles & speeches

© 1999 Beato Enterprises Inc. May not be reprinted without permission.