During the last three years, I have decided to give myself a birthday gift all wrapped up with a small tag that reads, “To: Omar, From: Omar”. That way, I know I’ll be getting at least one birthday present. It’s like an emotional insurance or safety net if you will.
I started with a digital camera in 2008 and a sleek smart phone in 2009. This year, I’m still thinking about it. On my list are:
- A “All-in-One” computer system.
- A DSLR camera.
- A WiFi Kindle electronic book reader.
- An Apple iPod Touch.
- A 19″ high-resolution monitor.
In order to get the most bang from my buck, I’m reading about all of the above on the Internet. There are so many choices that’s it’s a difficult task making a decision and not feeling guilty for buying a lemon after spending my hard-earned dough.
Last week I went to Metro Mall to take a look at a HP computer system which I had seen on the Internet. Hewlett-Packard recently opened an outlet in a joint venture with Panafoto. I was curious to see what they carried and the range of prices for the gift of my dreams.
This is how the computer store looked like. I felt like a fish in the water inside this geeky place. Take a look; you might feel the same way if you enjoy computers.
Photograph of a Hewlett-Packard store at Metro Mall in Panama City, Panama. The place was decorated in very good taste. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
During my visit at the store, I noticed how popular the laptops and the notebooks were. The classic tower CPUs were gone. All the desktop computers were "All-in-One" models. That seems to be the trend in Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
A general view of the store. The system that captured my attention is the one towards the right beside the computer with the green monitor. It has a price tag of a little over a thousand bucks. It's a little steep for me, but its features are outstanding. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
Fortunately my birthday is on December, so I still have a couple of months before making my final decision. But let me say, it’s very hard to decide when there are so many nice things out there. If only I had a limitless wallet the decision would be to buy them all. Day dreaming, I know. Meanwhile, I’m busy making a purchasing decision and counting my greenbacks in the process Good Day.
Omar,
You might want to add the Apple Ipad to your list. For normal internet surfing, email and looking at your photos its great. Not as powerful as most laptops but w/ WIFI its very fast and much better than standard book reader.
Saludos
Jim
Hi Jim:
Now that you mention it, I just added it to the list. It slipped my mind. The letters and numbers on the touch screen are huge. I like that.
Thanks a bunch,
Omar.-
Omar,
I bought one for my wife and she loves it when she can get it out of hands. Its a pleasure playing with it, fast, easy to read and fun to use.
Saludos
jim
Hi Jim:
Good for your wife! Did you buy it here in Panama or in the States? Can you share with us the surfing speed and the clarity of the screen when you use it outside under a bright sun?
In Panama our days are mostly sunny.
Regards,
Omar.-
Omar,
I also live in Panama and the screen is excellent inside and out. I enjoy that screen more than my laptop. I live in Cerro Azul so only have 100 speed and its much faster than my laptop or my desktop. You have to see one to believe it, its instant on and off, no waiting. I bought it on Amazon and had it sent down using Miami Express. We bought the 64GB model w/ WIFI and so far its excellent. I looked in Panama but did not see one at the Apple stores. Apples prices here in Panama are close to the same as in the states so when they finally arrive, should be cheaper to buy local than paying duty when it arrives.
Saludos
Jim
Hi Jim:
Welcome to Panama. Cerro Azul is perfect for having a year-long spring with perfect weather. I was there about six months ago, and enjoyed every single second. It looks like a giant garden, with beautiful flowers and well-trimmed lawns. The residential area is awesome with spectacular mansions.
Yes, when the iPad get here, the prices should be similar to those of the States. There’s a nice Apple store over at Metro Mall. I’ll take a look next Sunday and find out about their availability.
When you come down to Panama City, we could drink a coffee together and talk more about the iPad and other geeky stuff.
Saludos,
Omar.-