So last night, my powerbook started making funny sounds. So I shut it down, and started it back up. I left to get something to drink, and when I got back, the screen was black. OK. I tried to make sure the brightness on the screen was turned up. Nope. But wait, I can hear the volume going up and down if I adjusted it. The caps lock button was working. The computer was on, but the display just died. Totally died. I hooked up an external monitor and it works fine. I guess after 5 or 6 years, it’s done with. Yes, I have one of the original Titanium Powerbooks. It’s old, and it still works (I’m making this post with it after all!) but what use is a laptop without the use of the screen? I might as well call it a very expensive Mac Mini.

So, I try to order a new macbook from the Apple Store. I decide to opt for the 13” macbook. I don’t think I honestly need the Pro, and I know I don’t need a superdrive. I already have a DVD writer on my PC. So making sure that I can get next day air shipping ($27, which doesn’t Really seem so bad to me), they tell me my card is declined. Whoa, I don’t think so. I’ve got plenty of money people. I attribute it to the fact that it’s late at night, and so I decide to call.

Yeah, while they don’t say talking to a real person to make an order is 24/7, I kinda assumed it would be. Yes, I was wrong. When I selected the option for buying a mac for home/educational purposes, it just hung up on me. Twice. So not wanting to get hung up on three times, I decide I’m going to call them in the morning and order it “manually.”

I called this morning, and it was a great experience. The gentleman I talked to (I forgot his name already) was very nice, very cool, and I got it ordered. I received a “confirmation number”, which in reality is a Web Order Number, I waited for a confirmation email. Don’t these people realize I’m in a rush here? I need that laptop tomorrow already!

But I thought about something. They give me a Web Order Number, which I can check the status of on the web. Um, okay, so even if I call in to order a Macbook (or probably anything from the Apple Store), all the person online does is do the order online for me. Well shit people. I could have done that myself. What’s the big deal then you ask? Well, I thought that ordering through a real person would be faster, but no, it’s just as fast as ordering it online.

I guess there are so many people ordering macs right now, that my order must take at least a few hours to even be confirmed that I made it. Riiiiight.

[UPDATED] I was able to order my macbook. However, now I’m just waiting to see if it will ship today or tomorrow. If it ships today, very good! If tomorrow, then oh well. I *was* going to use it during the blogathon…but alas no.

Oh, and the reason for the bank problems? My bank was being cautious and declined because of the amount charged. Thank you bank, but could you be open 24 hours a day so I could have fixed this last night when I made the order? :P