Go big or go home

Yes, the purchase. I am not known for half measures.

We left the store with a Mac Pro Quad 3.0, complete with 4GB of RAM, an extra 500GB drive for Boot Camp, an ATI X1900 XT video card, a 23″ HD Cinema Display, the enhanced Bluetooth and 802.11n wireless options, and an AppleCare service contract.

I passed on the .Mac option for the moment, figuring that I already had a Google domain and an online backup service provider; might as well see how those fared in the new world before potentially duplicating functionality.

Even with the employee discount available through my employer, a supplier of parts to Apple, this was some serious outlay. However, given that my previous machine had lasted for 6 years, the expected amortization isn’t that bad, and I do this stuff for a living. Further, once spousal approval for this type of thing is obtained, one may as well go for the gusto.