Let me update you on the situation at hand...

Core 2 Duo, merom (the ones I have been waiting for) processors have been released today. The catch is that they're only in PC laptops. Apple usually waits for a Tuesday to unveil their new products so either tomorrow (Aug. 29th) or next week (Sept. 5th). I'm guessing they're a week away but if they arrive tomorrow I'm going to soil myself.

'New' Logo

Apparently while in Colorado the inevitable happened. Large rumors started to surface at Macrumors.com and some articles at Slashdot.org (both reliable news sites for all things 'nerd') explaining that new 64-bit Intel chips will arrive on the MacBook Pros in September. Here are the articles:

Two From MacRumors.com
MacBook, MacBook Pro To See Merom Upgrade Next Month?

Core 2 Duo Based Macs... September?

One From Slashdot.org
Merom in MacBook and MacBook Pros in September?


Merom is the name given for Intel's new 64-bit (as opposed to current 32-bit) portable CPU that Apple plans on shipping...sometime next month.

Sept. 5th apparently

GOOD NEWS and BAD NEWS

The good news is I have apparently saved up enough money (with the help of my own apple credit account) to purchase this wretched (financially) yet killer computer. Currently I'm with my family in Colorado visiting my brother bear-it (brt). I figured that if I'd bought the computer before the trip I was told I wouldn't pay a lick of attention to my family which is absolutely true.
The bad news is I have an Apple Credit Account. Hopefully I can build up some credit without myself becoming property of Apple Computer.

I'll return on August the 16th and buy the laptop shortly after.

So I'm starting to get back on track (money wise), however I have one more financial 'hump' to embrace... and in no way do I consider this an annoying 'hump', I sincerely enjoy these expenses. Which expenses??!?! IT'S BIRTHDAY SEASON. 3/5 of my immediate family's birthdays are in August. Sidney's is first (3rd), Kipper's second (15th), and Barrett's is third (21st). Sidney's present is always easy to find, the other two take a little bit more imagination. Oh yeah, and Brandy's b-day is the 13th.
"So Tyler dis har MacBook Pro, whit in sam hell are ye use-n-it fer?"
Good Question
3 things
1. Music Production (Writing, Editing)
Using Reason is both an incredible and frustrating process. My midi keyboard (Ports-eh-sizer) allows me create with ease, however every time I try to create my aged Dell slaps me in the face.

2. Organization, Planning (Teaching, School, Gigs)
As life gets busier my bad-ass MoleSkine calendar keeps all my events right in front of me. With teaching underway and lesson plans starting to encroach its nice to keep everything in sync and with me at all times.

3. Various BS (blogging, design, some gaming)
I have some great ideas for a weekly music blog using old and rare LPs. Anyway this blog is, lets face it abysmal and with the new iWeb application

I only have about 2 weeks of solid Charlotte Country Club Work in me. I got a raise, I know how to skirt tables, make a Sea Breeze cocktail, hit the green with a 4 iron, how to fill out a chit, thats right 'chit,' and how to tell a pinot gr. from a chardonnay. Every now and then I think about this laptop I'm saving up for and how every hour of work is going towards it, its worth it.

Along with painting my walls, drums, stomach in the Apple Computer rainbow scheme I've become an avid MacWorld reader

MacWorld's Buying Advice

"The 17-inch MacBook Pro is a faboulous machine for people who can afford it and who conclude that its high performance, huge screen, and impressive veratility justify its size and weight. If you make heavy use of Adobe Creative Suite and other applications not yet available in Universal format, you may want to steer clear of the MacBook Pro for now. As for everyone else, Apple's latest 17-inch model once again defines the gold standard for portable computing"

MacWorld August 2006 pg. 28

My 97' Honda has had to have a timing belt replaced.....twice in the past week. Needless to say this has set me back quite a bit.

• Overheats on the way to the beach
• Waterpump broken... pump & timing belt replaced (beach)
  
• Took car in to get A/C fixed (Charlotte)
• Told my waterpump is leaking (generic model I guess), drive belt damaged
• Brand new timing belt package... drive belt, waterpump (all Honda parts)
• still no A/C... I'll sweat the summer out....again
  

No worries though I'll just wait a little longer for the MacBook.

After all the car costs, I have $798 in savings. Thats less than I had when I started! I should be reimbursed soon from the first auto shop.

I'm back from the beach and back to work at the Charlotte Country Club. Next Monday I was told I will get a raise, not sure how much but it doesn't matter. I should hopefully be able to work non-stop for the rest of the summer giving me some definite headway to closing the MacBook deal.

Here's EXACTLY what I'm looking at buying.

17" MacBook Pro

Specifications

2.16GHz Intel Core Duo 1GB 667 DDR2 - 1 SO-DIMM 120GB Serial ATA drive @ 5400 rpm MacBook Pro 17-inch Widescreen Display SuperDrive 8x DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English AirPort Extreme Card & Bluetooth 17-inch TFT Display

________________________________________

TOTAL------------------------------------------------->$2,599

I would like to upgrade the RAM if its financially possible.