I think I may give in and buy a digital camera for my upcoming trip. Who has recs for a fairly easy to use, lightweight camera? (and who wants to hold my hand and talk me through learning to use it?)

I decided to buy a 12 inch Powerbook last week because I wanted to make sure I got a 12 inch G4 while I still could. I figured the first batch of these Intel-based laptops would be too full of problems and too hard to get this year and I've needed a new computer for a long time.

Reading the announcements - I had about 10 minutes of panic filled buyers remorse. I mean - five times faster? And I am still within my 30-day period where I could return it no questions. But that's crazy - I don't need something that is five times faster - I am not making movies on it or anything.

I love the 12-inch - it's so compact. It's silly to think of returning it only to wait all year for a new 15 inch that will probably have a boatload of bugs.

I feel like I made the right decision. But man - the MacBook does sound pretty cool.

Apple Store is up, with pictures!

[link]

eta: this is such a good idea:

MagSafe Connector
Mobile users will love the new power adapter featuring the MagSafe Connector — a magnetic DC plug that both ensures a tight connection and enables a clean break from the power port when there is undue tension. It prevents the MacBook Pro from being pulled off of a desk when the cord is accidentally tripped over, and it protects the power cord from wear and tear.

Tina, I'm hoping that the MacBook Pro announcement will lead to the used market being flooded with 12" Power and iBooks. I'm still paying off the G5 I bought in April, so buying another new computer isn't an option, 4-5x faster or not.

Perkins, I recently bought a Canon SD400. It's tiny, light, and simple. I'm not in love with the transfer software, but it does the job. So far I've found Kodak's software the easiest (Nikon's is okay).

Thanks! It's probably not a good sign that my first reaction was "software? Cameras aren't supposed to have software!", is it?

t /photo luddite

Our camera doesn't have software. It just hooks up to the computer, and the computer treats it like an external drive.

Well, I think you can plug the camera straight into a printer and avoid all that. It'll cost you in memory and consumables, though.

DH has a Nikon Coolpix that we both really like.

I highly recommend playing with the sample cameras at your local Best Buy (or wherever) to see which brand's interface suits you best.

[eta that I've never used the file transfer software of any digital camera I've had -- it's always been much easier to let the computer recognize it as a camera and import the pictures for me]

Our camera doesn't have software. It just hooks up to the computer, and the computer treats it like an external drive.

What brand camera is that? All of mine have also worked that way, but I end up using the transfer software since it makes the filing easier.