LOVE, Kloudiia

I’m certain everyone of us has a list with all the traits and qualities you like your partner to be, and to possess.

I have mine when it comes to notebook too. Putting the two lists side by side – Pow wow! The uncanny similarities are too obvious to be ignored.

If you were to ask me what notebook will I buy 2 months ago, I would tell you, without batting an eyelid “IBM Thinkpad or iMac”.

Ask me this again 1 month later, I wasn’t so sure after all. What can make my stance shake when I wouldn’t even want to consider other brands just 30 days before?

The reason is simple, because I haven’t done my shopping! And, I haven’t prioritise my list! It was only when I have done my homework, then can I sort them according to the level of importance, in descending order. When IBM Thinkpad and iMac can’t fulfill ,my top two requirements, I have to rule them out as not suitable. Period.

But I wouldn’t have discovered this if I didn’t shop around, and with all the information I collected, sat down and seriously ponder over the critical questions on the whys, my mind will stay fixated, and not willing to open up and explore other opportunities.

Current circumstances affect what you need, and future considerations will affect your want. While I was fully satisfied with my IBM in Hong Kong, the weight and battery life does not fulfill my needs now. Yet, it is undeniably a very reliable hardware, and there are thousands or millions of people out there who will buy them because of this.

The same goes for choosing a boyfriend or husband. As I’ve mentioned before in my earlier posts, if your checklist spreads out, it will surely measure a yard or longer.

By not realising and priortising your list, when someone comes along who do not meet one of your consideration, you mark him out completely. But, is he really not for you, or is it because you don’t know what type of person suits you?

Let’s examine them one by one, and see how they measure up with relation to my notebook affair.

External criteria

I can’t deny I prefer to have a non-black notebook, because it is much more pleasing to the eye. Yet, when it comes to the straight Yes or No item, this is not the 1st, nor the 2nd place in my checklist. It only goes to show how much importance I place on the look.

Here comes the Number 1 most important criteria that decides if it’s a make or break deal -  the weight. It has to be lesser than 1.3kg in weight, and it has to be slim. Next on the list is the length of battery life, which, if you can see the relation, points to the need for me to have the notebook, which is portability. If it is heavy and I have to constantly bring the power plug wherever I go (adds to the weight!), then it does not serve my purpose at all.

A person’s appearance is what catches your eye first. This is the general rule, it is undeniable. This is the first level of attraction. But, it is not all you are looking for.

You are attracted to a man who have a certain look and bearing, preferably of a certain height and build. But these usually are just preferred, and in the absense of some core traits in them, I guarantee you will not choose him to be the one, unless and only if he is a showcase item for you to show the world (which I dare say this will not apply to those who are seeking for a serious relationship!)

Packaging also makes a huge difference. Not just notebooks, any merchandise fancifully warpped up will appeal to and capture your heart, compared to one that looks as if they have been left on the shelf for decades. Again, this is when you are comparing two items that are relatively new and you have not heard of any reviews or comments made about them, like two men whom you have just met and are total strangers to you just minutes ago before the introduction.

A man’s packaging comes in the form of their career, where they live in, what car do they drive, what and how many credit cards do they have in their wallets. In a nutshell, these are things that can be seen from your naked eyes, without any form of introspection and time together to discover.

The more “accomplished” they are in these material gains, the more “eligble” they appear in the eyes of women. The reason why I put them in quotation marks is because, these are really superficial in relation to what exactly it is that makes him who he is. And I know of many women out there who do not choose a man just because he drives a car, or holds a certain position in the company. Yes, what women want is a man with a stable career, as this gives the relationship some form of financial stability, not someone who is wealthy. So accomplishment is not really measured in these gains. They really are just, packaging. They do not assure you of this man’s quality, which are internal characteristics.

Internal characteristics

These are the features and specifications in a notebook. There consist of must-haves, and how-i-wish-it-has. If your guy does not even qualify on your must-have list, then you know he isn’t for you. It’s not that he is not a good man, he just isn’t suitable.

I know I must have a SD card reader, for example. And I know this isn’t too much to ask for. 1GB RAM, 60G Hard disk sets the minimum standard for the performance I need. Good news is, these can be upgraded, with a higher price of course.

If this man you are dating is not, say, honest, emotionally stable, then you should give him a miss. Because these are essential qualities to determine one’s integrity, and of course, whether or not he can give you the stability and security which I’m sure all girls need and want to have.

Can your man be upgraded? Sure he can! The price to pay for is time and money. You look at the notebook’s upgrading potential (e.g maximum speed is 1.5GB RAM means you can add 1GB to the original 512MB) and know its performance can be enhanced. If the man is keen to learn and invest in personal development, and one of your top value is personal growth as well, then he’s definitely a keeper since he matches you.

At the same time, if you are attracted to more fancy stuff, like the media function in Sony notebooks plus their proprietory VAIO internal software, then you will be very tempted to buy this and not the rest. Similarly, if you like your man to be humorous, romantic, always have something up in his sleeve to give you surprises and make you happy, then you won’t fall for someone who is the typical routine guy whose schedule is so predictable that you know you will catch him at the time and place where he is supposed to be and will be at.

Bonuses

Nowadays, vendors are throwing in freebies (especially if you go to expos liKe The PC Show 2006), and now all new PCs and notebooks come bundled with at least the free Operating System. For my Sony, it comes with even more, like Photoshop! And during the promotion, they are even giving away free MS Office. Doesn’t this sweeten the deal for you, to get more with the same price?

You only find these bonuses tempting if the give-aways are what you will need, and like. Because I need Photoshop, so I’m really glad that I have this already installed. Yet, for someone who doesn’t need this may not find the worth to pay more for this notebook.

A man who cooks well is a desirable bonus. But it doesn’t kill your affection towards him if isn’t a good cook. So, these are just additional goodies on a plate that makes you more satisfied, yet not essential to fill the stomach.

How about being romantic. Is it a need or is it a bonus?

References

What are the reviews of the notebook by experts in the industry, users whom you do not know, friends who have bought and used it, and finally from non-users of their perception.

If you have the real intention to buy, you will read up those reviews from established and well-trusted publications. Concurrently, asking friends for their comments can be part of the SOP before you make the actual spending.

How about asking your friends who also know the guy you are dating about what they know about him? Could be the ones who introduced you to him, or could be their opinion on him after hanging out together.

Whatever outside observations about him you get, you are still the one who has to feel and gauge if he is the one for you, because only you gets to see the non-packaged styled-up man, and the real person he is, to himself and to you.

Summing up, looking for the right partner is a process that requires you to first know what you need, then you can find out how suitable he is. Do not be blinded or led by superficial things that entice you, but pay attention to the intimate details that suit you.

[tags]Attraction,Dating,Criteria[/tags]