I did this after work, or what passes for work the week before Christmas. Yes, I am "working" now.
I take the bus to work this time of year - too snowy and cold to cycle with any degree of enjoyment for me, although I see the odd cyclist. And by odd, I mean they are odd. Ottawa winters are not for cycling.
So I took the bus downtown from work to the Apple store, which was full of red shirted genies (that's the plural of genius, right?), one of whom sold me an iMac. I was smart - I asked how much it weighed. He told me 47 pounds. I figured that's not too heavy to lug home on the bus.
It is.
Here's what I can state with confidence about the 27" iMac.
1. The box is quite sturdy.
2. If you lean a bit away from the side carrying it, it won't hit the ground if you are at least 5'6" tall.
3. The handle is strong enough to hold the weight, even if you take it on and off 3 buses and walk 6 blocks with it.
4. It is heavy. 47 pounds, apparently.
5. It is not portable, even with the aforementioned handle.
6. Picking it up in both arms, ignoring the handle, does not improve its portability. It remains an object intended to be stationary. Not stationery - it is not a paper product, although the box is made out of cardboard.
If you're thinking of buying a 27" iMac, I strongly recommend you avoid public transit while it is in its pre-desk phase. Unlike me, you are probably not too cheap to spend $2k on a computer but not $25 on a cab ride. Or $0.50 on a phone call to your Lexus-driving spouse.
Merry Christmas. Enjoy the return of the light, which is the true reason for the season. And don't hit baby Jesus with sticks - Kenny Loggins wouldn't approve. Read this if you don't know why.
