Multitasking

I never really gave much thought about the specs on the computers. If they can load the office suite and access the internet, then it's sufficient. However, there are days when I want / need to do 10 things at the same time under a deadline and I wished I had a computer/os that worked.

Here are the things that I needed to do in 20 minutes.

1. Burn a catalogue on cd.
2. Confirmation emails.
3. Final checks on documents.
4. Print documents.
5. Internet for sending packages.
6. Back up information before powering down for the day.
7. Photo upload from camera
8. Touching up / processing photos / while being uploaded from camera.
9. Final adjustments on website using a lightweight application
10. Update information on a database.

I completed 9 of the above tasks.

It wasn't the CD burning that let me down, it was printing the documents which seemed to take forever, when under normal circumstances, there was no problem whatsoever.

I don't mind the disk activity, or the pauses between the application, or the crammed look on my desktop, I just want something that works.

Things I have pondered.

• Switch to a mac - Not possible. since some of the applications / net services require a pc / iexplorer.
  
• Bootcamp - Not possible, since I would be running into the same problems.
• Parallels - Cutting and pasting between the two os? Sharing data?
  
• RAM/CPU. Started with 512mb, then 1gb and now 2gb - dual core. I refuse to believe I need 4gb of ram for general office duties!
• Have a second PC / Laptop - Do I have to fire up 2 computers just to do my general office duties?
• Linux - See switch to a mac. Oh and which version or flavor! The manuals gave me a headache.