The keyboard thing is a little bit of a concern too. I really perfer full-sized keyboards. I’m finally getting somewhat used to the keyboard on this Dell Latitude, but I definitely want a “real” keyboard under my fingers again. And don’t get me started about how keyboard makers have put the Caps Lock key where god meant the control key to go. I have to swap it on every machine I own. And heaven forbid I use someone else’s computer. The number of times that “PA” appear on command lines in those situations would be funny where it not so painful.

I should be less greedy about system specs for the laptop, maybe that would free up enough for a both-upgrade. But I still don’t think I can swing it. Thanks for your input!

(1) My strategy for Mac laptops has been to buy low-end gear, especially something from a line that has just gotten a newer better version, ’cause those are often available at discounts, and I only really use it as a terminal, web browser, and Quicken, anyway.

(2) For a laptop, the Macs are pretty nice. But, the screens are kind of small; they’re big and wide for movies, I guess, but you won’t find 1200×1024 or 1600×1200 on Macs, which is too bad.

(3) For a desktop, I like buying whitebox hardware from a place called Directron, who will build a custom box for you, either based on one of their standard configurations (with upgrades or downgrades as you like), or assemble a machine completely from parts. (Or just sell you the parts to assemble yourself, or just individual spare parts, as you like. One of their lines is “quiet systems”, and I have one of those which is pretty quiet and which I like a lot.

I dunno whether you should get a desktop or a laptop. I have a Linux desktop which I use when I want a bigger screen, better keyboard, and better environment overall, and a Mac laptop that I use when I want to be somewhere other than where my Linux box is. :^) It’s a decent combination.