Having spent the better part of the last decade in the 'puter' bidness, I suspect I am in a position to offer an opinion on notebook type devices. Not recommendations, just opinions, cuz computers are a lot like pie - every one has their own preferences, and I can't really tell you what you need, but I can tell you what you might want to avoid and why. But, at the end of the day, a computer has to get done what you need it to get done and when one it isn't capable, it's about as worthless as hard-crusted pie. What that all means, is that features and functions play an important role, but there are precious few folk out there that are schooled in the computing arts to the extent that they can solve all of their own problems, hardware, software or otherwise. So, service is king. All kinds of ratings out there, and statistics can be bent more ways than a warmed up contortionist, so I'll give you my $.02 worth - IBM, Dell and Gateway, probably in that order. I have dealt with the first two on a professional basis for years, and the third on a personal level of well over 10. Gateway, however seems to be moving their focus towards other product types, and my not have quite the edge I have always appreciated in their support corner. So, in looking at Big Blue and Dude, it is probably going to come down to selecting rock solid functionality, or cutting edge performance and technology, respectively. I have used IBM laptops for years. They are just darn near bullet proof. They are designed specifically for the road warrior. If you travel extensively, this is probably how you want to go. On the other hand, if you move your laptop from the office to the boardroom, or from the coffee shop to the dorm, look at a Dell. Expect to pay a little more for the IBM, but be assured that simplicity of design will most likely mean it is going to do what you ask every time. On a Dell, you can expect exceptional performance in a unit that will do considerably more, but you might need to call Tech Support on occasion to resolve this conflict or that. Regardless, buy on-line and get the latest model in your price range. Buying at any store will get you a unit that has been in transit and a warehouse long enough that it might as well be last year's model, and you will also be paying a retailer' markup. Cheap don't always mean a bargain. Don't get bogged down with paying too much for storage space, but do make sure that the bays are swappable, so you can substitute more battery, or storage, or DVD as necessary. Remember, too, that huge screens and lots of built in goodies are going to mean added weight. Again, if you travel, weight sucks, but if not, most Starbuck's tables will support the weight of any monster laptop. Just for grins, slip over to a Panasonic website and look at their Toughbooks. Now that's what I'm talkin' about.

Be happy and careful