Mr. Lane, thank you for the advice. I have been looking at every brand out there and it can get confusing. But just think; the rest of the country has to buy your books to get this kind of stuff and I can get it for free! It helps to have influential friends, that's for sure.
Did some online reading this afternoon and laughed mightily when I read this. It mentions Branson, Mo., one of my former hometowns, of which there are plenty. Anyhoo, I hope to buy the much desired laptop soon and hit the road to all kinds of travel related computer adventure.