Quote:
Originally posted by Ramster
Ok I'm going to take a serious look at a Mac then.
I have to restart my Windows 98 PC at least once a day. 
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I restart my Win2000 PC and my WinXP every few months and that's usually becasue of power outages or new hardware. Win98 sucked by the new stuff actually works well.
You're asking a big question and there can't be a good answer without more detail. It's almost like asking what kind of car you should buy without telling people if it will be used for the new family car or a weekend sportster.
I travelled a lot in my former life and I've hauled everything from 45 lbs portables to under 3 lbs mini laptops.
Battery power is an issue if you're going to spend a lot of time on air planes and you can be productive during travel. If 99% of the time that you use it you'll be next to a power outlet then who cares?
If you travel a lot you will notice that 1 lbs makes a bigger difference then you think.
DO NOT UNDER ESTIMATE THE ADVANTAGES OF A QUALITY KEYBOARD.
There's a big price difference in screen prices. You probably want something that's similar to what you use now but figure out how you will be viewing the screen (from differnt angles, in sun light, etc.)
Just like buying any computer, get the fastest processor that you can afford so it will last longer. Memory you may be able to add in the future but HD space is difficult and expensive with laptops.
Go to the manufacturer's website and look for drivers. If you're buying model XXX123 you don't want to see drivers for XXX123 v1.1, XXX123 v1.2a, XXX123 v1.2b becasue the line is a lemon.
All that being said it's been a few years since I've had to haul laptops around but IBM always made quality laptops (not desktops) that used pretty much off the shelf stuff. My last laptop was a Sony and although installing software on it took days the keyboard and screen rocked.