Clark, capitalization is a finance term, it has nothing to do with computer performance. What I was saying is that businesses generally want to lower software and hardware acquisition expenses (and defer as much of them as possible), and Winderz software and equipment allows them to do just that. AIC software and hardware is too expensive for larger organizations. Most companies I’ve been with go to Dell because you can get all you need for about $600 per user, that’s about 50% less than you could for a comparable Mac.

On the corporate side, which dictates much of the market, it’s a cost-savings thing.

I’ve been lusting after a Drobo for this simply because it is redundant and you can expand it ad hoc. Just a tad too pricey right now to justify. But I really, really want one.

Well, it all depends upon how rock solid your Windows install run. I hear Vista is better in this than XP. Days I’ve lost having to reinstall XP and dozens of programs are days I wish I had back. And having to run anti-virus software constantly that is slowing down everything I do is…frustrating.

Admittedly one can run XP or Vista without getting nasties. (I’ve actually never had any on my installs – they always borked up due to Microsoft rather than the Russian mafia) But it does seem pretty common.

You also have to include in that analysis what happens if your personal financial information gets into criminal hands because of some trojan that is installed via Windows.

Don’t get me wrong. OSX is not as solid security wise as it could be. But as a fact of life it’s also not being targeted the way Windows is. I feel much more confident in OSX that I’m not going to have my identity stolen or my bank account emptied out.

It will be loaded with Open Office, Gimp, Firefox and a music player (I currently prefer Rhythmbox). It will also come with novel writing and screenplay writing software programs. And it only has to have an 8-15 gb hard drive.

The Ausus eee comes close, but what I’m really talking about is an appliance geared towards writing and editing.

So most of the time my laptop functions as a dual screen desktop. But when I want to work on the couch I can pick it up and go without thinking twice.

I also have a first edition Mac mini plugged into the same monitor that gets used as a print server and to play music.

What I really need is not a desktop but a server with massive storage. The 1TB time capsule would do the job, but I want to be able to run distributed backups off it. My brother and I have an evil plan to back all our stuff up to each others houses. We’ll see if it ever happens. Also on my wish list: 30″ monitor.

I am sorry that Susan has not yet discovered the joy of owning a Mac laptop. It is pure ecstasy.

I have both a MacBook Pro and an iMac. I use the MacBook every day. I use the iMac once every two weeks.

Mac Desk top/media center at home. Mac Laptop for my wife. Linux ultra mobile for me (for writing, Web surfing and light image editing).

What we currently have:

A Dell desktop running Ubuntu (Hardy Heron) and sometimes I bring my heavy, unwieldy latptop (running Windows XP, of course) home from work.

What we had up until 10 months ago:

A purple iMac running 8.6.

I think it’s very crafty that they’ve been able to emulate and run just about anything on a Mac. Very cool indeed.

And have they (AIC) finally turned away from the single-button mouse?