HaHaHa

the brits have a way with words, don't they? I was about to do this myself tomorrow, put linux on a budget compaq...
think much has changed in 4 years? Probably not, but since I paid close to $2k (over that if you consider interest) for a "top of the line" dell that only lasted me 3.5 years before the hard drive died ($400 they asked to send me a replacement) I have a different outlook on laptops: they are dispensable. they are to be replaced every three years or less -in my case I already plan to have a different one down the road not long after the 1 year manufacturer's warranty expires...