Jessica, FWIW, I haven't noticed the drive noise on mine. I got it last November, so I guess it should be dying any day now.

Jessica ... go for the cheapest you can find. The new formats will be released fairly soon, making existing DVD players obsolete. No sense wasting money on an expensive player if that's the case. The new format players will also play existing dvd discs.

Knock on wood, my Philips 727 has been going strong for a few years now, and that unit supposedly is also prone to unexpected failure.

Okay. I'm gearing up to buy my first new computer in, literally, 10 years. I'm a little intimidated by the whole process. Despite the fact that I am a "technical" writer I'm really not very tech savvy at all.

So, I was hoping I could get some advice from you guys. I'm sorry if my questions are kinda dumb. (but you all won't be able to see me blushing and stammering like, say, the guys in the Apple store would if I asked them.)

I'm pretty sure I'm going to get an iBook. That seems to be the most practical option to me. I'm set on getting a Mac and I think I could really use something portable. So, in addition to the things I think come standard with the iBook I would like to:

• be able to use it anywhere. Is this pretty easy to set up? Is the ability to do this built in or will I need to buy an additional component to make it happen? (again apologizing for my ignorance)

• be able to record music with it. I know I'm going to have to get some kind of device to do this. I just want to record practices. The sound quality does not have to be supafine at all.

• Also I want an iPod, of course, but I'm thinking a Shuffle will actually suit me best (I'll want it mainly for when I'm, ugh, running on the treadmill at the gym). However, I'd really like to be able to set it up to work in my car. Do those car adapter kits only work with the full-sized iPods?

I'll probably need to get Word for it in order to do fun stuff like Work from Home when I need to. I'm pretty sure I can buy that unbundled with the rest of Office, which I really won't need. Aside from that I can't think of anything I really need it to do that it isn't already able to do.

Unless there's something I haven't considered at all. Any suggestions are welcome!

If you go to store.apple.com and click on the "Looking for a great deal?" link on the right side, Apple is currently selling refurbed iBooks starting at $799.00

Apple is currently selling refurbed iBooks starting at $799.00

Is that a good idea? Honestly, I'm a little wary of buying something used.

eta It seems like an okay thing based on how Apple describes their refurbishment process...Of course, now I'm thinking maybe I should just buy a refurbished PowerBook! But why would I really need one?

So, in addition to the things I think come standard with the iBook I would like to:

be able to use it anywhere. Is this pretty easy to set up? Is the ability to do this built in or will I need to buy an additional component to make it happen? (again apologizing for my ignorance)

Super-duper easy. You open the lid, and away you go.

be able to record music with it. I know I'm going to have to get some kind of device to do this. I just want to record practices. The sound quality does not have to be supafine at all.

The iBook should come with GarageBand installed. I've never used it, but I understand that it's pretty damned cool.

be able to use it anywhere. Is this pretty easy to set up? Is the ability to do this built in or will I need to buy an additional component to make it happen? (again apologizing for my ignorance)

If you're talking Internet, you'll need an AirPort card, which may or may not come with it, depending on the model you buy (I think the more you spend, the more stuff comes on it). If you want wireless Internet at home, you'll also need an AirPort base station. The AirPort card will let you connect to wireless networks all over the place but some of them charge so, it isn't necessarily free.

I'd also like to know how to choose between an iBook and a PowerBook. I have my heart set on a PowerBook but I probably don't really need the extras. But it's so pretty!!

If you're talking Internet, you'll need an AirPort card, which may or may not come with it, depending on the model you buy

I think all iBooks now come with Airport.

Ah. I bought my iBook several years ago and it wasn't standard then. I'm glad they are now.