I hear a lot more people saying they want smaller, not larger, laptops, so I get not keeping them in stock all over the place.

I wasn't paying attention when I bought my new laptop. I love it, but it's not very portable. The 17" screen doesn't fit in my briefcase or other laptop bag, so it's kind of a pain. It's great for an at home computer, though. I have a work laptop that I travel with, so it's not that big of a deal.

I totally get that the 17" isn't for everyone. I agree that it's a bit of a pain to haul around, but for someone like me who does audio and video work on it, it's a godsend. Having full 1080p on the laptop display is amazing, and actually being able to see a huge chunk of my mix in ProTools is also the way to go. I'll just keep my fingers crossed that eventually the fat bastard MacBook get the updated treatment too.

ND, if for some reason you ever need a backup 17" Pro, let me know and I will be happy to send you my old one.

Thanks. This one is only about 15 months old, but I tend to replace every 18 months or so. It's my second 17" and I've adored them.

Oh, I hear ya. I LOVED mine. I was able to get two and if absolutely necessary, three pages of manuscript on the screen, which rocked when doing revisions, but like I said, the hauling around was a pain. If they ever make one that's a bit lighter, I may just go back to it. Also, as Vortex said, it's a pain to find bags that will accommodate them comfortably.

I'm looking at all three breeds of MacBooks, and I honestly have no idea which one to get. I've never used a laptop before, and I have no idea how I would use it. Do I want something to carry around with me? Do I want a desktop replacement?

It doesn't help that the high-end MacBook, the low-end Pro and the Air are all at approximately the same price point.

It doesn't help that the high-end MacBook, the low-end Pro and the Air are all at approximately the same price point.

Get all three and make them fight!

I like laptops as my main computer for their small, mobile profile... on my dining room table. OK, now that I have wireless it also moves to...a tv table in front of the couch. Only one piece I can close and not look at. I really ddn't like having a monitor on the table when the old laptop screen went on the fritz. I've never travelled with one yet (but the old one was tethered to a phone line, no wireless.)

I would have to say that for someone who wants basic functionality, and compatibility with the world, and lives in an XP environment, XP is probably the way to go. I love my underpowered Linpus notebook, but specifically for very light use.

Shir, if you are that un-tech, I'd say look again at MacOS

I'm hardly familiar with Macs. They're really not common in Israel, since Apple doesn't have a good local support for them here and the lack of Apple stores. We can't even have iTunes, for instance - Apple doesn't accept Israeli credit cards.