I'm shocked at how cheap it is to buy a new system compared to upgrading an old. It doesn't make a lot of sense to upgrade anymore unless you are in need of certain components you can't get in an off the shelf system.

On another note I just bought my first laptop. I got a sweet deal from Dell. Lattitude 2.2 GHz Duo Core Processor, Windows XP, 3 GB Ram, 80 GB HDD, 15.4" screen, 9-cell battary, and 512mb Graphics card. Total price including tax (free shipping) $1004 and some change.

It showed up a day early yesterday, but I only had time to install AVG and run a few of the Microsoft updates on XP before I dropped off to sleep last night.

I'm kind of wishing I bought the 17", but I was really trying to keep it at $1000.

I could have gotten a faster system for the same price or cheaper if I'd gone with a desktop replacement, however I'm tired of being stuck in one place while I use my computer. the laptop gives me freedom to be anywhere in my house (or on the road for that matter). The other downside is I'm used to using 2 20" LCD monitors. I can plug one of them in to the laptop, which I will use as my primary viewing monitor and leave the toolbars and peripheral stuff on the laptop's LCD.