...just ordered a Dell Desktop for home. Can't argue with the above benefits for a laptop over desktop, but I don't need the portabilty.

As a data point (or a couple) for $1258 I got the following:
Dell Dimension 8300
2.66 Ghz
512m RAM
120G Harddisk
64M Video
16x DVD
48x CD-RW
8(!) USB2 ports
"17 Flat Panel monitor

While PC's are certainly still advancing (esp. in the Wireless broadband arena), I'm hearing we've reached a plateau (at least for a couple years) in terms of hardware advances. A new (mid-line) PC today should last you awhile if you're not a hard-core gamer or video/photo editor.

Regards,
- Ryan

__________________
'95 E420 - 'Shadowfax' 138kmi.
'92 Volvo 740Turbo Bard 193kmi
'74 240D - 'Ol' Green' 4spd Manual 104kmi. (sold )
'77 300D - 'Red' 223kmi (sold)
'75 240D - 'Bianca the Blue Bomber' (sold)