Thinkpad T42p 14" with ubuntu 8.10 + 24" LCD with USB hub + keyboard + wireless logitech mouse, + 2 GB RAM Laptops are like cars - they depreciate the most in

Thinkpad T42p 14" with ubuntu 8.10 + 24" LCD with USB hub + keyboard + wireless logitech mouse, + 2 GB RAM Laptops are like cars - they depreciate the most in the first year or two. Go for a corporate laptop just off the refresh cycle. - IBM build quality - fast enough as a decent backup to a desktop - runs windows in vmware for testing, .net apps - Ubuntu just works - good size, weight - Costs approximately laptop: $350 + LCD $300 Alternately I bought my daughter an MSI Wind with Suse (switched to Ubuntu) and I find myself using it quite frequently. Very light, great build quality + great screen.(Also Mac Compatibility now with the Realtek 8187SE drivers).