Off the rack PCs, I cut that cord years ago. I’ve been building my own machines (non-laptop) for about 10 years now. So in a small sense I'm my own customer service. Vista: this one I'm taking a wait and see approach, I have not downloaded any of the betas yet. Mico$oft has a lot riding on this one and if they stumble they could pay a big price (OS wise). Linux looks like it is ready to make a serious challenge to the long-standing dominance of M$. No Linux will not conquer Balmer and company anytime soon but they could see a serious increase in market share especially with movement from Oracle, Suse\Novell and the very popular Ubuntu. What I hear come from those who are mostly on RC2 of Vista. The most common comment is that Vista is a serious resource hog. Unlike anything seen in previous releases. I frequent the sites where users build there own machines so compatibility is based more on the motherboards used (Tyan, Asus, MSI, etc.). So far compatibility seems good. The main issues are with video drivers where ATI seems to be the usual suspect. Most are using machines built within the last 3 years or so. There you would fine CPUs in the P4 for Intel class and Athlon 64 & Opteron class for AMD. 64-bit OS users seem not have any more concerns than 32-bit users. I can't help but think that MicroBuck$ have bitten off a large bite here trying to satisfy many with this release (security types, media types, 64-bt types, Linux curious, etc.). We'll have to wait and see.

Apple TV announced

The advancement of tech. I'm gonna see 'bout gettin' one to download concerts if possible. Amazing.

Speaking of Apple, am I the only one that doesn't "get" the video Ipod? Unless you are a frequent traveler that uses a plane or a train I see no purpose for this device.

I guy here at work just bought one for the hell of it and he's acting like it's the greatest thing since the walkman but he doesn't travel at all and he already has 4 TV's in his house. Watching Lord of the Rings on a 1.5" screen just doesn't appeal to me.

I don't get it but it sounds like they are flying off the shelves. What am I missing??

I'm with you Steve. Maybe there is some value in major metro areas with lengthy commutes.
When I travel, I want to see stuff along the way, not TV.

Steve, you're missing the same thing I am missing. Forget Lord of the Rings, I don't even want to see the weather report on a screen smaller than a credit card. Such devices are, IMO, useful only to those who absolutely must have the latest whatever it is. I don't know, maybe there's a bit of keeping up with the joneses.

Yea, even those $100 portable DVD players with a 7" screen are too small unless they're sitting on your tray top on an airplane.

Even though I'm a huge Apple/iPod person I am totally with you guys on that. My eyes are not great, and I can't imagine how people can stand to see something that small, that long. It's one thing if it's a clip or music video, but I could not watch a three hour movie that way!

My (now old school, I guess) iBook makes a great portable player. It saved me from going berzerk my last flight... nothing like being a slight female stuck in the middle seat between two uncomfortably large gentlemen and kids kicking your seat behind you. :rolleyes: