Thanks again for some of the comments. I hope to take another good look tonight at my options and get something soon.
Lets face it, a computer is only as good as the software that runs on it, and Vista breaks too many things I want to use. Unfortunately, I know that MS is going to keep going in their direction, whether I like it or not. As for extra XP support from MS, I could really care less. This laptop will be used offline only, and service pack 2 has been very good (stable) for me. I want to extend that for another round until I decide what OS I want to use in the future. That is one of the reasons I'm considering a macbook, but it's not the sort of thing I can just jump into. The only reason the mac gets a look is because I can run it as a PC while dipping my toe in the other side.
Lets face it, a computer is only as good as the software that runs on it, and Vista breaks too many things I want to use. Unfortunately, I know that MS is going to keep going in their direction, whether I like it or not. As for extra XP support from MS, I could really care less. This laptop will be used offline only, and service pack 2 has been very good (stable) for me. I want to extend that for another round until I decide what OS I want to use in the future. That is one of the reasons I'm considering a macbook, but it's not the sort of thing I can just jump into. The only reason the mac gets a look is because I can run it as a PC while dipping my toe in the other side.