Thanks for the input, I knew the list would be helpful and thoughtful.
So I am revising my chromebook desire since the coverage up there is pretty spotty to say the least.
I am thinking I'll get at least one desktop, and one laptop. but may get a second laptop or the cool looking zo-tac with xbmc.
Thanks der.hans and Joseph; Michael, Carl, Matt, Stephen et al. for the thoughtful answers.
I can put this one on the back burner now for a few months til something is up there to live in.