[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"I'm thinking MacBook Pro 17"

A stunningly good machine. Not the most portable, but powerful and with the best display and the best battery life in the industry. If you can accept its width and weight, you won't regret owning that beautiful machine.

One word of advice, regardless of what machine (and OS, for that matter) you consider: max out the RAM. Usually it's cheaper to add the RAM yourself from a third-party source, but not always. In salivating over a new MacBook Pro recently, I found Apple's RAM prices were actually better than third-party. But that can change on any given day, given the dynamics of the RAM market.

[altair]

One word of advice, regardless of what machine (and OS, for that matter) you consider: max out the RAM.

That sounds like a pretty good idea. RAM is cheap now.

[RegulatorCountry]

I’m pretty much a PhotoShop power user, and do some large, photo-intensive color catalogs, so the RAM has been maxxed out always. But, I’m lazy about shopping around for such things, so I’ve always bought it installed if possible. Good to know that it’s actually cheaper my way now, lol.

Major portability is not what I’m looking for, just the ability to work from a recliner in front of the tv, lying in bed, whatever feels most comfortable, rather than being anchored to a desk. It rarely leaves the house, unless I’m travelling.

The PowerBook I have is something of a brick from a weight standpoint, so I doubt I’d even notice, with the exception of the larger form factor.