Anna-  I started to post to you yesterday and ended up getting side tracked.  You asked about the tablet pc,  there was a very good post from Missy Caulk on Active Rain,  on the Michigan Realtors group.  Her post was titled 'My Favorite Technology and Time Saving Tools' she goes into great detail about the motion computer.  I thought that might help to make a decision for you.  It was very informative post,  lots of great comments.  

To get back to your questions,  I'm running on borrowed time on my laptop and will be looking into the motion computer myself.  I have a dinosaur desktop that has definitely seen better days.  Definitely need to do some updating,  but am holding out as long as possible.  

I keep them until they die. I'll nurse them along for awhile but at some point it becomes time to put them down and move on.

My laptop is also on it's last legs I fear...

Just like my cars, I run them into the ground.  My laptop gets a lot of use and not just from me.  My two kids do homework, myspace, facebook, IM, games, etc.  I always buy the longest warranty they offer and I use them!  I've had screens replaced, keyboards, etc.

I make sure I back-up all my data on disc.  I also upload all my photos to Yahoo, as well as on disc.  I also save all my bookmarks on Yahoo, so I don't lose them. Then I do a destructive recovery which returns the laptop to its factory settings.  It does require some time to reload all my programs but "Baby" seems to like the facelift and she runs like a dream.  Mine's a run-of-the mill HP from Staples, by the way.

My hardware. Tough question. I typically defer to my husbands estimation of what needs tossed and what is still tolerable. We replaced 2 computers recently. Between our businesses and home we have 7 computers. I have a new one in his office with Vista, I hate. I had to figure out why it won't run our accounting software, Peachtree.

I have fought our internet connection, phones and everything lately, I think it is my negative liver and onions attitude that is causing all this hassle. He tells me all the time I fight with machines. ARG. I am ready to throw my computer at my office through a window, I would have done so already but people talk here. lol

I love your picture in Paris, but can't believe we didn't get to go with you.

My laptops would last a lot longer if it wasn't for some of the heated debates here on P2. My number six key is missing and I really do blame one person. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE! - rofl

Todd

1. my first computer I got around 1998 ... I left it to my mom back in Czech Republic when I moved. She finally got rid of it just a few months ago. She got herself a new laptop.

2. my second computer was a "heavy duty" refurbished Toshiba laptop (very durable plastic I must say). We still have it ... I'd say more or less out of sentiment. I bought it in 2000 already as an outdated model (was about $800 while new laptops were selling at 3 or 4 times as much)

3. In 2001 I got a refurbished Compaq desktop that worked great except I would have to reformat it completely (including erasing the hard drive) every couple of months (had some bug in it). It still works fine ... I put it in our office when I opened it up last year.

4. In 2005 I got a new (FINALLY NEW!) Gateway laptop that has been working great except for a few issues that were covered under warranty. This one will be a keeper until it really has to go!

5. In 2006 I got a new eMachine desktop. Not a computer of choice for many, but offered a great value versus price and works wonderful! It's in my home office. Gives me no reason to want a new one.

... so much for my computers. Then there's my husbands:

6. his old laptop that he god in 2002. Still works but has a bunch of surface cracks due to heavy shaking in my husbands truck. He's used it mainly for internet access and GPS. It's now retired on a shelf. Has a bunch of internal problems that would be too costly to fix.

7. new laptop ... one of the first this year with Vista. It's a Gateway just like mine except smaller. Our only regret is not getting it a few days sooner with old Windows XP. Vista is still a big problem with many applications and some of the hardware we have.

8. he also got a new desktop. My husbands big hobby is photography and he wanted and needed something that would handle all the software he has and needed a larger monitor for that as well. I believe it's an Acer that we got him.

now, let's see ... and then there is one more:

9. my stepsons HP ... about 3 years old desktop ... he really really really wants a new one ... as I'm sure would be the case with any teenager ...

... as you can see, we jut keep on adding more ... but hardly ever get rid of anything. And don't get me even started on PRINTERS!