The failure of my trusty laptop (crashes Windows with AC power, fine on batteries for an hour) has me shopping. I hate to shop for computers even more than I hate shopping for cars; more flavors, brands, colors, options, and you're rarely sure of what's under the hood. At least now I have a few more buying criteria.

• Skype compatible processor. Right now that's an Intel Pentium D or a Centrino Duo. Pickings are lean and expensive, especially in retail. Dual core processors are still priced for early adopters and it will be 8-12 weeks before everyone has their midrange desktops and high end laptops in stores.
  
• Windows Vista ready. Easily expandible to 4G memory. Bays for a terabyte of storage or two. Hoping we won't need new keyboards.
  
• Video hardware. We are only scratching the surface of edge created video. Recording conversations. Recording mobile and handheld videos. Video mail. Vlogging and vlogcasting. Wizarded pre-production (Serious Magic). Intelligent post production (Muvee). If I'm going to capture and manipulate vid, I'll need higher resolution display adapters that work at high frame rates under stress. I'm also a multiscreen addict; at least a yard or meter of virtual desk space.
  
• Connectivity. WiFi 80211.next. 1G ethernet. Firewire. Bluetooth. Never enough USB 2.0 ports (Quick talley: bar code scanner, flatbed scanner, business card scanner, label printer, inkjet printer, Wacom tablet, wireless mouse, headphone, webcam, digital camera cable, speakerphone, mp3 player, dictation recorder, radio tuner, pda dock, audio mixer. 16 ports plus whatever I buy in the next 36-48 months.) Smartcard ports.
  
• Software. With a Vista upgrade in my future, just what's needed to run my old software.