computer geeks, step inside please...

[Blane]

Ok, so my fucking piece of shit TOshiba laptop has broken one too many component now and I need to do something. THe burner is busted, it won't work with the external USB burner I bought (that works fine), and now the screen won't stay upright.

I'm thinking of forking out some coin for 2 things:

- A decent desktop (good size HD, good processor, nice monitor, etc.)

and

- A very portable and long-lasting (battery-wise) laptop for my travel and work issues. Light and small (can have a 12" screen for all I care).

I've started to do a bit of shopping around, but there's so much friggin' selection that I don't know where to go first. Any suggestions? Any ideas of minimum processor types or whatnot that I should go for?

Anything I should avoid at all costs? I looked up MDG computers and they're the first to make my blacklist.

Thanks for any help!