General advice on laptops needed.

And a question about Windows XP vs. W2K

[HughMungus]

OK, so I want to go from a desktop to a laptop. I've bought or built 5 or 6 computers but never bought a laptop. What are some general caveats about laptops? I don't travel so weight isn't a great concern but I do have big hands so keyboard size might be (and trackball vs. trackpad vs. external mouse and keyboard connectors might be as well as docking ports, etc.). I will probably be converting my network to wifi, also.

Also, what are good/bad laptop brands?

Regarding XP vs. W2K. I'm a late adopter and I'm really happy with W2K. Why would I want to go up to XP? Advantages/disadvantages?

Thanks for any info or suggestions.

[bulldog]

Here is a post that might have some helpful info for you:
[webmasterworld.com...]

[Macro]

Hugh, if you don't travel why a laptop over a desktop? If it's size then you can get mac style desktops integrated into the screen and they'll give you a full size keyboard/mouse.

Do bear in mind that despite laptops having come very far they are still way behind desktops on technical issues (like hard disk speeds), price, and ability to upgrade.

[tolachi]

Macro is right. Unless you need to be able to pack that guy up and go, stick with the desktop. There are all kinds of ways that they are better. Monitor hight and keyboard height not tied together (my neck hurts) and general performance are the biggest reason's why I wish I didn't have a laptop.

[HughMungus]

Thanks for the advice. I decided that since was my first laptop and since what I really need it for is just some data entry and other basic stuff, I cheaped out and got a used one on ebay. I'll keep the desktops (3 of them) for now, also.