what should I do?

Ok, here is my boggle. We are getting a decent return back from taxes this year (finally got to itemize).
We agreed to buy new furniture and other crap, and I get about a grand for computer stuff. So, what do I do?
Do I spend it all on upgrades for my desktop to bring it up from a slow piece of crap (my best system is only 300mhz) right now. Or do I get a midgrade laptop with a DVD? I travel some with work (I get underway on Aegis DDG's that are being built to do combat systems work) and a laptop would be very cool, but so would having a screeming system for once. What do you guys think? ???

[cloverm]

The biggest problem with laptops is that they get outdated very very fast. Other than adding some memory or maybe replacing the hard drive with a bigger one you can't do any upgrades to them.

With a desktop there are always a lot of upgrade options, and you can do one component at a time.

However, when you travel and need a laptop, you need a laptop.

[Feztaa]

(my best system is only 300mhz)

What do you mean only 300 MHz? Is there something wrong with that?

You should take that grand and give it to the needy..... by the needy I of course mean me !

Seriously guys, I need some direction. I cant decide! :'(

[YaRness]

athlon xp 1800: 130$
decent mobo: 120$
decent case: 50$
256 megs of pc2100 DDR ram (which has skyrocketed in price since i bought mine in october ): 70 bucks

and then if you need it:

20 gig 7200 quiet maxtor drive: 70 bucks
cd burner: 50-125 bucks
dvdrom: 70 bucks?
19 inch flat crt monitor: 260-300
etc. etc.

pricewatch.com pricegrabber.com resellerratings.com

(btw the above, even including a 100 margine for shipping, comes to under a grand )

[TeRG]

athlon xp 1800: 130$
decent mobo: 120$
decent case: 50$
256 megs of pc2100 DDR ram (which has skyrocketed in price since i bought mine in october ): 70 bucks

and then if you need it:

20 gig 7200 quiet maxtor drive: 70 bucks
cd burner: 50-125 bucks
dvdrom: 70 bucks?
19 inch flat crt monitor: 260-300
etc. etc.

pricewatch.com pricegrabber.com resellerratings.com

(btw the above, even including a 100 margine for shipping, comes to under a grand )

a good running system: priceless

Whats a good recommendation for a video/agp card?

Radeon 7500 or 8500 - only the 8500 doesn't have 3d support in X yet. Good performers, good image quality and nice price tag

Whatever you do, please don't buy an nVidia card !

[YaRness]

does nvidia suck in linux or something?

my geforce3 ti 200 bloody rules, but i only use it to any extent in winderz.