@eshotwell: It seems to be much better with auto-completion and correction than the built-in keyboard. The built-in keyboard was constantly trying to change words I didn't want changed. I found the different skins better at finding a layout that's better suited to my typing. You can also customize things like long key…

It makes me sick to hear people paying out the butt for brake service. It's so easy and so cheap to do yourself. I've never paid anyone to do brakes, oil changes, or basic tuneups. Basically the only thing I've ever paid for are muffler and catalytic converter changes. I know neither is hard but I don't have the space…

I'd really like to see Swype or BlindType pretty soon. I'm using Smart Keyboard Pro and it's pretty darn good so far.

@jayarmstrong: Wow, everyone seems to be on top of this more than I am. Well, I've already started using Google Sync, so we'll see how that goes. I'll see what they have to offer in a few months.

XMarks used to be a part of this for me... So long XMarks.. you will be missed!

@imajoebob: Show me some benchmarks of that and perhaps I'll believe it.

@Se7en_speed: You read my mind.

@imajoebob: I think what you mean is that you spec'd a computer with hardware adequate for software you want to use. Saying "spec out a system based on software " sounds like you're going to compare system A with system B just because they both come with Microsoft Office.

@Brandt: Most definitely. Again, depending on the model, you can find a replacement on eBay pretty cheap. I imagine both probably work fine just look hideous. I think black plastics tend to show this more.

@Brandt: Shiny mark is usually the plastic texture worn off. I think what happens is the satin like finish of keyboard keys eventually gets smoothed out from typing and normal use. When that happens, I normally get Dell to replace my keyboard under CompleteCare warranty. You can't tell them it's normal wear, but you…

@Revolutions: I think anti-virus programs are the real virus. I've never run any such program. I'm a strong believer that 99% of the time, the user clicked something they shouldn't have.

@Revolutions: Some good points there...

@Sean Duffy: I tried. They would sometimes do partial credits or something if I kept at it, but it was never worth the trouble since Verizon customer service was always flaky. Sometimes it was excellent, sometimes it sucked. They also charged my credit card for two months after we cancelled our last account. Funny…

I'm just waiting for Guild Wars 2 to release... if ever.

One of the major reasons I switched to Sprint was because Verizon was constantly nickel and diming me. Every monthly statement had a different amount that varied between $80 - $125 for a single cell phone plan for 450 minutes, text, and data. The variations in the cost were simply different taxes and fees... NOT…

@imajoebob: Why would you spec a system based on software?

Some of these aren't necessarily warranty voiding, they just make your product unsupported. For many of these, you can revert back to original condition and still claim your warranty. That said, there is always the possibility that you could void or brick your warranty if your screw the device up in the process.

If 3D is here to stay, I might consider a pair of prescription 3D glasses. When I saw Avatar in IMAX 3D, they had the really nice wrap around 3D glasses. Every time I've been back since then, they have the cheap stick plastic ones.

@roninmodern: Yeah, many of you despise DELL, but I've always recommended and used their laptops... mostly because they offer an accidental coverage warranty. It pays for itself easy. I just hop on DELL's chat and tell them I need keyboards, LCDs, body parts, etc, even if they are just a bit worn from use, and have…

Posts like these make me optimistic that people will see the Apple-tax / premium charges associated with buying Apple computers vs. the competition. A lot of people don't realize that the hardware is nothing special, and that OS X is just software.