Nick / Doc

I wont be using it for anything else except processing and editing my photos (that is once I start taking half decent pics!), and the mandatory surfing on th net, reviewing ebay for cheap lenses and I dont
think that I will be editing videos until I have kids and thats a few years off yet and no doubt by then the laptop or desktop that I buy shortly will be well and truely out dated. I also have no intention
whatsoever of playing games on it - I have an xbox 360 for that (which I have turned on once in the past 12 months)

I am really only a 'newby' to photography and computers and by that I mean the following;

I have never previously had a dlsr before nor have I edited a single photo nor have I ever used a single photoshop program!

As for the computer side of things, I know the basics, I understand all the terms and know the difference between speeds, memory, hard drives etc etc but that's about it. To give you a good analogy,
I love cars, I know where the steering wheel is, I know how to drive a manual, where the oil and petrol goes but ask me how it all works and I really have no idea. I put the key in the ignition and that's it.

Same with my laptop / desktop purchase - I just want to turn the computer on and know that it's going to do what I want it to do!!!!!!

I wouldnt feel confident in building my own system - but if I know exactly what to put in it, I am sure that I could go about facilitating it.

Doc - I have heard good things about the Dell, but as you say, I have also heard that if you have your laptop in the lounge room you would swear that a volcano just erupted in there if you leave it on
too long because thats how much heat it generates.

A mate of mine just purchased the 15' mac book pro with the better screen - however, he doesnt edit photos on it.

I was really only considering the 27' imac as it doesn't take up much space (no tower) and I have only ever heard good things about them. Thus the reason for this post, to try and work out the best
laptop and desktop which would suit my needs. If I could get a good laptop that will do just as good a job as a large desktop then I think I would lean towards that - purely for the portability attribute
but as I mentioned earlier - it doesnt really worry me as although laptops are great, I cant see myself editing photos whilst travelling overseas etc.