Building your own computer can seem like a daunting task, but it’s well worth it to understand not only how it works, but to be able to repair it and not be ripped off by going to the Geek Squad or any other computer repair brand place that’s not a mom and pop shop. Plus you can have a computer that lasts years and years with today’s motherboards. Lots of colleges here in Canada offer night classes on how to build a computer, the hands-on education is really awesome in eliminating any technology fear you may have. I’m sure there are similar courses in the States. Plus, once you’re done, you can help repair other people’s computers too, and share in the computery love :)
Sadly laptops aren’t really equal to desktops in that one can’t build a laptop from the base up easily… but if you’re at home a lot anyway, combine a solid desktop with a netbook and you have a killer combo! Even throw a little file server onto the desktop so you can save and access your home files through the netbook’s wifi… oh yes.