OT: opinions needed

I just had my performance appraisal at work and I got a whopping HUGE 4% increase!  WOOHOO!!!!!!  (I'm not being sarcastic!  I am GLAD and happy to have a job!!!!!!  AND  an employer that can still give an performance increase is AWESOME!!)

Anyways!  Since I am at the top of my salary scale, I get my increase as a "lump sum" for the year which means next week's paycheck will be a BIGGIE!  I've told DH that if I got a lump sum, I NEEDED a new computer and he agreed!  

NOW.............here's the question!!!!!!!!!

Do I get a laptop or a desktop?   What type/model should I get?

I'd really like a laptop so it can be more portable and the kids can still use this desktop that I have in the kitchen for homework and their stuff.  BUT, a desktop would be cheaper(maybe), I could use the same monitor that I currently have, and then, I don't know what I'd do with this one that I'm using now. (I don't have a spare monitor.)

So............what do you all think?   Laptop?  Desktop?  Anyone have any good or bad experiences they want to share about any type/model/customer service/etc....you can PM me if you don't want to post it on here!  I'm just looking for suggestions!

I'd appreciate some input!

Thanks all!!!!!!
Ruth

If you get a laptop, it is much more convenient and you can go anywhere with it.  If you go this route definately stay away from Acer.  They are junk.  I've had mine almost a year and have had to send it in for repairs 4 times.

I have two computers in my house a desktop that my oldest son uses and then a laptop that I take everywhere.  I'm lost without this machine!  lol  I had a refurbished Dell for a while until my youngest dumped water on it...lol  I bought a Compaq about 2 years ago and it is great.  I got it on sale at Best Buy for about $430.00.  I didn't need anything outrageously priced.  If you don't like Vista though you may want to wait a bit because Microsoft is releasing their new version of Windows soon.  Just something to keep in mind.  I would stick with brands like Dell, Toshiba, HP, or Compaq

well, I wish I could help you, I dont know much about mega murtsz, And boogie boose, but, I LOVE my laptop. you can bring it with you while you watch tv, or bedroom for quiet.  we have a desk top and laptop, both Dell. both no issues.  I think it would be great for the kids to have their own too, then they can leave you alone. haha... enjoy and congrats.

I vote for a Laptop.  Much more portable!!!

Thanks ladies!  I was leaning more towards a laptop, but this kinda sealed it for me.   I'm gonna check out Best Buy and BJ's today just to see what they have.  I'm thinking I might order it online from the Dell website, but it depends what kind of deals I can find in town.  I don't need anything super fancy, just something FASTER and more powerful than what I have now!  (This desktop is about 6 years old and has SOOO much stuff on it!! I figure that if I back up most of these files on my external hard drive and get rid of some stuff on here and then reformat the hard drive, it should be fast enough for the kiddos to use---without getting as frustrated as I do with it!!  haha)  

I can't wait until PAYDAY next week now!   AND..........I won't be working so, I'll have plenty of time to go find one!   NH..........here I come!  haha!

Thanks ladies!

Oh I just thought of something else to look for in the laptop....wifi capabilitiy!! I LOVE mine.

I love my laptop, my only recommendation would be to purchase a wireless keyboard and mouse.  It's much easier than trying to manuever around on the laptop mouse and the keyboard has a number pad (which I am used to).  You can just get a wireless or plug in mouse too though. I have both HP and Compaq and use a Dell at work.  I like them all very well.