We bought our first and, to date, only computer on January 6, 1999.  It is a Dell Latitude Cpi300xt  (see Dell’s web site at www.dell.com).  It has a 300mhz Pentium II chip and a 6.4 gb hard drive.  

While it ain’t the smallest nor lightest laptop around, we made our purchase decision on the basis of its size, horsepower, durability (it has won PC Magazine’s torture test 5 years running, and our own application of the “best” principle (which is to say, always buy the best and you’ll never be disappointed).  This is not to suggest that we have the best machine available; rather, at the time, and given the information that was then available to us, this machine was, to us, the best (albeit not the lightest nor least expensive) choice.  

Frankly, we did not then (nor now) know enough about computers to meaningfully discern how much was “enough” computer and, for that reason we may have bought more computer than was necessary for our intended use.  But this brings to the fore our “insurance” principle: I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.  We no doubt erred, if at all, on the side of buying more computer than was necessary in large measure through the application of this principle.  We have not yet regretted our decision and, indeed, have been extremely pleased with the performance of this machine.  But we’ll let you know what happens when we get this baby out there going global.  

The other factor that weighed in our decision to go with the Latitude was Dell’s 3 year, international, on-site service plan.  As we understood the plan, Dell is prepared to stand behind this product wherever our travels may take us, shipping out replacement parts where appropriate (we hope never) and providing on-site assistance in many countries as necessary.  We hope never to have occasion to determine whether this plan was worth the additional money we paid for it (we believe it was an additional $189.00USD), but, for us, the peace of mind, whether real or imagined, is meaningful.

NOTE:  Yes, Dell did live up to this promise.  A computer technician came to our hotel in Bangkok, Thailand to fix our computer.  We were very impressed.