please don't use 98se.

i agree with not using XP, but i recommend win2000. otherwise, use LINUX.

as for a laptop, i have a DELL Inspiron 8100, which is a pIII 1.13Ghz with 512MB ram. it is a ver nice laptop, i am a power user so i need all that processing power!

a very good laptop will run you a few grand however. so it all depends on what you want to spend. but no laptop compares to the performance of a desktop, which are much cheaper and perform much better.

it's all on your taste i guess.

good luck!