Austin I don't know where you live but I am in Houston where there is constant discussion of a city wide wifi network. I also have a Sprint Wireless card for one of my two laptops and it runs me about $50 a month after taxes. Not sure if I am grandfathered in on a good rate or if that is what they currently run but they are not as expensive as some would have you believe.
The fact of the matter is that screen size and capability restrictions with laptops are a thing of the past... I am not sure who Dr. Pepper is and all but when you describe that you are looking for a machine to surf the net it becomes a no brainer to me.
I spend half of each day on the net and I probably spend 4 hours a week at local coffee shops on their free wifi. Depending on what your internet connection is going wireless is painless and very in expensive these days. For instance if you are paying more than $20 a month for your phone you can sign up with Vonage and get wireless for practically free thru a router deal with them AND save on your phone bill.
Being tethered to a wall is for graphic designers and programmers who need high powered machines. You said you want something you can chill on the net with.
To use Dr Peppers analogy it is like buying a huge truck because it has a huge bed and a powerful engine and then you never haul anything. Or for the same price you get a solid SUV or Sportscar which is fuel efficent and sleek and sexy and can be taken anywhere.
As far as not buying a custom machine.. from a family member maybe... IMO that is like buying the huge truck I mentioned earlier from a buddy who builds them on the side with "better" parts.
Good luck man, my email is
doc@ifellas.com should you have any questions.
You will regret a desktop man, believe me.
