Well, it’s a real boon to have a new, fast machine. But it’s also hugely distracting, because I have an irresistible urge to re-nest on the machine and spend two or three days immediately fixing my home work area, schlepping files around, and so forth.

Because I’ll be migrating from the first machine I used as a primary Mac OS X machine, it’s not going to be a simple matter of plunking my home directory and root library over onto the new machine – I fought tooth and nail against the Apple-assumed organization scheme when I came over and as a result I have crap scattered across about ten volumes.

Those volumes also represent a wide range of additional drives, both internally and externally connected to the old machine, and of course I cannot pop my internal 250gb drive into the laptop.

I kinda doubt I’ll have a budget for more goodies anytime soon, but here are some I’ll bookmark.

Villagetronic PCI video card – I have two desktop monitors I’d like to continue using. By default the Powerbook only supports one external monitor. This is a moderately unlikely purchase.

Some kind of stand for desktop use, like this, this, or this. Inexpensive, non-computer-market alternatives will be explored, as well. I’m currently using a plastic copy-holder. Unfortunately, the Powerbook’s hinges prevent opening the screen beyond about 75 degrees, and the slant of the copyholder means that the screen tilts in at about 15 degrees.

A sleeve for finish protection. I love these Acme designs, but instead of the zip closure and handles, I want a simple flap. Closure is only moderately important, so velcro or even ties would be ideal. I thought I remembered seeing very simple sleeves made of wetsuit neoprene with no detailing, but it looks as though the market has moved on.

A bit more Googling brought me to a Tom Binh product, the Mitre. Binh is locally based and even has a retail store in town, so this is promising. More closely reflecting my initial vizualization is this Tucano sleeve.

But Binh’s social factors are predominating, I have to say.