I've got Apple envy. Steve Jobs master plan has worked on me. I bought an iPod because I like it's design aesthetic. That got me to use iTunes which, in turn, got me to buy an Airport Express. These Apple purchases have caused me to make numerous trips to the local Apple store. I'm now on the cusp of being a convert. I really like Apple's design philosophy and the hardware prices are now close enough that it's not a big factor.

I have to maintain a Windows laptop for work but I'd like a very portable machine to play with. Say, you could spend in the $1000 ballpark. Would you go for a new iBook or a used PowerBook? Portability and battery life are the most important features for me. I think I'll be using for anything particularly processor intensive. I'd like the machine to be durable - I don't have much patience for products that I have to baby (the machine is here to serve me, not the other way around).

Suggestions?