>1) Get a real mouse. The new MS Optical mice (or is mouses correct here... ah, heck ... rodents) are wonderful

I concur. I will never get a ball mouse again.

>2) If you use the laptop for everyday development, get a real keyboard, preferably one that is ergonomic. Carpal Tunnel is not something to mess with.

I agree here too. I can get by with the laptop keyboard, but I love my Microsoft Natural keyboard.

>3) I'm running it on my Gateway laptop under Win2K Pro

How do you like the Gateway laptop? Any good and bad about it you care to share?