Brian is dead on... There are a ton of newer smaller desktop type computers that when something fails... getting replacement parts is easy. I have built a number of the mini ATX Form computers (about the size of a big book) that runs directly off of 12 volts and lots of memory, speed and hard drive space, DVD/CD recorder... Couple that with a good LCD monitor (projector?) and wireless keyboard/mouse and your styling! Laptops are great for portable operations but just how portable are you really? With CD/DVD burners so available it's easy to organize your files and move them on one disk. FYI on DVD's... They carry MUCH more data than CD's. One item is to have either a WiFi modem or long phone cord when docked so you can keep the computer current via a land and connected. All the best. John