So after much kvetching, I decided that, rather than getting a Macbook Pro, I would get a Mac Pro, the uber desktop computer from Apple.  The truth is I don't use laptops that often.  They are nice to have and eventually I'll get one, but the reality is that my old desktop was starting to show it's age.  It's still a decent machine but with the hard drive failure, I realized I was going to want a new desktop very soon.

Now, getting this computer was a bit more of a challenge than it should have been.  Follow me through the cut for why you don't buy open box merchandise.