Originally Posted by PrimoOptimoso

Thanks for the clarification. I was hoping to be able to go totally one-machine with the iPad as with the tabletPC, but I understand the limitations you've illustrated.

My girlfirend's desktop PC has iTunes on it, but I wouldn't want to intermingle all my stuff with hers in iTunes - is there any way to run a completely separated second instance of iTunes? Otherwise I'll have to do something else, like co-opt my old laptop in the basement running the arcade machine.

A simple answer then is create a new user on your girlfriends computer then your iTunes will be separate and will not affect her file system.

The iTunes installed will be available to you in your user area.

Well actually, I never thought of that! Each user has their own "My Music" folder so I guess that would work, but it still doesn't resolve the issue of only one person being able to use the computer at a time.

If you are just looking for something "bare bones" for keeping all of your stuff, you can get an eMachine from Wal-Mart for less than $300. Add a cheap monitor and you are still less than $400. Or you could go really cheap and get something off of Craig's List.

Really, 2 computers is the way to go! But OTOH, I am on my 3rd marriage, so maybe I should stick to computer advice and stay away from relationship advice!

Originally Posted by 1991-C4

Well actually, I never thought of that! Each user has their own "My Music" folder so I guess that would work, but it still doesn't resolve the issue of only one person being able to use the computer at a time.

If you are just looking for something "bare bones" for keeping all of your stuff, you can get an eMachine from Wal-Mart for less than $300. Add a cheap monitor and you are still less than $400. Or you could go really cheap and get something off of Craig's List.

Really, 2 computers is the way to go! But OTOH, I am on my 3rd marriage, so maybe I should stick to computer advice and stay away from relationship advice!

LOL - two computers; if only!

Right NOW the stable is at:
- Her desktop
- Her *old* desktop, currently just plain dormant with no peripherals
- My slate TabletPC (just bought to replace the convertible tablet for less money)
- My old laptop (basement, running arcade emulator)
- incoming iPad
- outgoing convertible TabletPC (just sold it for 2x what I bought the slate for, and I'm just now about to send it out)

Plus, up until about 2 weeks ago my GF had a company laptop on which she worked from home, but now she's changed jobs so that's finally gone - AND i'm trying to put together an HTPC for under the TV.

So I'm actually trying to pare down in a huge way. I can use one of the others for storage I'm sure, until I get the HTPC in here. I don't need to keep videos on the iPad - hell, I don't even need to keep music on it, really, since I keep that on my 5G Video iPod - I just was trying to actually get down to housing everything on the single most portable, minimalist thing possible. MAN that would be nice.