Hi SpywareDr, Train, jmtjet & Doc,

Yes, I have been mulling dual boot vs VM and I will go with your advice. Or maybe a mixture. Dual boot for when I am doing my video work and try VM, for convenience sake, for low powered Windows applications that I can not find Linux alternatives for (should not be many now).

A dedicated rig is not an alternative at this time due to space, money and household bliss (you need how many PC's!!).

The GeForce GTX 280 graphics card look sweet. However, at ~$900 a bit too pricy for me as I am not doing gaming. I have decided on the Palit 9600 GSO Sonic 768MB @ $185 (as well as the best recomended by Doc). Unless anyone has a good argument why I need something more powerful (below $450 please).

Ubuntu, and its many variants (i.e., Kubuntu), have certainly come a long way and we are certainly that much closer to completly replacing Windows. If I could just get a video editing and DVD burning package as good (easy to use, feature rich and reliable) as Pinnacle Studio I would be there now.

If I had the time and money I would also be building a HTPC using Ubuntu and MythTV. However, this would need a separate box until it was up, running and stable as having the HTPC down for more than a reboot is a cataclismic event resulting in my hide being nailed to a barn door. However, I do not have the time and money to invest in this at this time.

Anyway, I am sourcing suppliers and getting quotes for the hardware. So I should start building in the next few weeks. I will keep you posted.

Regards,

Glyn