I finally gave in -- bought a refurbed 15.4" MBP C2D, 2.33Ghz, 256MB video, etc. for $2,000. Only regret was not being able to configure the machine with a 160GB HD, so I'll have to make do with the stock 120GB drive. But considering that I was close to buying a new MBP, I saved about $500 when this C2D popped up on Apple's site. This will be my first Mac after many years of PC ownership.
best...aa.