O/S X!!!

Barring that, my eee 1005 does everything I expect a secondary computer to do, data entry, check email and transfer photos to a portable hard drive in the field.

I wish the netbook OEM version of Seven, whatever it's callled, would be available for purchase. I really don't need more than that and have no desire to play with kexts, et al, to make a hackintosh

Got 3.1 right away, but the 50 minute+ synch and backup, arghhhh. iPhone is stuck to my Mac backin up. Can't close iTunes 9 to finish installing it 'cause of the synch. I think I'm going to be a brave girl and leave the house without my iPhone.

Old dog needs new trix

A phone so nice, I'd like to own it twice!

The D40-D60/Rebel XS-T1 are rock bottom entry level, and I think if she's that enthusiastic about photography, she'll outgrow them too quickly. Think about either a D3000/5000, or a Rebel XSi (no video)/T1i (video) if you want to stay under $1000. Next, what do your good friends and close family have. If they're all Nikon people, then Nikon makes more sense, as you've got a base of people to borrow/try out gear from. Ditto if they're all Canon. Do any of them want to upgrade? Maybe they'd be willing to sell you their old gear to support their habits.

Re: movies, yeah, a camcorder will take better movies, but between a baby, a car seat, and a diaper bag, do you think you're always going to want to bring 2 cameras with you? Having an SLR that can take high quality videos is one less thing to pack and handle, esp. on those days when only one of you is with baby. If you go with video, the T1i wins over the D5000.

Re: 20/30/40/50D, or Nikon D200/300, those cameras are fuller featured, but have bigger bodies. If your wife is petite, she MAY find the size or weight a bit overwhelming. Try before you buy.

Re: cost, I get that you're not interested in spending $4000 on a pro level kit. Thankfully, with today's consumer cameras, you don't have to spend that much to get great photos. However, don't let $200 be the deal breaker. These are your precious baby pictures, and your wife's passionate hobby. Spread that cost over 4 years of ownership; if you can swing it, is her happiness worth an extra $50/year, $1/week? Get the one that give you both the best image quality (IMHO Canon) and the feature set she is most comfortable using. The happier she is using the camera, the more she'll use and enjoy it. If you go with Canon, the 18-55 IS kit lens plus the 55-250 IS is a nice beginner package. Get one of those $10 diffusers that sit in the hotshoe for the pop up flash (reduces harsh shadows) and a bag right away, and a decent tripod as soon as you can afford it. Don't buy anything else until what she has no longer does what she wants.

Mmmmmm, pretty silver match match mac

Mmmmmm, basic black!

I'm solid and stately and look good in black. This is the right drive for me.

Selling cars in the middle of congested, walkable downtowns well served by public transportation??? Mmmmm, location location location.

Mmmmm, I'd like to see that with RAW images.