Well the little plastic tubes are falling off as well so that's the problem.

First I'm in Britain so I would prefer to go with someone who sells in the UK.

Secondly I'm looking at alternatives to Windows in the future, but I want to retain Windows in dual boot as a safety net not to mention for various pieces of software I already use. That includes all the audio games I already have that aren't available on Mac amongst other things. I want to be able to try out another operating system, no small issue for a screen reader user since I also have to learn the new screen reader at the same time, without completely cutting myself off from everything I know already. The general idea is to make an easier transition, and provide a fall back just in case I don't get on entirely with Mac OS.

The number of new posters in here is a little worrying. Hope that people aren't signing up just to post in this topic. My interest in a mac is purely utilitarian.

That said I've ended up getting a macbook pro already for one reason or another, and I absolutely love the touchpad with voice over. I'm having trouble with it not reading IM client chat windows automatically though.

speaking from a purely vi perspective I'd be a little hesitant about switching to a mack only because of the new O S environment, different programs/screenreader,, etc. but that's only becuase I've been using windows since I knew how to use computers wich ai think has been about 08 or so years. but there are people who swear by mac so that's just me. about the keyboard I had a sony that did one better, the entire keyboard stopped working completely and after I shelled out 300 to get it fixed, no easy task in itself, two days later ti went out again with a brand new one. so I junked it and got my hp. hope your mac works out for you, never duel booted anything before, wonder if it's possible to install mac os on anything other than a mac based pc? if so I may try it, assuming i can get my hands on a copy legally.
thanks