I need help! (life)

In the past 24 hours, in what I like to think is an uncharacheristic manner, I have become consumed by the prospect of purchase. I have made mental lists. I have discussed. And, I have weighed my options. I want to buy a computer and an iPod. Wait. That does not fully capture the situation I am in at this moment. I want to convert my world to Mac. A year ago, this was not the kind of person who could fully comprehend the power of that statement. Even now, I know only some of the goodness the world of Mac holds. But, I think it could be true love.

I want everything on the screen of my computer to bounce when you scroll. I want to use GarageBand to revolutionize my approach to early literacy instruction. I want to iLife my life. I want everything to sync. [And, I really want to be able to do work at work, college and home...hence the laptop.]

I am now in the situation of fully committing myself to a series of new iThings. But, I feel like I need to do some research that goes beyond my current level infatuation. Should I let this generation of Intel-insides get out of the way before I put money on the line? Should I buy an iBook first so my iPod doesn't think I am a music pirate, stealing music off of multiple computers? Should I get a whole lot of memory or just the normal package? What do I really need to do with the computer? And, am I really the kind of person who should have a laptop? I'm too absentminded to be considered gentle and I throw things without knowing it sometimes. Is the iBook's space-age construction a match for me?

I'm in desperate need of techy insight (but, please, only of the Mac variety).