Technology geek checking in here.

The FreeBSD Project

You can spend a lot less than 300 bucks on a used laptop if you're not into running windows. I recently picked up a Thinkpad T61P on E-Bay for less than 75 bucks because I'll be loosing my corporate laptop pretty soon. Spent another 30 on a new battery.

But if you're not into running alternative operating systems, Microsoft isn't the big bad evil corporation they once were. Since Ballmer vacated the CEO spot they've made vast strides on cleaning up their business practices and being more open and compatible with the rest of the world. Even if they do still insist on spying on their users.