Notebook computers

I'd recommend getting a Mac Powerbook that is top of the line (it should be tax deductibe too.) Get as much memory and hard drive space as possible. Pimp it out. Go ahead and spend a couple of grand on the notebook and load it up with:

Office (Word, PowerPoint, Entourage, Excel)
Accordance (the ultimate language, research software)
Logos Scholars edition
Endnote (this is documentation software that will save you hours at the end of every paper...literally saved me three hours of editting at the end of a paper.)

That right there will push your envelope to about $4000 but it's worth it. When I start back with my PhD work I will have all that stuff on my laptop. For pastoring the Logos system allows you to find and save thousands and thousands of illustrations and study notes. The Office suite lets you connect with your parishioners and handle all the church stuff from anywhere (home, office, Starbucks, etc.) The advanced presentation software will make your talks (sermons, teachings, etc.) more listener friendly and engaging. Just all around great stuff!

If you have to go PC (which is sad, I know but I have to use one every now and then) get a top of the line Dell with the full service plan and load it up with all the above software. That will help you out tremendously imho.

This is what I use and it helps with my ministry daily.

 

I like Toshiba. All the MS products. ESword is free.

 

Ditto to esword...
and the SID database, which is also free... found here.... www.jesusplusnothing.com
Thousands, (and I do mean thousands) of sermons and illustrations are available.)

 

www.pcworld.com/ic/laptops/# Things you should know, how to buy, reviews with ranked charts, etc.
If replacing a Desktop, you'll probably want most of the bells and whistles. Site should answer most of your questions

 

All the above sounds good (except for the Mac part ).

I'm more into desktops, but a good laptop can be indespensible. Especially when coupled with a projector... that's what we use with our FAITH classes.