Smart choice Dave, I've attempted to do the same but I always fall off the wagon :-) . Thank you!

Good question Chirone, I'm using 10.6.7 on a Quad-Core, 12 GB DDR3, GTX 285. I haven't tried Lion yet (although I am guilty of being very curious). The Windows system I'll be using is... Boot Camp of Vista 64bit. If I get a chance/time/money/leprechaun granting wishes/etc. I'd go with a Windows 7 64bit, good ATI or Nvidia card. Not that I'm saying one is better than the other, -maybe best for me to stay on target with the Modeling Challenge & my apologies for wandering from it <:-D <-- that's me wearing my dunce cap.

I sincerely appreciate commiserating with you on the spinning beach ball, Thank You! (so frustrating, hahahaha /insane laughter).