Mary2e : It depends.

If your intent is simply replace your desktop with a laptop, then you've gotten quite a few inputs earlier in this thread.

If your intent is now to be more mobile in your computing, the laptop is only one element to be considered if you're now going to lift and shift to Hawaii. The fewer and lighter items are, the easier it will be to bring things with you as you travel - this includes a possible mobile printer/scanner, separate keyboard, etc.

Having a laptop that has a compatible docking station will assist in being able to plug the laptop back into the station and having your future monitor/keyboard/mouse/desktop scanner/etc. easily operational without having to re-hook up everything every time.

Also to note that, while smaller notebooks and netbooks are available, you'll also find that their keyboards are a bit smaller and many keys are overloaded by having a single key serve as many possible depending on ctrl / alt / fn press combination sequences which can be a pain. Larger heavier notebooks with fullsize keyboards are easier to transition too but also are larger and heavier and generally come with a larger heavier power transformer/charger block. And even more crap to carry.

I'd recommend going down to an electronics-type store or even Costco and putting hands on keyboards, looking and and touching those touchscreens and hefting the laptops to get a feel for what you think you'll prefer. Ask to see the cables and connectors to get an idea of what it will take to haul all of those items with you in order to use the device.

No one laptop will likely meet all of your needs. But some come close.

David