I'll surely look into the book.

Looks like I can install XP via Parallels AND Bootcamp - in other words, I have two installations of XP and hence three distinct partitions - Mac, XP+Parallels, XP+Bootcamp. I can have Parallels running (in parallel) with Mac OS X so that I have access to both Windows and Mac files while logging into XP using Bootcamp results in Mac & Parallels files being unavailable (I refer to files on the respective partitions).

With Vista on the horizon, I'd like to be prepared to "upgrade" - do I need a Macbook Pro to unlock ALL of Vista's Aero interface or will the Macbook suffice?

If I buy a 100GB HDD, can I partition it as 80 + 10 (Parallels) + 10 (Bootcamp) and U/G Bootcamp to Vista and leave Parallels running XP? I'll be sure to buy 2 GB RAM from Newegg or another retailer.

Also, do I technically need two licenses to load XP twice (Bootcamp & Parallels)? Same with software loaded onto these installations?