Originally Posted by John_H
... Having the hardware separate from the software seems to me to really be the "future-proof" way to go.

Hmm, very interesting.

I came to the same conclusion regarding the PC's and laptops I bought over the years. Currently, I buy them completely software-less (except for the first O/S) with the highest power available. My current laptop celebrates it's 7th anniversay next month and still doesn't slow down (although I have a replacement waiting on the shelve, just in case). I think it is mainly because I keep my software seperated (and as bare as possible).

Now you say that the same might be true for A/V-equipment, which I wouldn't doubt a second when thinking about how much more that seems to be computerized these days. Although, future-"proof" is impossible IMHO, but more like 'next X-years proof'; where X is hopefully Roman wink