RAM going bad... it happened to my Dell laptop before. However I didn't have to put up with any tech support because Dell computers have self-diagnostic systems built into BIOS and I used the work computer (since I was at work when this happened) to look up the error code and I just pulled the faulty RAM card and it worked fine. RAM does go out if it gets too hot too often (and playing MAME on your laptop for 12 hours straight at work can do that), I'm sure any why-notebook would do the same.

This is why I like Dell computers so much. If you have access to a 2nd computer, you don't NEED their tech support.

EDIT: ANd in additions to ScottTaylor's comment, PCs get loaded up with more applications because there are far more applications to choose from, not to mention games (Gaming is the #1 reason I stick with PC)