So the past two clients I\'ve been at, all the talk has been about creating an iPhone app, and I won\'t lie, I want to make one. Or at least learn how to make them.
I\'
I would recommend a laptop. It sounds like you're a contractor, so the ability to use the simulator in a demo on site may be useful to you.
In the Bay Area, it's useful to take to the frequent meetups and what not.
A low end macbook is about 999 right now.