[hashbrown7]

This is a very sound advice, probably the best in terms of where to spend your money. Don't get a cheap laptop, lousy pen or bad-looking notebook. If you follow this rule, you will be always using the best tools.

Good article, but the best tools to get started are the tools that you have at hand regardless of cost.

[RBerenguel]

You are completely right. There are a lot of times when the best tools are the tools you have at hand. But at some point (when technique has surpassed the tools), you have to get the best, or at least the best for the moment and for your level.

I enjoy a lot taking pictures, and loved my Canon Ixus 30 (small point and click), but I wanted a little more control. Buying a full blown reflex camera was out of option, I wanted something small. And I bought a Canon Powershot S90, which was the best tool after I wanted to do more things than my old camera (which I still own and carry around for quick pictures around the city) could not do.

[mashmac2]

Seconded. Chase Jarvis (professional photographer) says much the same, and it's made me carry my camera around all the time. He even made a site for it- http://thebestcamera.com/