Yup, I bought a Brickwall surge protector 9 years ago, it was $200 but I feel that it saved me a couple of times already. It is certainly not cheap that people are looking for, but I am protecting over $5k worth of equipment, I think $200 (235 now it looks like) is a worthy investment.
Get the microconsole. I hooked it up to the same HDTV and compare the visual quality of the HTPC and the resolution is noticeably higher. Thru the MC, it looks like the 360/PS3 game. But it also demands higher bandwidth (and have slightly more graphical hiccups).
I have both nook classic and nook color. Get the eink Nook (touch) if you read mostly novels/text. Get Nook color if you want a tablet like experience, or read more PDFs. I find myself being able to read a lot faster on the nook classic than on nook color. Plus I can read longer without...
I am in the same boat, going to grad school this fall. However, my needs require a beefier CPU. I am waiting for Lenovo's X220t convertible. This will allow me to take notes in class with wacom, and enough power to run my programs. It is a bit out of your price range (starting $1200), but...
I bought the nook last week, and quickly became my #1 used gadget. I just love reading on this thing. Loaded up over 200 books and will take me some time to get through them all :D
Near mint condition, finished it after about 1 month of play. Everything is included (slip cover, extra costume DLC code/soundtrack is unused).
Heat is Lastblade.
$42 shipped within USA.