Yeah, thought about that as well...currently have 160GB (80*2 - one is external) and is regularly full of movies and home video. Am still thinking of going a little lower than 500GB, will still have the 80GB external.
As for shipping and handling...yeah, yuck. Have been thinking of trying to get a local chain shop to match whatever I find on Tigerdirect or ncix.
The only reason I think of getting some items before hand is that when I say $1000 for new comp my wife thinks....new leather couch! She just doesn't get why we don't pick up a bestbuy or futureshop $500 system already build. If I pick up a few components before hand then its easier to pitch a $500-600 build than a $1000-$1200.
Lol, other killer here is the tax. add 15% to the price. Essentially $1000 is my budget, tax and shipping i'll figure out. am counting on the local shop to price match tigerdirect or ncix.