New Computer

So, this is what I'm looking at replacing my computer with:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=bdl10003904&catid=24014&logon=&langid=EN

Now, my desktop is largely used as a media centre, desktop publishing, and internet/games console. I'm leaning towards something that can handle the specs for the upcoming Star Wars: The Old Republic game. I also want something I can link through my router and X-box to my television in the living room.

Because, yes, I need my pornography available on a 29" screen.

For the computery types on my list, is this a good system to be looking at, is it over/underkill for what I need, and what are the pros and cons that you see with this?

Living La Vida MMORPG

Like most thirtish gamers who grew up in the crucible of Star Wars, virtually any property of the franchise gets at least a passing interest by default to see if it lives up to the memories of our youthful excitement. X-Wing did so, fulfilling the dream of blasting TIE fighters from the sky, while making it very clear why attacking a Star Destroyer in an A-Wing was a 'Bad Idea'. However, most other properties ranged from mildly interesting to sheer awfulness.

Then came along the boys who had essentially relaunched D&D effectively as a computer RPG with Baldur's Gate. Bioware, plunky Canadians from the bowels of Reform country, actually took the story element seriously, and generally wrote adult adventures that had elements of humour, drama, even romance that wasn't presented in a snickering adolescent way. Then they got the license for a Star Wars property, and went into the history of the universe to come up with Knights of the Old Republic. KOTOR was a huge hit, mostly because it got two things exactly right; Star Wars is a cinematic space opera, so you have to operate in that kind of scale. The hero cannot be the blankest, least interesting member of the party for plucky allies to play off of.

Bioware has returned with The Old Republic, a further exploration into the Jedi/Sith war, presented as a MMORPG that promises an emphasis on story as opposed to acquistion. The graphics look amazing, and the initial materials make it look like it holds the same atmosphere that KOTOR had. Now, I had taken a very long look at Star Wars Galaxies before finally deciding that it wouldn't be a good idea to join one of these things yet. However, I find myself strongly considering buying TOR and diving in.

So, since I know I have plenty of MMORPG players of different formats on here, talk to me about the pros and cons of joining one. What are some of the things to look for between a game that's going to provide quality and long term enjoyment, and not fold or just get left to die six months later? What kind of structures are there to make it enjoyable? What should I be looking for as potential negatives? What else do I need to get a full experience?