I do not run any brewing software. Over the years I generally calculate the recipe by hand and figure out the hop utilization using the Recipator, but eventually that resource will probably be gone.
I may try to access the hard drive data, I believe my wife bought a device which would allow me to do so.
In looking online I am actually leaning toward a laptop. Asus has one available on Amazon for $370. I do believe I want a decent HD and a DVD/disc slot. Right now I am thinking the top of my budget is $400 to keep costs low.
FWIW - I found the receipt for my first desktop - $2,200, my second was $800. It's amazing how costs have dropped. Of course TV was inexpensive at one time and now our bill is higher than ever.