I think the word "Newbie" is universal and self-explanatory; so, I'm not sure if "newbies" know what "pre-purchase/pre-device" means.

Also, I think having a newbie catch-all forum is okay. Again, I see it like baby in their crib --- where they do everything: eat, sleep, play, go potty (in diapers), etc. The crib is the catch-all for a human being, but as we grow into adults, we go into the kitchen for food, bathroom for potty, office for work, etc. Same thing for the "newbie" forum; do it all there for starters and then grow into using other specific forum sections.

To GeneralAntilles point, if the newbie forum is something that can't be agreed on, then we should look into a compromise. Maybe any newbie question need to include the tag "newbie". That way, the thread topic ends up in the right place, but users also see that it is newbie related.

BTW, OMG N8X0 IS BETTAH THAN TEH IPOD TOUCH!!!11!!one!!!