Err.. since when do you have to be a developer to be interested in the n900? I'm not a developer by any means and I would describe myself similar to you. An advanced end-user who believes very much in open source/standards. And I still prefer Maemo to the other operating systems (though I do believe Android will win in the long run simply for being on the most devices). But that's because OS wise, Maemo just fits me better than Android for now. Though I believe in getting the hardware and OS best for getting the job done per that user (yes.. even the iPhone). In your case Jaybomb999, you also have to consider the network. In that case, Droid (or Sholes I wanna call it since that's what I've been tracking it as) may be the better choice for you. I know I wouldn't be getting the n900 if TMobile didn't have service in the areas I frequent. I just luck out because TMobile focuses alot of their 3G buildup on the East Coast.

I do wonder how being on a platform with multiple hardware will help/hurt it though. Applications developed for Android (and similarly Windows Mobile) are not usually developed for one device in mind. So it could just be some people develop apps for the lowest denominator, thus that hardware may never get used. On the other hand some people will develop alls just for that select few phones.

I also think Android is heavier on the battery life (at least that's what my friend with a G1 tells me) so depending on how optimized Motorola tinkered with the OS, it could just be that it may have a bigger battery but less battery life overall (before user customizations step in).

Guess we'll all see when all these devices are out eh?