$1000 doesn't sound that bad for TWO N900's. I had to pay 570€ in Finland which is $800+, for just one.

Do you necessarily have to buy two N900's? Can't you just buy something cheaper for your wife and an N900 for yourself? The N900 isn't really a mainstream phone even though the OS is fantastic - the full keyboard is for pro users and geeks. Unless, of course, you weren't planning to buy your wife an N900 in the first place, it's hard to tell because of the way you put it.