I started out low-poly (game mods and a crappy machine) and then moved up to high-poly (trueSpace, Poser, and a less crappy machine). This learning experience has affected the way I model. I usually begin a project by roughing out a low-poly version of whatever I'm working on, then add details to the mesh as necessary. Travis makes a good point about the progression of technology. My current rig is 30 times more powerful than the one I started with a few years ago. The entire 3D software industry is moving to take advantage of this silicon muscle, from game development to high-end rendering packages. Low-poly won't remain low much longer. Just look at projects in the works at id Software (Doom 3) and Epic Games (Unreal 2) for examples. The level of geometric detail in these real-time 3D engines is approaching that of Poser 4.