I was a paid user for Evernote from 2010 until last year, with thousands of notes. It was the center of my GTD system - until they lobotomized the app.

In the name of efficiency, they unified the code base across all platforms and took away some of the most useful features. I used to be able to create notes via Siri on my iPhone, which was incredibly useful while driving. Then they put a new interface in place and required you to pay for a higher tier to be able to rearrange it, and you couldn't skip it to get to the notes list. I hung on probably too long, but the downsides just really outweighed the good.

I moved my GTD system to a combination of Google tasks (using Full Screen for Google Tasks) and Google Docs/Drive and haven't looked back. It's not quite as easy as EN was in its prime, but far better than what EN became.

I want my negasphere!

You don't say whether or not you will be using hand or power tools; the amount and type of dust produced is vastly differently.

Hand tools produce larger chips and shavings, and not a lot of dust. I think keeping the computer off and covered with a plastic bag or cover would suffice.

Power tools produce much finer residue. In addition to the computer, you need to be concerned about your lungs! Some wood dust is highly allergenic and can cause respiratory problems - two of the most common that a homeowner would run into are cedar and pressure-treated wood. Always wear a dust mask and leave the windows open, with good fan to draw air through the shop, or buy a dust collector and air filter (and use them every time you turn on a power tool). Collect the dust at the source, and you don't have to worry as much about it at the computer - a plastic cover should work here as well.

-Phil