Thanks for all your input folks, but alas I have another dilemma which is that I cannot buy online. I am pretty much stuck with retail right now, but have an immediate need for a laptop. I did find what could be a sweet deal at a local CompUSA for a Compaq Presario r4025us laptop. It has 2.0ghz processor, 1gb ram, 80gb hd, 15.4" screen and an ATI Radeon Express 200M vid card with 128mb installed ram. This may be the one to get...as long as they still have it in stock by this weekend. lol Jim