Unfortunately our 5-year-old laptop died. I have around $1000 to spend on a new one. Any advice?
It only ever gets used for e-mail, web surfing, and word processing.
Staples warrantees their battery if you get an extended plan with them.

Spend $700. Get a Core 2 processor, 3gb ram, 200gb hard drive. Watch Best Buy, Staples, etc. It can be done, just watch.

I love my HP I bought a few months ago.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8770671&type=product&id=1203815682805 Something like this.

Go with HP or Dell or another quality brand.

I would recommend 3 gig of ram also as vista is a hog

I usually start my scans here:

http://www.salescircular.com/al/computer/laptpp.shtml

Tip: If you go with Dell Small Business Laptops, you can still get them XP configured.

Good/Reliable computers also.

2gb is enough for Vista. Many are offering 3, so I would try to get that included in the deal.

You need about 500mb of ram for video (integrated video)
About 1gb for the operating system


2gb leaves you 500mb left for programs.
3gb leaves you 1.5gb for programs.

D

Particular processor I want? T5550 or higher?

Any Intel Core 2 processor (not a Pentium Dual core). The "clock speed" won't make a big difference. Aka, you're probably not going to notice much difference between a 1.83ghz and 2.2ghz. So, don't concentrate on those numbers. It's the multi-threading and power conservation that make the Core 2 impressive.

Core 2 Duo with 4GB running XP on my new Dell . But I paid a little more than that for it. One tip if you do happen to go with Dell - on some of their systems, they rip you off with memory on initial purchase. I was able to buy additional RAM after the purchase (but still from Dell) for half what it would've cost to include at purchase time.

Best Buy has a 17" Toshiba on "clearance for $649 and a summer special 15" for $399. I'm not sure if this link will work correctly.

Best Buy Ad

That said I just bought a Dell Vostro 1700 on the 18th...the last day they offered Windows XP. It wasn't the absoulute cheapest deal, but w/ a nice case and minor upgrades I came in under your budget w/ taxes and free shipping. I'm a longtime dell purchaser. I had issues w/ a Compaq way back when and have stuck w/ Dell ever since. I've watched family struggle through other brands over the years as well, after ignoring my rec's to save $100. I know logically that Dell computers and every other brand's are changing all the time, but I'm still sticking with what has worked for me.

EDIT: btw w/ Dell I had to upgrade to the longer life battery (which is useless for my use) or face a shipping delay.

There is a Sony in athiker's ad for 599. I would take a VERY CLOSE LOOK at it!

I bought a Toshiba Model A205 laptop at about this time last year. I have not been altogether all that happy with it.

D-Rod your comments were excellent.
Went to FutureShaft today to look. Salesman says best deal for intel core 2 duo 3 Gb RAM dedicated video card is Hp Artists edition $899, down from $1059.
Any thoughts?

http://h20219.www2.hp.com/hho/cache/572541-0-0-225-121.html

This is the link.