Try Hp.com dv4000 series PC. you can customize your notebook to what you need for around 1000. And the notebook is light so when you drag it across campus you won't need a new back. Right now free shipping with HP. I worked for both HP and Dell and both companies have good stuff. Pretty much the same stuff inside all notebook. Truthfully it is all about the service warranty and how they service. unfortunatelly all services for home computers are out of india...that is they with microsoft and a lot corporate companies now. Make sure you have a subscription to an anti-virus somehow. Celeraon preocessor is good. Add the Intel Wireless Lan. i recommend the 12 cell battery, Lightscribe 8x DVD/+/-RW&CD, 60GB hard drive, 1gb memory if u can swing it.I always always recommend 2-year HP Accidental Damage Protection with Express Repair extended service plan. Accidental means if spill anything drop it, etc they repair it.


then i would jump over to the Dell website and customize to look about the same and see which better. That is just my . Hope it helps
M1G