My question proceeds the stats.

=========================
HP Pavilion dv9608nr http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc [...] R1002_USEN
Best Buy: $849 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspag [...] ies&ks=960

OS:
Vista Home Premium

Hardware:
1.9 GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TL-58
1024 MB DDR2 (2 Dimm); [Considering Vista, I, on my own, would upgrade to 2gb's of Corsair for $70]
4096 MB max
NVIDIA GeForce Go 7150M (UMA) (64mb)
to 287 MB (64mb of this will be dedicated)
160 GB (5400 RPM) (SATA)
LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD±RW with Double Layer Support
17.0" WXGA+ High-Definition BrightView Widescreen (1440 x 900)
5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards
HP Mobile Remote Control
HP Imprint Finish & HP Pavilion WebCam with Integrated Microphone

Other:
7.7lbs

I don't see the information listed on the best buy site, but I talked to the people in the store and this laptop comes with an HD TV receiver and PVR (personal video recorder) for HD or SD tv recording.

The next model above it is the dv9628nr http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspag [...] ies&ks=960, but cost $250 more for just another gig of ram and a 240gb hard drive instead of a 160. I think that large capacity hard drives in laptops drive up the price of laptops unnecessarily when Seagate's Free Agents are so cheap AND portable, but that's just my opinion.

=========================

So is there anything lacking on this machine in your opinion? Is it worth it? I need the truth.

Here is a comparison of 5 laptops. What's your pick out of these: http://computers.pricegrabber.com/ [...] D=32514262

Thanks,
Shad

Ok, first off, I am more of an Intel cpu fan than AMD, so I'm biased there. At least its a dual core, but it only has 1Mb L2 Cache. I realize that the architecture is different from Intel, so I wont comment more. I would look for at least a T7100.

Yes, definitely upgrade to 2Gb 667 Ram like you mentioned.

The 7150M is a class 5 integrated video card...aka junk, and since you're considering Vista (personally I wouldn't), you should get at least an 8400m (class 3), or an 8600M (class 2) and can both utilize DX10. I would go XP and like a 7900gs, which is class 1, or even a Go 6800 is better than the 7150M. I prefer cards with at least 256MB dedicated ram, so then they don't share a portion of system ram.

Definitely look for a 7200rpm hard drive.

No WLan?

I guess for that price its OK, but I could not recommend it...especially to run Vista...no way!

I just picked up an E1705 from Dell outlet for under $900 that would blow that one away! The E1705 is basically an XPS M1710 without all the bells and whistles...mostly lights and flashy stuff.

Good luck with your search.

thanks. i'll check it out and get back with new ideas no doubt.

That M1710 is a sweet machine.

Well, the E1705 model is no longer available, however, I did find one priced at $999. Dell suggested the next model of E1721/1721, so I checked it out and customized it...which ended up being $1264. yikes! lol

Here is how I configured it:
====================================================
My Components
Intel® Core%u2122 2 Duo T7250 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
Jet Black
Glossy, high contrast, widescreen 17.0 inch display (1440 x 900)
128MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
Size: 120GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM) [Note: The 7200rpm drive was another $150]
CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini-Card
Built-in Bluetooth capability (2.0 EDR)
Integrated 2.0 Megapixel Webcam
85Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
High Definition Audio 2.0 [Note: this was default...would this be acceptable quality?]
Wireless mouse ($20)
====================================================

The "Intel® Core%u2122 2 Duo T5450 (1.66GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)" is $50 less.
The Intel® Core%u2122 2 Duo T5250 (1.5GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)" is $100 less.
Should I even consider the T5xxx chips?

EDIT:
I configured basically the same laptop (dv9500t) over at HP and it was a $1 difference and 2gb's of ram and an 8-cell battery. The 7200rpm drive was another $50. Oh yeah, it has an integrated web cam and mic.

I not sure what more I can cut out of it without shooting myself in the foot. How much of this machine do you think I can upgrade myself without having to send it in to dell? (I've built plenty of desktop models...it's just been about a half of decade or so).

*tag! you're it*

P.s. The reason I am trying to keep it under a $1k is so I can keep from having to make payments on it.

I know not many people want used systems, but check out the Dell outlet. They are refurbs/scratch and dent items that are actually in most case in excellent condition. My Dimension 4700 was a scratch and dent and the only scratch I found was on the bottom of the case where no one would see it. Anyway, I was just looking at E1705s through the outlet and there are 4 or so that have what you want except the Hard Drive (which you could upgrade on your own).All of them were under 1K. Just take a look and see if anything fits the bill.

That was another question I was going to ask about. So, since you're suggesting refurbs, I guess you believe them to be a viable option. I've always been leery of them.

Another quick question; Does Dell have a good machine? Who is leading the race right now? I guess you can't determine machine quality by their support, b/c just about everyone (Dell, HP, etc.) would be losing.

What's your thoughts on these matters?

EDIT:
I know we've been talking about <$1,000, but for the sake of conversation, what do you think about this one for $1150:
===========================================
Microprocessor 2.00 GHz Intel® Centrino® Duo processor technology featuring Intel® Core %u2122 2 Duo processor T7300
Microprocessor Cache 4 MB L2 Cache
Memory 2048 MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Memory Max 2048 MB max supported
Video Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
Video Memory Up to 1023 MB total graphics memory, 256 MB dedicated
Hard Drive 320 GB (5400 RPM) Dual HDD - 160 GB x 2 (SATA)
Multimedia Drive LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support
Display 17.0" WXGA+ High-Definition BrightView Widescreen (1440 x 900)
Fax/Modem High speed 56k modem
Network Card Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)
Wireless Connectivity Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection
Multimedia Features HP Imprint Finish & HP Pavilion WebCam with Integrated Microphone
Sound Altec Lansing
Keyboard 101-key compatible

Notebook keyboard with scroll bar and integrated numeric keypad

2 Quick Launch Buttons-HP Quick Play Menu and DVD
Pointing Device Touch Pad with On/Off button and dedicated vertical scroll Up/Down pad
PC Card Slots

* 1 ExpressCard/54 Slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)

External Ports

* 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards
* 3 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0
* 2 Headphone out
* 1 microphone-in
* 1 VGA (15-pin)
* 1 TV-Out (S-video)
* 1 RJ-11 (modem)
* 1 RJ -45 (LAN)
* 1 notebook expansion port 3
* 1 IEEE 1394 Firewire (4-pin)
* 1 Consumer IR

Dimensions 15.16 (L) X 11.65" (W) X 1.57"(H)
Weight 7.7 lbs
Security

* Kensington® MicroSaver lock slot
* Power-on password
* Accepts 3rd party security lock devices

Power

* 90W AC Adapter
* 8-Cell Lithium-Ion battery

HP Mobile Remote Control
1.5yr extended warranty
===========================================

Thanks again,
Shad

That machine would be a good option for what you want to use it for. What RAID configuration are the drives set up in? If they are in RAID-0 just be careful. If one drive fails in RAID-0 you loose everything.

Yes I consider refurbs as an option, it is entirely up to you though since you are the one that has to live with the machine. Dell's laptops are consistently better than their desktops. I think Dell and HP are neck and neck in terms of OEM sales. Neither one has great support, but from what I see in reviews Dell is getting better. They are or are supposed to be bringing more jobs back into the US.

Dell refurbs come with the standard 1 year Dell warranty...nothing to worry about. And yes, I do recommend the outlet. My E1705 arrived "AS NEW".