Help! Need new laptop!

you might want to look into possibly an acer gemstone series laptop. I'm a Canadian as well btw. At my local Source by circuit city store (formally known as Radio Shack) the gemstone is priced at 1099 here's the specs directly off the site:

* Intel Core2 Duo Processor T5750
* 3072MB RAM
* 320GB hard drive
* 16" Screen
* Windows® Vista™ Home Premium
* 1366 x 768, but when connected to a 1080P product you will get 1920x1080 pixel resolution
* NVIDIA® GeForce® 9500M
* Two built in stereo speakers with an Acer Tuba CineBass booste
* Blu-Ray Disc/DVD-Super multi double layer drive
* Crystal Eye webcam
* Acer CineDash media console
* Numerous interface ports
* 1-Year Product Warranty

it's slightly bigger in screen size than I know you were looking for, however you'll be getting HD with Blu Ray as well as the true wide screen. With the Geforce 9500M it's 512MB dedicated video so it'll be an absolute beast and for your budget this will suite your girlfriend nicely you're looking probably 2-3hours before charging the battery on this type of config. reason I recommended this one is that I'm actually looking at it myself as a gamer and it's actually an amazing config for an off the shelf at that price point
here's a direct link to the laptop on their site so you can check it out more:
Click here

hope this helps in your search

PS for the additional data security they also sell a $20 fingerprint reader that works off USB. some higher priced laptops are coming with it built in but you'll be stretching your budget to get at them so this is a way better solution imo.

I would try the Dell Studio 15. 15" screen, available graphics card for $75 upgrade (256MB ATI mobile graphics card), backlit keyboard, $150 blue ray upgrade, fingerprint reader, etc. Dell's website is a good place to start. Click on the Studio 15 (starting at 599, but once you add all these features, will probably be about 1,000.)