A sub-$1,000 Laptop - Please advice!

I would recommend a Acer Aspire 3005WLMi Laptop.

But, I don't know if you like Acer, but if you do, I recommend Acer Aspire 3005WLMi.

I just purchased this one today. although you might want the dual core for encoding. i was just trying to get the best bang for my buck with the better video card and 7200rpm hd which i couldnt find retail without spending and arm and a leg. use the 20% off at xpbargains.com. also the E1505 and 6400 are the same.

E1505 Single Core
Intel® Core™ Solo Proc T1350 (1.86GHz/533MHz/1 X 2MB L2 Cache), Genuine Windows® XP Home $1,001.00 1 $1,001.00
Inspiron E1505 Intel® Core™ Solo Proc T1350 (1.86GHz/533MHz/1 X 2MB L2 Cache)
[222-3777]

LCD Panel 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™
[320-4651]

Memory 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
[311-5776]

Video Card 256MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory™
[320-4655]

Hard Drive 60GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
[341-3110]
[420-5449]

Operating System Genuine Windows® XP Home
[412-0689]
[412-0706]
[420-4766]
[420-4830]
[420-4928]
[420-5460]
[420-5476]
[420-5769]
[420-5924]
[463-2282]

Network Card and Modem Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
[430-0493]

Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
[430-1048]

Combo/DVD+RW Drives 8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
[313-3959]
[420-5775]
[420-5901]

Sound Options Integrated Audio
[313-4217]

Wireless Networking Cards Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini Card (54Mbps)
[430-1630]

Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) No productivity suite- Corel WordPerfect word processor only
[412-0803]

Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) No Security Subscription
[412-0850]

Primary Battery 53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
[312-0404]

Hardware Warranty 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr Mail-In Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Support
[950-3337]
[950-9057]
[950-9410]
[960-6910]
[983-7607]

Dial-Up Internet Access 6 Months America Online Internet Access Included
[412-0687]
[412-0787]
[420-3224]

Miscellaneous Award Winning Service, Support
[465-1180]

Free SKIN Promotion 15 - Free Promotion for 15 inch Skin
[465-5400]

Future Operating Systems Windows Vista™ Capable
[465-4663]

Dell Digital Entertainment Starter Entertainment Pack - Basic digital Music, Photo and Game experience
[412-0865]


20% off Inspiron $999 or more (before tax, restocking fees, shipping and handling)! - $200.20
Subtotal: $800.80
Shipping and Handling: $19.99

Shipping Discount: -$19.99

Sales Tax: $56.06
Total: $856.86