looking for a labtop for the wife.

You could probably configure an hp with intergrated graphics to meet those specs, although you should probably spend alittle more and get MS Word, at least, I'd get office 03 basic at a bare minimum. Here's a V6000T like the one I designed for my sister when she went to college:

Operating System Genuine Windows XP Home Edition
fairly standard

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo T5200(1.60GHz/2MB L2Cache)
Core 2 Duo is the best line of processors in production at the moment, although for a school work PC (typing papers, web surfing, etc.) you could save a few bucks with an AMD based system and not notice the proformance difference

Display 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800)
The upgrade is free at the moment

Graphics Card Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 950 w/Ports
forced by hp will burn some system memory

Personalization Imprint Finish + Microphone + QuickPlay
forced by hp

Memory 1024MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
1gb

Hard Drive 80GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
You could get away with less disk space, but it isn't that much more money

Primary CD/DVD Drive DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
default

Networking 802.11b/g WLAN
default

Primary Battery 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
My sister only has to charge her battery every 3-4 days, although that will vary with usage, she has a Pentium M not a core 2 duo based system

Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works/Money
default

your additional options:


Click "edit" to modify. NOTE: These items are in stock and will ship immediately.

Special Printer Offer HP Deskjet F380 All-in-One
free after rebate

After rebates this comes to 815 +s/h
cut the HD to 40 gig and you get 765 +s/h

The HP posted below looks real good for the moneu you want to spend. Also look at Compaq.

That looks pretty good for around 800. Definitely stick with the 80bg HD though. I'm sure you've noticed, but 40GB drives fill up way too quickly.