New laptop - decision help!

[skanji]

Here are my updated needs:
- MS Office, Video editing
- less than $1000 budget (US or CDN - I can buy in both places!)
- at least 2-4GB of RAM
- integrated webcam
- 9 cell battery
- wireless connection (g or n)
- VGA out
- NO GLOSSY SCREEN - matte only!
- portability relatively important as well as weight
- fingerprint recognition, HDMI out and cd/sd card reader (all not as important, but would be nice)

I have it narrowed down to the following Dells:
D830
Studio 17
Studio 15
Inspiron 1525
XPS m1330
(and the IBM Thinkpad r61!)

...anyone of the above ones I should just remove automatically - I think the Inspiron may have to go based on principle!!! (replacing my inspiron 2200)

A bud of mine is coming down from Philly - so I can buy a US deal too if any exist.

Also, is there a website to compare these side by side?

[Silver Bullet]

1. notebookreview.com - great site for research
2. I'd say go with the XPS m1530 but you won't be able to get it for under $1k.
3. Video editing on a laptop (which as a dual core cpu and slow HD) isn't going to be your best option. $1k towards a desktop would ALOT further in term of performance.

[skanji]

1. notebookreview.com - great site for research
2. I'd say go with the XPS m1530 but you won't be able to get it for under $1k.
3. Video editing on a laptop (which as a dual core cpu and slow HD) isn't going to be your best option. $1k towards a desktop would ALOT further in term of performance.

What about the following (from a local dealer):

IBM Lenovo ThinkPad R61e
Processor: Intel Celeron Core Solo @ 1.86, 1MB cache
Chipset: Intel Mobile 965 Express chipset (Crestline)
Graphics: Intel X3100 (Integrated graphics card)
Display: 15.4" WXGA 1280x800 , non glossy
Hard Drive: 120GB 5400RPM
Memory: 1GB
Ports: 3 USB 2.0, GbE Ethernet, Modem, Monitor out, Headphone OUT,
Microphone IN
Slots: 1 PC Card Slot, 1 Express Card slot
Optical Drive: Ultra-bay CDRW/DVD player
Interfaces: Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG LAN
6 cell battery
Vista Basic

Asking $565 (worth over 800 plus tax), 1yr warranty, less 6 weeks, but Brand
new, never used.
Upgrades:
2GB RAM - $35
3GB - $55
160GB HD, 7200RPM - $50 (fastest HD available)
Intel Dual Core CPU T2330 @1.6GHz, 533MHz FSB, 1MB Cache, $45
Inte Dual Core CPU T5750, @2.0GHz, 667MHz FSB, 2MB cache, $75
Intel Dual Core CPU T8100, @2.1GHz, 800MHz FSB, 3MB cache, $125 (Penryn based)
XP Pro or Vista Ultimate/Home premium/business- possible
DVD burner, possible

[pitz]

I really like my D830. I've pretty much used it constantly for a year now, lugged it on over 60 flights (and through airport security an equivilant number of times), and dropped it a few times...

*highly* suggest that you come up with the extra money for a 1680x1050 screen if you're going with the 15" format.

[charliebrown]

What about the following (from a local dealer):

IBM Lenovo ThinkPad R61e
Processor: Intel Celeron Core Solo @ 1.86, 1MB cache
Chipset: Intel Mobile 965 Express chipset (Crestline)
Graphics: Intel X3100 (Integrated graphics card)
Display: 15.4" WXGA 1280x800 , non glossy
Hard Drive: 120GB 5400RPM
Memory: 1GB
Ports: 3 USB 2.0, GbE Ethernet, Modem, Monitor out, Headphone OUT,
Microphone IN
Slots: 1 PC Card Slot, 1 Express Card slot
Optical Drive: Ultra-bay CDRW/DVD player
Interfaces: Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG LAN
6 cell battery
Vista Basic

Asking $565 (worth over 800 plus tax), 1yr warranty, less 6 weeks, but Brand
new, never used.
Upgrades:
2GB RAM - $35
3GB - $55
160GB HD, 7200RPM - $50 (fastest HD available)
Intel Dual Core CPU T2330 @1.6GHz, 533MHz FSB, 1MB Cache, $45
Inte Dual Core CPU T5750, @2.0GHz, 667MHz FSB, 2MB cache, $75
Intel Dual Core CPU T8100, @2.1GHz, 800MHz FSB, 3MB cache, $125 (Penryn based)
XP Pro or Vista Ultimate/Home premium/business- possible
DVD burner, possible

I'd say no...since it wont cost you that much more for a brand new dell with a core2duo processor compared to the $565 Celeron Core Solo @ 1.86