HP Compaq Presario V3000

Pros: Size, Gloss Casing, Performance with Turion X2 and 1GB of dual channel DDR2 RAM (incredibly multitasking); top notch integrated graphics (NVIDIA 6150)

Cons: Battery life is just average, but still not a hindrance

Summary: I will respectfully disagree with CNET's underwhelming review of the V3000. It is easily HP/Compaq's best offering to date, and it's wide array of possible configurations makes it perfect for a broad range of applications. Such versatility also makes it difficult to judge with a simple, 6.9 CNET rating.

Just to make things clear: this laptop is availabe with both AMD and Intel Dual core processors, and all the advantages/pitfalls of both.

I wont get into specs. of my notebook here, because you can create your own. Just make sure you get a ton of ram--this stuff is dual channel, so you'll benefit even more so, and the video card takes 256mb if configured with the AMD processor. Trust me, that's a good thing when you're talking about integrated graphics (needs all the help it can get).

As far as form--it might be my favorite aspect of the v3000. The design is simply stunning, and it's even better lookning/feeling than the more expensive HP version, the DV2000 (unfortunate for the HP designers, but great for us consumers). 3 USB ports on the sides(and not in the back), firewire, bright and clear display, excellent touchpad, extremely unique mouse buttons (in a good way), touch sensitive volume buttons, multiple media card reader, mic on laptop lid, perfectly placed headphone jacks and partial OS boot for media. The remote control that fits into the PC card slot is also extremely neat and impressive. I could elaborate, but won't.

Just know that the features are all there in this HD video capable, sturdy laptop.
Performance is stunning for such a low total price. It can be made even cheaper with the student discount.

Highly recommended over the competitors Dell, ugly as sin (although a similarly tremendous value, I admit). Sony, completely overpriced, and the design not any better than this for its medium sized laptops.

Enjoy

Ivan