HP dv9000z (Vista Ultimate)

Pros: speed, video quality

Cons: sound, some noise

Summary: Nice laptop in all. Plays all the games I need it to play (i.e. FEAR, AA). Duo is nice for multitasking. Keyboard with minimal flex, key location is fantastic. Display is great, no dead pix for me. The 2 GM Ram is the key with this system for gaming purposes. I considered the ASUS Z96J as well, but went with this for the GF7600 card (which I think is better), the larger screen, and the Microsoft software accessories; just to update mine.

I'm hesitant to have Vista. If you don't know why.......then do some more research. Hopefully the issues will iron themselves out over time. But I have a computer at home with XP that will accomplish what I need done.

I gave this computer a 9/10. I think the pad heats up a bit, the sound is as horrible as ever, and I never want to try HP support. That said, for $1300 you can't argue with a Duo Core, 2GM RAM, enough HD, Vista, some Microsoft software...etc.

Be sure to delete most of the crap that HP puts on the Harddrive. It's mostly worthless if you have any desire to upkeep the software, and it takes of worthwhile HD space.