[besmusic]

Andrew, you'd be much better off per the experts on this forum (not I), to go with (from cheapest to most expensive):

The HP AMD 2500+ laptop - you can get this for below $1000.
The E-machines AMD 64 laptop (test results not in yet, but will be soon and expected to do well)
The HP Centrino laptops (Best Buy carries the 1.4 and the 1.5 versions.

If you don't have to shop at best buy, you should also look at the Dell Inspiron 8600. They are consisten strong performers on the Davec. I recently found some coupons online and purchased their 1.7 with a 60gig 7200 rpm drive (recommended if possible) and a DVD burner, and a UXGA screen (highest quality and resolution) and it totaled $1758.

Best of luck to you.