PC Laptop that will run PT Essential

[bilco]

I am successfully running PT E on an iMac with XP SP3 via Boot Camp, even though it is not supported.

I need to come up with a portable version of this rig.

My G4 iBook is a PPC model, so it won't run PT E 8.03.

I am thinking of switching to Windows just because the cost of a new Macbook or Macbook Pro is so high.

Given that PT E doesn't hog as many resources as PT LE and that I am using a Fast Track USB Mk II, so Firewire chipsets are not an issue, can anyone point me to a relatively inexpensive laptop that will support PT E running Windows 7?

I can't give a Sandra Report on something I don't own yet, but here is what I am thinking of getting:

Acer Aspire 15.6"

• Computer Features: Numeric Keypad, SuperMulti DVD Optical Drive
• Processor Type: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core TK-42
• Processor Speed: Up to 1.6 Ghz
• Battery Life: Up to 2.5 Hours
• Hard Drive Capacity: 320GB Hard Drive Capacity
• Hard Drive Speed: 5400 RPM
• Hard Drive Interface: SATA
• System Bus Speed: Up to 667 Mhz
• System RAM: 3072 MB
• Memory RAM Type: DDR2
• RAM Maximum Expandable To: 4 GB
• Graphics Memory (Shared): 1663 MB
• Graphics Memory (Dedicated): 256 MB
• Cache Memory Installed Capacity: 1MB L2 Cache
• Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• Optical Drive Type: Double Layer, DVD±RW/CD-RW Drive
• Electronic Display Features: High-Definition, LCD Display, Widescreen
• Maximum Resolution: 1366 x 768
• Input Type: Headphone Jack, Microphone
• IEEE 1394 (Firewire) Ports: 0
• USB 2.0 Ports: 2
• VGA Inputs: 1
• Built-In Card Reader Type: 5-in-1 Card Reader
• Built-In Graphics Card Type: ATI Radeon HD 3200
• Built-In Webcam Features: Built-In Webcam
• Wired Standard: 10/100 Ethernet LAN
• Wireless Technology: Wi-Fi Enabled
• Wireless Standard: 802.11b/g/Draft-N
• Audio Features: Built-In Speakers, High Definition Audio Speakers
• Includes: AC Power Adapter, Power Cord

There used to be lists of laptops and desktops that were recognized by Digi as being compatible, but I can't find anything like that these days. I just need a recommendation of a laptop, preferably < $500, that will work with the Fast Track USB Mk II and PT E 8.0.3 running Windows 7, 64 bit.

Thanks,
bilco

[bilco]

For any who ask the question later and get as many responses as I did,

the answer is forget about trying to find the perfect PC laptop and get a

MacBook Pro

Works great

bilco