This is what I'm getting my son:

- Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.2Ghz
- 2 Gigabytes DDR2-667 RAM
- Dedicated videocard: nVidia Mobility 8600GT w/ 512 megabytes DDR3 RAM
- 160 Gigabyte 7200 RPM super slim notebook hard drive
- 8x Dual format DVD +-R/+-RW + 16x CD-R/RW
- Onboard 3D surround sound (no option for dedicated sound card)
- 10/100/1000 LAN
- 802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN
- 4-in-1 media card reader/writer built-in
- IEEE-1394 Firewire port
- Built-in webcam

and... Windows XP sp2

I found a vendor that lets you opt to put Windows XP on it instead of Vista. Yay!

 

Hey DAd, let me give you my new address and mail it to me. Lucky kid.

 

Yep..that is a kicker with that vid card....glad you went with the Core 2 Duo...you and your son will be also!



Goose

 

Very nice...Very Very nice and the XP option is really really nice.

 

How much and what brand?

 

Hey LR, looking to adopt a 40 year old "son"?

Nice sounding machine...better than my work laptop.

 

$1165 & free shipping. http://www.ibuypower.com/mall/notebook.asp

They have a configurator where you can customize different models as desired.

 

Yeah, I wanted to up-spec it as much as possible... it needs to be unobsolete for as long as possible through college beginning in fall semester '08.

Was little hesitant about the brand but Newegg sells iBuypower branded notebooks-- that's actually how I got onto it. I hope it holds up okay. Going to put LoJack Theft Recovery on it prior to it going off to college w/ him.

 

Good choice with Windows XP ... i read we'll get a sevice pack 3 soon (january 2008) and XP will be more secure than Vista.

 

Yeah, I was a little concerned about choosing XP for into the next four years, obsolescence and all, but I've just heard too many bad things about Vista.