Laptop advice.

[Eikechi]

I know there's a thread specifically for this type of question, but no one has posted in it since November 28th, and I need to get an answer sooner rather than later, as Christmas is quickly approaching.

I'm looking to get a laptop for Christmas, and I'm trying to stay within the $600-$700 range. I have a few laptops that look pretty decent for their price, and I need some advice on which one would be a better buy.

1.)HP Pavilion dv5z

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
AMD Turion(TM) X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor RM-70 (2.0GHz)
15.4" diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
FREE Upgrade to 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)!!
ATI Radeon(TM) HD 3200 Graphics
160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
HP Color Matching Keyboard
Wireless-G Card
SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

Price: $749.99, $599.99 after $150.00 instant rebate.

The above laptop was from HP's website; I was looking through sale ads and found some other laptops that seem comparable, but I'm not sure.(Less details from these... ad doesn't provide much.)

2.) HP Pavilion Notebook
AMD Turion X2 RM-70 Dual-Core Mobile Processor
nVIDIA Ge-Force graphics
3GB RAM
250GB Hard Drive
15.6" Screen
Wireless-N Networking
Webcam with microphone
CD/DVD recorder with Disc labeling technology

Price: $674.99, $549.99 after savings.


3.) HP Pavilion Notebook
Windows Vista Premium 64-bit Edition
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor Technology T5800
4GB RAM
250GB Hard Drive
14.1" Screen
Wireless-N Networking
Webcam with microphone

Price: $749.99, $649.99 after savings.


Note: Don't flame please, I'm pretty much a PC noob and definitely a Laptop noob. Thanks in advance for any help!

[Sigi]

The dv5z looks pretty nice. Another thing to consider for price is if you have employee discounts through your employer or school.

[Cephius]

Just because no one posted in the sticky for awhile doesn't mean it shouldn't be used That's why it's a sticky! No big deal though... just wait a bit longer next time.

Anyway, number 1 seems like your best choice, the dv5z. However you didn't list what type of video cards are used on the other two. That's pretty much going to be the difference between them. A lot of people have better success with the ATI chipsets as far as running FFXI goes, especially on these laptops. I'd stear away from the mobile geforce if you plan to play XI on it at all.