Computer Recommendations?

[EQ3282]

Hi All,

So, our computer bit the dust the other day (corrupted HD, 4+ years old). I am typing this on my work computer.

Just wanted some recommendations from people, but within the below requests:

- It having a BD drive isn't important (it will be years, if at all, before BD is a common computer medium. If that time comes, we'll get an external drive)

- As much as my GF and I like Apple, we won't be getting a Mac (too expensive)

- Our budget is in the $700-$1100 range (but would like to keep it under 1k)

- Laptop...no desktops, with at least a 15.5 inch screen.

- Our basic use will be for email, internet surfing, music/video downloading, some word processing and spreadhseets, and occassionaly for playing movies. Gaming is not out of the realm of possibility (including MMORPs), but won't be a regular thing.

- Please keep recommendations to either anything you have personally used (pros and cons), or if you have knowledge of computers. Save the "PC sucks, Apple rocks" posts for another time.

- We're not 100% against any brand, but will say that Dell and Toshiba are two favorites right now. But we'll listen to brand recommendations as well as specific computers and computer components (processors, operating systems, etc)

- I've heard not-so-great things about Vista in general, but specifcally about the 64 bit version (including problems with Firefox). Is this a valid concern? We'll probably upgrade to W7 when its released, but have read that if the computer can run XP, it can run W7.

Thanks in advance!