I've been searching for a deal on a new laptop for some time. I scored a sweet deal. Here are the specs:

HP (yeah - they aren't the best)
1.66 Intel Core Duo
Intel 845 graphics (sucks I know)
512gb
80gb 5400 hd
dvd-r
15" widescreen 1280x800

got it from Bestbuy on clearance for $300!

So after making the restore discs, I installed Vista Premiere. It's very nice. Aero is enabled and is a nice feature. The transparencies are suttle eye candy but never get in the way and don't seem to take away from what you are doing. It does seem slower than XP but with all the addons - it makes sense. I feel like I'm learning W95 all over again.

n2