I sold the last desktop I will probably own for awhile and am shopping for a reliable laptop. I will be primary working with multiple applications, mainly browsers and MS Office, running at the same time, and, perhaps, watch the occasional movie on it while flying. If anyone has tips on what to look for in a laptop when or specific models to look at, please post. I am looking to spend less than 1000 and the lesser the better.

Having a video output would be nice, even the capability to use a dual monitor function would be nice. I am keeping my 28 inch monitor to read PDF files, so it is important to have either an output or dual monitor functionality as well.

Option 1 - Energy Efficient
CPU 1.8 GHz Dual Core or lower ( Core 2 Dou)
Hard Drive - 5400 RPM
Video - Intel GM X3100
RAM - 3 - 4 Gig
LAN - 10/100/1000
WAN - 802.11 a/b/g/n / Bluetooth
Screen Size 14" - 15"
Battery - 8 Cell
Opital Drive - DVD/RW + Blue Ray Rom
Video Out - Composite or S-VIDEO + VGA
 
Option 2 - Media and Some Gaming
CPU - 1.8 GHz Dual Core or higher ( Core 2 Dou)
Hard Drive - 7200 RPM
Video - HD 2400 / 8400M GS or higher
RAM - 3 Gig
LAN - 10/100/1000
WAN - 802.11 a/b/g/n / Bluetooth
Screen Size 15" - 17"
Battery - 8 Cell
Opital Drive - DVD/RW + Blue Ray Rom
Video Out - S-VIDEO or HDMI + VGA
 
Candidates: ACCER / HP / COMPAQ / TOSHIBA
Some LG / ASUS & DELL