Alright, after having my Gateway 7305GZ for almost 2 years, I am thoroughly disgusted with it.

up till recently I didn't have a desktop of my own, so the whole desktop replacement idea that was behind my gateways Intel P4 3.2GHZ desktop processor in a laptop idea was great, but now I know the error of my ways.

So the requirements for what I am looking for:

Must have a battery life of longer than 34 minutes fully charged (no I am not joking)

DDR2
SATA
Intel Core 2 Duo

Can't be a desktop replacement, I like 15" screens or there about, but smaller is an option

Must be fairly light weight, a 13+ pound laptop is out of the question, 8 or less would be great

Wireless N would be nice as would any and all integrated HD functions and DX10


Mac's are nice and if I ever get to a point where I can afford one, I will have one, but the price point is a little high

I am not going to be doing anything strenuous on it, just listening to music, occasionally watching a video, office suite type stuff and surfing the web/blogging so it doesn't have to be a top performer either

$1500 or less would be great

Also, if you cant recommend any particular laptop, but have suggestions for other certain features to look for or other laptop purchasing tips, let me know.

I think Lenovo T61 will be a nice fit, you can get core 2 duo t61 for around 1499, and with coupons you can get extra upgrades with it.

I've used T31, T40 and T41p previously, all of them are build like a tank (not by means rugged). It does look kind a out of style, but underneath, it's a beastwack :p

Hmm, if you don't need it for serious stuff. Get a compaq presaro, or a HP Pavilion laptop...

I have the pavilion with 1GB ram. and Turion X2

I prefer AMD over intel.... I'd go with the AMD!

Lenovo is the company that bought IBM right?

i'll look at that one

i was at best buy yesterday and looked at their laptops, they have some nice ones, i decided that 15.4" isnt all its cracked up to be, i saw some very appealing 14" laptops, such as HP's Verve

and after looking today at the WWAN cards for the various service providers i think an ExpressCard slot might be necessary

Hmm, I thought you just wanted it for very basic use?

Do you have any long-term plans to become a developer or something... you can get a laptop cheap if you just need it for basic stuff.

really i just need it for basic stuff, but i do want a laptop that will do what i want when i want, with little to no delays

i am kind of looking at an asus laptop, the T61, and there is a new HP that is exclusive to Best Buy, called the Verve, looks cool as well as meeting all my requirements (i think, they didnt have a full list of stats at the store)

My only point was, don't buy more than you need, or will need in future. Don't overspend, and don't waste money...

Brand doesn't really matter to me, but I have good experience with HP (had 2)

Yes, HP has a great warranty! They will stand by their product pretty much whatever happens...

i have an HP desktop, and an HP laptop (currently broken, but it lasted 5 years with only minor repairs) i have no brand loyalty, brand whoring is just dumb, whoever is making the best product at the time, thats who i am loyal to

also after looking at the Asus Eee, it may meet my requirements, at a noticeably cheap price

right now though, for the money, the HP Verve looks to be my best bet, it looks to provide the battery life i desire, and should have sufficient power for what i want to do on it, plus it looks amazing.

I know, get a MacBook

*ducks*