The Centrino is 802.11b which is fine for web surfing but very slow for other purposes such as multi-media or lan.

We have "b" at the office and lan response is maddeningly slow. The new "g" standard should be better but you'll need a separate card.

I agree that portablity is the first question. I recently received a Dell Inspiron 8500 at the office and the 15.4 inch screen which adds nothing unless you're using it as a DVD player. With the brick and a light case the thing weighs over 10 pounds. It definitely is not portable.

I bought my daughter a Compaq with a 16 inch screen for $1,250 after rebates. The screen is much more useable than my 15.4. It too weighs over 10 pounds. Her friends who are upper classman say they don't ever lug their computers anywhere. I hope so, because with a few books she'll need a half back to carry it around.

I'm trying to find a victim for my Dell. I'd like to get a very light machine with a 12 inch screen that weighs maybe 5 pounds with the brick and case.

The M is essential for portablity because it uses a much smaller battery for the same battery life as a regular Pentium.

I agree with pdhenry.

The powers in IT ordered my Dell with something called an WSXGA+ screen. I guess if you want to view uncompressed 5 megapixal photos it's great. But the print is too small and I have fairly good eyesight. You can't change the native resolution without causing a marked deterioration in the image.

[This message has been edited by traveler123 (edited 08-05-2003).]