I'm trying to make a decision between the two above screen resoultions.

The laptop in question will be used for mainstrean Microsoft Ofice apps, and the only regular graphical use will be playing DVD movies.

The price diffference is not that great (and therefore not a make-or-break factor) - availability at the time of purchase is the main consideration. The XGA configuration is available from many vendors (including those who do not charge sales tax). The SXGA is pretty much only available from the manufacturer's direct sales outlet, which does charge sales tax (about $100 in my case). Also, the manufacturer's site has a lag time of about 2 to 3 weeks when the SXGA screen is ordered.

Question: Generally speaking, is there is a huge difference in the screen/image quality all other things being equal? Or should I bite the bullet (and wallet) and go for the SXGA?

Two factors:

a) I do not use video games, so that kind of graphics-intensive use is not a factor.
b) An increasing number of my DVDs are from high-definition originals of European telecasts of stage performances (dual layer regular DVDs (DVD-9), not Blu-Ray or HD_DVD)

Thanks as always for your help and opinions.

And also - a public thanks to ScottC for his previous invaluable help in determining some other configuration issues ^ :-: