Pipeline Surf Point

So, I’m going to boarding school in the fall as a junior (11th grade) and am getting a laptop within the next few weeks. I’m pretty much set on the Dell Studio 15 (feel free to tell me your experiences/opinions on them…). I’m not computer savy at all so I need help building it. I’ll list what I’ve put together, but PLEASE tell me if I need more or less. And in case it helps, I’ll be using it for school work, internet surfing, uploading pictures and videos off my camera (I’m not a photographer or anything, but I just take pictures and videos once in a while).
Dell Studio 15 (starts at $599)
+ $30 Promise Pink
[included in price] Pentium Dual Core T4200 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/1MB cache)
however, I’m contemplating if it’s worth the extra $50 to upgrade to:
Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 (2.00 GHz/ 800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
will it make much of a difference? if so, what exactly will it do?
[included in price] Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium Edition SP1
[included in price] 1 year limited warranty + mail in service
[included in price] no productivity software
I do NEED Microsoft Office Home + Student 2007 and was thinking I could buy it and install in on my computer for less $ than upgrading on dell.com for $139…is this true?
[included in price] bright, glossy widescreen 15.4 WLED display (1280×800)
[included in price] 3GB shared dual channel DDR2 at 800MHz
[included in price] 250GB SATA hard drive (5400RPM)
[included in price] Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500 MHD
Would it be possible to play any games with this video card..such as Zoo Tycoon, horseback riding games like Time To Ride?
[included in price] 8x Slot Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD +/- R Drive)
NOT DECIDED! :
[included in price] Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g half mini-card
or
+$35 Intel WiFi Link 5100 802.11agn half mini-card
is the second option much better? will I notice a difference?
$0 No Mobile Broadband Network…i dont need this, correct?
[included in price] Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
[included in price] 56 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)…would the 85 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell) be much better for the extra $40?
[included in price] High Definition Audio 2.0
+$25 Back-lit Keyboard
$0 No Fingerprint Scanner
I have heard that the speakers are horrendous on this laptop…but how bad exactly? Like, could I watch videos on YouTube and be able to hear? And listen to music (I’d never need it to blare across the room) but quietly while I’m sitting next to it?
Thank you SO MUCH for helping me. I appreciate any bit of info/tips anyone can give me :]

Hey guys..I know many of you will have your opinions on which notebooks are better and macs are terrible or hp rules but i’m pretty set on going with the Dell. I’ve had good experiences before.
This notebook will be primarily used for internet surfing, iTunes/music, report typing, DVD, studying tool, pictures, etc. Not much gaming- if any at all. I have a webcam attatchment, mouse, cooling fan and little speakers added but I won’t list them out here. I wanted to know how this configuration matches up, and any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Inspiron 1525 Intel® Pentium® Dual Core T3200 (2.0GHz/667Mhz FSB/1MB cache)
Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic Edition SP1
Memory: 3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 (2 Dimms)
LCD Panel: Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280×800)
Video Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Hard Drive Size: 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Network: Integrated 10/100 Network Card
Modem: Integrated Modem
Sound Card: High Definition Audio 2.0
Wireless Networking Cards: Dell Wireless 1505 Wireless-N Mini-card
Battery Options: 9 cell Battery
TOTAL: $869.00 (remember that includes what’s listed in the second paragraph) Thanks!!

I am going to buy a new PC from Dell, and I’m going to get the Inspiron 530. I am not going to get the Celeron CPU, I will get at least the Pentium Dual Core E5200, but I was wondering what will make the most difference in performance, upgrading the CPU to a Core 2 Duo E7400, or upgrading the graphics to a 256MB ATI Radeon HD 345. I am going to use this computer for storing / playing music (iTunes mainly), watching films, web surfing, E-mail, MSN, and playing some games (nothing like Oblivion or Crysis, more like Sims 2 / 3, Counter Strike Source, Trackmania, and other Steam games) on medium settings. So, for all that, what would be better, Pentium Dual Core and 256MB ATI Radeon HD 345, or Core 2 Duo E7400 and Integrated Intel Graphic Media Accelerator 3100? The other specs will probably be 2GB 800Mhz RAM, 250GB HDD, 17″ 1440 x 900 Widescreen LCD monitor, DVD +/- RW drive, and integrated 7.1 HD audio. Thanks

Here are my options :
HP Pavilion dv5z customizable Notebook PC
* – Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
* – AMD Turion(TM) X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor RM-70 (2.0GHz)
* – 15.4″ diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
* – 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* – ATI Radeon(TM) HD 3200 Graphics
* – 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* – Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
* – HP Color Matching Keyboard
* – 802.11b/g WLAN
* – No Modem
* – SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
* – No TV Tuner w/remote control
* – 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* – $100 OFF Microsoft(R) Office Home and Student 2007!!
* – HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope
and
3-year Accidental Damage Protection Extended Service Plan for Notebook PCs
cost: 940.04
Inspiron 1525 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5750 (2.00GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Operating System -Genuine Windows Vista® SP1 Home Premium Edition
System Color -Midnight Blue BLU
Memory- 3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz 3G2D
LCD Panel -Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280×800) 15XGAT
Video Card Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 INTAC
Hard Drive Size: 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM) 250GB
Network Integrated 10/100 Network Card INTNIC
Modem Integrated Modem I56NM
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 8.1 ADOBER
Combo or DVD+RW Drive CD Writer / DVD player (Combo Drive) 24COMBO
Sound Card High Definition Audio 2.0 IS
Wireless Networking Cards Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini-Card DW1395
Camera Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam DCAMERA
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) Special Offer:Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007
Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 30-Days MC930D
Battery Options 6 cell battery 6BAT
Warranty & Service 3Yr Ltd HW WRTY, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis, 24×7 Phone Support SQ3OS
Accident and Theft Protection Add Accidental Damage and LoJack Theft Protection to 3Yr Warr. CCLJ3
Datasafe Included 3 GB DataSafe Online Backup for 1Yr DATSF3G
Dial-Up Internet Access No ISP requested NISP
Dell Recycling Free Recycling Kit RECYCL
Processor Branding Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor IC2DNB
Labels Windows Vista™ Premium
cost: 936.56
I will be using this computer mainly for school, chatting, email, dowloading music and burning dvd’s also surfing the web. I’m not into gaming. if you think other options would be more suitable please offer that info. thanks

I am looking for a laptop that will fulfill basic purposes, such as surfing the internet, typing documents, listening to music, burning some songs sometimes and watching movies. I am really looking for a simple laptop but i want it to last me a good 4-6 years.
I have narrowed it down t the Sony VAIO and the DELL Inspiron
Here are the specs for the DELL:
Intel® Pentium® Dual Core T4200 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/1MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1
Microsoft Works
Glossy, widescreen 15.6 inch display (1366×768)
3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz
250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD
8X CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
Dell Wireless 1515 802.11 Wireless-N Mini-card
6-cell battery
High Definition Audio 2.0
3 Months Bell Internet Performance (ON & QC)
Wild Tangent Games
The price of this laptop is 659$
Here are the specs for the Sony: http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet…
Go to that website and click specifications, right under the picture of the laptop… The price is 899$
Which is better? Why?
Which brand has better customer service?
Thank-you