Dell, Sony, or Thinkpad?

new Intel Core i7 mobile processor. One thing you said in the same sentence was battery life and backlit keyboard. Those sort of contradict each other. There really aren't much difference between laptop batteries. The things that seperate different laptop and battery life the components that use power.

I have never used Dell or Lenovo. But, my experience with Sony is that their quality is very poor, their customer service is a joke and their proprietary software is annoying.

After two years, my Sony literally fell apart. I had to go to Sony and download updates to all the Sony software and keep a list of what I had downloaded versus what was available to download. The .NET Framework was corrupt and I was lucky that Microsoft really helped me remove it and re-install it. Sony's customer service in India could not speak English and I think never actually used a Windows computer. Corel Word Perfect had been pre-installed but had problems. Corel never bothered to respond to e-mails, Sony thought that Corel should help me since "it was not Sony software" so, I uninstalled it and bought MS Office.

The only way to get any response from Sony's computer division in San Diego was to send "hot" e-mails to Sony's headquarters in Tokyo. Still, they refused to help at all.

1. The computer speakers were thrown away on the first day. Terrible sound.

2. After two years, the plastic fascia on the two DVD burner/player broke and fell off. Then, the DVD player would not eject. Then, the keyboard and mouse died. Then, the DVD burner died. Then, the power supply died.

I now have an i-Mac running Snow Leopard and Win XP/Home and I am thrilled to have quality and help in American English from trained technicians with Apple Care and I enjoyed free lessons at the Apple Store.

Good luck with Dell or Lenovo but...skip Sony.

Think Apple. The newest Macbook in the plastic case offers a lot for a grand. If the software is the same as my son's new MacBook Pro, there's even graphing software.

The keyboard is back lit. The battery life is outstanding.

I'm still in a Windows World. Both my wife and I use Vista Laptops. I love HP, my wife had good results with her older Vaio, so she stuck with Sony for a newer maching...BUT

Whoever said stay away from Sony is spot on. Sony support for touch pad problems was farcical. The machine is a year old, travels occasionally and now has case distortions on one side.

Stay away from Sony.

I bought a Dell Studio 1735 laptop back in January and have had a hidious time with it. When I got it it was suppose to have a back lit kayboard. The Keyboard didn't light up so I called Dell. They sent an outsourced contracted service rep out. He took the LT apart and realized the clip was broke that was to supply power to the light for the keyboard. Rep called Dell back and Dell was going to have the rep to replace the motherboard at my house. I got on the phone and told Dell that I did not buy a computer for them to peice together at my house. After arguing with them they agreed to send me another LT. Well the new LT came in and right off the bat I as getting the blue screen of death. Called Dell again. Dell sent me a box to send it back to them for repairs. After 2 weeks I got the LT back and after about 2 hours of using it the BSOD appeared again. Called Dell again. Dell sent me another Box to have it shipped back again. 2 weeks later I got the LT back and lo and behold the BSOD again. Called Dell and told them that if they dont find out what the trouble was this time then to not send the LT back but to send my money back to me. 2 weks later I got the LT back and found out it was the heatsink and cooling fan. After multiple headaches and arguements on the phone I finally got my computer back to working condition. No more BSOD.

On another note. I bought my son a Toshiba LT with vista 64bit on it. That is one powerhouse computer. If that computer can put up with a 13 year old boy then that is one stout system. He play world of warcraft and video chats with his friends on it and it doesn't miss a beat. Might want to look into a Toshiba LT also. Good quality but dont get the basic models (a bit cheap feeling). GL on your search and I hope my experience helps you make up your mind. Dell was good in the past but they have lost all site of quality and customer service. New slogan for Dell. Dude I ran from a Dell. lol

Like you, had a Dell Inspiron that served me well for years. It was heavy and the power supply ("the brick") was almost the same weight as the laptop. Nevertheless, it was a durable and reliable machine.

I cannot say the same for my new Lattitude E4300. I'm on my second one, because Dell could not fix the first one. After hours on the phone with Tech Support and a multitude of new components istalled by a factory rep, they finally gave in and sent me a new one.

I agree with one of the others who suggested looking into a Mac. I've heard nothing but good things from anyone who has owned one.