Wow. If it wasn't for the CPU and hard disk, the acer looks to be a clear winner to me. The hard disk could be cheap to kick up, but lets see what Ken writes about the CPU.
Big Pluses in my book:
1. DVD dual drive.
2. The 9700 video chip should win the video benchmarks.
3. XP Pro.
Bob
Okay, truebelievers.
I've narrowed it down to two machines.
Please offer your honest advice... This will be my only computer. I like both machines, so it's really more about WHICH IS THE BETTER DEAL.
AT $1375:
ACER: 1.5 Centrino 715, 15.4 WXGA, 64mb radeon 9700, DVD+/-RW (dual drive), 40gig hd @ 4200, XP PRO, 512 (256x2 dimm) RAM
AT $1500:
HP: Centrino 1.6 725, 15.4 WXGA briteview, 64mb radeon 9200, DVD+RW, 60gig @ 5400, XP HOME, 512 (1dimm)RAM
you tell me?
thanks!

Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic