Well, unless you are going to buy a leftover retail model you can scratch your list and start over.
The Sonoma Pentium M (Centrino) upgrade was released by Intel today .. the Dothan processor inside (2mb L2 system cache Pentium M') will be essentially the same but the RAM is faster, the bus speed is faster, there is improved integrated intel video (but it will be interesting to see how much that is improved), supposedly improved audio, a new chipset for the Centrino architecture and finally an improved wi-fi card to decrease interference with other devices.
See X1000forums.com for the HPZT3000/Compaq X1000 but as I said it appears the model is at the end of the line unless they reappear on hpshopping.com with upgraded Sonoma versions of these 2 notebooks very soon.
Note at hpshopping.com (go there and see yourself) that the HPZT3000/Compaq X1000 I have is now no longer offered.
Thus, HP/Compaq is likely preparing a new model and Dell has a new Pentium M model already at their website (which may replace the 8600).
Now, you have to evaluate the new notebooks to see if the integrated video is enough (shared) -- it was not adequate before ....
Also, it will be interesting to see what if any dedicated video options (video card) are on the new models.
The Toshiba M35S320 is a very old model that does not exist anymore - I nearly bought that when I got my Compaq X1360US (Compaq X1000) .. that had a Banias Pentium M 1.5 ghz cpu(not a Dothan with 2mb L2 cache - only had 1mb), 32mb dedicated video RAM, etc.
They still sell Toshiba M35X models (retail) and M30 models (online) but you would only want one with dedicated video memory.
The Toshiba Techra is a pricey business model compared to the others.
So I implore you to be patient and look for new Pentium M Sonoma models out there (Pentium M cpus will be 720, 730, etc instead of the old 715, 725) -- you are right at the introduction of improved technology so don't buy the old unless you get an outstanding discount on a leftover retail model and you don't want all the upgrades....
I have been shopping around for a well rounded notebook that would be very good for both personal and light business use and I have narrowed it down to the 4 below. Can anyone recommend a front-runner amongst these 4 or if there's anything better out there than the choices I have listed below, please let me know
Toshiba Satellite M35-S320
HP Pavilion zt3000
Toshiba Tecra A2-S336
HP Pavilion zt3010US Notebook
Features I want:
Installed Memory = 512MB
Display Size = 15inches
Processor Type = Pentium M
Hard Drive = 60Gb
Decent battery life (3hrs and above)
Wifi
Firewire
Included Drive CD-RW/DVD

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