True Touch environment notebooks like the Panasonic Toughbook series or the Fujitsu series (I don't remember series name) are not going to be in that pricerange.
For the cost you are looking at you are going to have to buy a consumer model like everyone else.
For battery life get an Intel Pentium M notebook -- the Toshiba M35 series (10% off custom online) or the Compaq X1000/ZT3000 series (all of these weigh 6.2-6.5 pounds with the 15.4" widescreen which is great for widescreen DVD's -- and get 3.5-4 hours battery life using wi-fi internet all the time or playing DVD's (or potentially longer if not using wi-fi).
See www.x1000forums.com for the Compaq/HP or www.notebookforums.com for the Toshiba and also Dell model reviews.
Cnet has reviews and customer reviews also for these models.
My son is currently bound for 18 mos. in Iraq and he wants to purchase a reliable unit that will stand up to conditions he might encounter while there. Since he expects it to be subjected to about the harshest environmental extremes, he wanted me to ask around for input on what would be the best. He wants to spend anywhere from 1200 to 1700$ if possible. 2 stripers don't bring in alot of $$$'s
Heres a list of items he'd like
>2 ghz proc. any flavor?
512 mb ram
60 gig HD
higher end graphics card
15" screen
DVD/CD-RW
10/100 NIC & Modem
min.2 usb ports
battery life as long as possible "you can understand why"
weight and size not really a problem - he said, "don't worry its my back & I'm a big strapper" and he really is...
But above all ruggedness & reliability a "must"
After all he's not going to be "just around the corner from the local compinthebox.
Anybody have any experience and suggestions.

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