selecting a laptop

By the way, Dell, Toshiba, and HP had nearly identical mid-pack service ratings (below Apple and IBM but above Sony at the bottom). Toshiba has a higher overall quality rating than HP/Compaq if that makes a difference to you but note that all major components (LCD, hard drive, etc) are made by outside sources so you should focus on the keyboard feel and the case construction to decide between the Toshiba 17" Pentium 4M and the HPzd7000 if you really want a quality desktop replacement notebook that does not break the bank.

Thanks for the detailed answer, Ken. I will consider the HPzd7000 with the option of UXGA resolution.

To follow-up, I indeed really don't consider battery life; I imagine it will pretty much always be plugged into the wall. The best way to describe my usage would be to say I'm using it for my home office; it's just that I will need to pack up and move that home office every 2-3 months, but I will settle down in that location for at least that period of time.

Thanks again for the recommendation.

I must be missing something, Ken. If I go to:

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_series.do?series_name=zd7000_series&catLevel=2&category=notebooks/hp_pavilion&storeName=computer_store

or http://tinyurl.com/3jarl

and click the Customize link, I get the following choices under display:

17.0" WXGA+ Wide Viewing (1440x900)
17.0" WXGA+ BrightView Wide Viewing (1440x900) +$50.00
17.0" WSXGA+ BrightView Wide Viewing (1680x1050) +$125.00

I don't see a UXGA option - am I in the wrong place?

On my HPZT3000 / Compaq X1000 series (15.4" widescreen Pentium M Centrino notebook -- 6.5 pounds) - they have the SXGA and UXGA resolution options.

I made an assumption that the 17" LCD would have the same custom order resolutions but as you have found out that is not the case (only SXGA I guess).

Try checking out the Toshiba 17" LCD equivalant at their web site and see if they offer it.

If you want to ever set up a wi-fi network at home (which is amazing once you have DSL or cable internet -- you will never want to go back) you may want to have the extended battery life that a Pentium M Centrino like the new 17" Dell and the 17" Sony Centrinos offer --even if it is just to use the notebook out on the back porch or on the coffee table in front of the TV (as I do -- may coffee table has a hinge to pull it up to table level), move it around at will while still connected to the internet without rebooting, etc.

Also, it gives you the ability to join the Starbucks Tmobile or other free wi-fi areas and not have to be plugged in.

Based on the service issue I told you about, unless the Sony has absolutely what you want (and the others don't) the Apple or Dell notebooks would be better choices in my opinion.

Are you sure you need the 17" LCD if you are not a gamer ??? The 15.4" widescreen or 15" square screen is still equivalent to a 16" CRT monitor (as they are do not measure the bezel around it as a CRT does) and that size allows better portability (and the use of a notebook backpack -- can't do that with a 17").

There are multiple options for UXGA at the 15.4" widescreen or 15" square screen level with a Pentium M Centrino including the HPZT3000 (see X1000forums.com) and other models, the Dell 8600, the Acer Ferrari, the Toshiba M35 series, etc.

The 15.4" widescreen gives you more spreadsheet area to the left and right (more columns, a bit less rows than a 15" square screen which is taller) for Excel even before getting a higher resolution and also it is outstanding for the occasional widescreen DVD.