Wanted: Notebook for coffee shop web-surfing + Word/Excel

Why don't you look at 2 HP models for the sake of determining what you priorities really are (especially in reference to 'occasional games'.

1) HP DV1000 (see hpshopping.com --under HP consumer notebooks). This model has just been released (see Cnet review). It has only shared video memory (not dedicated) but it is a ideal notebook for frequent travelers and light processing loads and games. It has a remote control that slides into the PCcard slot that allows you to control the CD player and DVD player from across the room. Also, these can be played without booting up the notebook which saves time and battery life when using these functions only. It has a 14" LCD so it weighs in the 5.5 pound range. The key drawback is the lack of dedicated video RAM (any video RAM). It is a Pentium M Centrino notebook so get at least the Pentium M 725 1.6 Dothan to get the 2mb L2 system cache for best web surfing performance (double the cache of lower Pentium M's)

2) HPZT3000 / Compaq X1000 series (see X1000forums.com for details) .. this is a 15.4" widescreen notebook with up to 64mb dedicated video. This will even play Doom 3 on reduced settings (if you are a hard core gamer you would want the Dell 8600 with the 128mb dedicated video option but that is thicker and heavier). The 15.4" widescreen adds a pound of weight (to 6.5 pounds) but it will still fit in a 15" Targus notebook backpack or equivalent. It is outstanding for widescreen DVD's and Excel as the widescreen gives you more columns to the left and right as opposed to a square screen (but a bit less rows from top to bottom).
I have an X1000 series myself and I insist on at least some dedicated video RAM (does not use system RAM to slow down system and performs much better than shared memory).

But if you really will be doing light Microsoft Office work, web surfing, etc with light games the DV1000 may be for you (it just came out).

There is also a dedicated forum for the DV1000 posted on X1000forums.com (as people there have been comparing them as well).

Of course you can buy whatever brand you want but look at these 2 notebooks to determine your weight, LCD size, video performance, etc priorities.

There is a $100 custom order rebate on any HP model through 12/1/04 and a 6% APP college discount, 12% Employer EPP discount, 3% Fatcash portal discount, etc.

You can read about all of these issues on the forums.

Other important items are hard drive rpm speed and LCD resolution. Both of these notebooks can be ordered with the new XGA (1024x768 is widescren equivalent 1200x800) HP Briteview LCDS at hpshopping (similar to Sony Xbrite or Toshiba Trubrite) or you can order the higher SXGA or UXGA resolutions in a non Briteview display. Also, a 5400rpm hard drive will perform up to 50% faster when doing heavy program work but for Microsoft office is you have at least 512mb RAM that will be the main factor (and at least the Pentium M 725 Dothan with 2mb L2 cache). The 15.4" widescreen models make it a bit easier for the keyboard space.

You could also move even smaller to a 13.3" Fujitsu, etc but nearly all notebooks under 14" LCD and 5 pounds are using shared video memory.