Originally Posted by gresch

Newegg has that machine as well, for less $$$....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834146142

I don't have any insight into the non-Thinkpad lines, but if they're similar it should be fine. Did you check out the R50 series?

(by the way, I'm working on 20 years in the IT business, overall, Dell's are unreliable and do not hold up well to the punishment that teenager/heavy user can dish out, if I were in your situation, I would stick with the IBM/Lenovo machines)

Good luck... let me know if you have any questions...