Laptop Recommendations

I'm looking at buying 2 laptops, one for myself and one for my girlfriend. I am not looking at spending much over $1,000. I have found 2 that I am interested in. If anyone has any suggestions can you please let me know.

One from Compaq:
Compaq Presario V2600
Processor type: 1.80GHz AMD Sempron™ processor 3100+
Standard memory: 512 MB
Memory type: DDR 333 MHz
Memory layout: (1 x 512 MB)

Internal drives
Internal hard disk drive: 40 GB
Hard disk drive speed: 4200 rpm
Optical drive type: CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive

System features
Modem: High speed 56K modem
Network interface: 10/100 LAN Ethernet integrated
Wireless technologies: 802.11b/g WLAN with 125HSM/SpeedBooster support
External I/O ports: 1 VGA, 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 IEEE-1394, 1 RJ-11, 1 RJ -45, S-video out, 1 headphone-out, 1 microphone-in, 1 Expansion Port 2 connector, AC Adapter
Expansion slots: One ExpressCad/54 slot
Display size: 14" WXGA BrightView Display
Video adapter: ATI Radeon® Xpress 200

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/au/en/ho/WF05a/1090709-1116637-1123071-1123071-1123071-12455160.html

and one from Lenovo:
Lenovo 3000 C100
Hard Disk Drives
Hard disk size: 40 GB

Memory
Memory (RAM): 512MB

Network Card
Fax/modem: 56K V.92 designed modem
Fax/modem speed: 56Kbps data/14.4Kbps fax
Description: 10/100 Ethernet
Interface: Ethernet-Integrated
Network on Planar: Yes

Optical Devices
Optical Drive Type: CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo
Speed: 24X/24X/24X/8X Max

Expansion options
Planar Expansion Port Type: 3-1 digital media reader, 4 USB 2.0, External Display (VGA), External Microphone/Line-In, Headphone/Line out, IEEE 1394, RJ-11, RJ-45, S-Video out

Processor
Processor internal clock speed: 1.50 GHz
Processor Type: Intel Celeron M Processor 370
Internal L2 Cache Size: 1 MB
Front side bus: 400 MHz

http://www-604.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=4611686018425106763&storeId=10000036&langId=36&categoryId=4611686018425042854&dualCurrId=1000089&catalogId=-36

First of all, what are the primary functions of these lappys going to be? those to are very weak, id suggest centrino......but semprons are ok i guess. imo, id pick the compaq outa those 2 you have listed ;)

i would say the compaq

i would say look for a 2nd hand p4 lappy not a new shitty celery/sempron

$1000 each for lappy or $1000 total?!

and yeah what purpose? email/im/internet/homework/movies etc?

well the one for me will be used while studying. I'm going to be doing a course in Network Development and Computer Systems Engineering. I will be needing something that will be able to keep up with me, as i am wanting to specilise in network security so i will be hacking into network (with the owners permission of course) along with capturing packets and analisis. My girlfrind will however only be really needing one to word process and email and stuff like that.

and thats $1000 each

porn streaming? I LIKE THAT IDEA.

go the compaq, even better, go the compaq and get it from meeeee!

Don't get the new acer, My dumb mate got one, has had it for about a week, And its dead....

or hp for a celery $949 base package (u would up to a 3 or 4 yr warranty tho)
hp.com.au (http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/au/en/sm/WF06a/1090709-1124051-1124051-1124051-12434656-12387626.html)

and for urself u wouldnt wanna get a lil celery, the amd nx6325 from hp is a steal atm - i only like to mention business notebooks coz they pwn
hp.com.au (http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/au/en/sm/WF06a/1090709-1124051-1124051-1124051-12434656-12433944.html)

my 2c :)

^^ I agree

i've found this website www.greysonline.com.au which auction off laptops and all sorts of stuff and i'm looking at biding on either of these 2

1. http://www.graysonline.com.au/lot.asp?LOT_ID=977786

or

2. http://www.graysonline.com.au/lot.asp?LOT_ID=977792

what do you think?

I'm always wary of 'reconditioned' laptops, I've been stung, with a DOA, that was guanteed working. It turned into a massive catfight over if they were going to repair it.
(Luckily it seems I know more about contract law than they did at the time)
I can't remember which group it was, I don't think it was Grays thou.

Having said that, I've had another unit that there has been no problem with.

i just purchased a Dell 9400

17in With truelife
core duo 1.8ghz
1 gig of ram
80GB sata
X1400 (128 dedicated)

cost me around $1700, bargin :D

I'm after something a lil small then that and cheaper.