i said i wanted a computer...

and instead i got a $600 check from the parents.  don't get me wrong, my desktop is ok, but for awhile i've really craved (1) the portability of a laptop, and (2) ridiculously good processor/amounts of memory to do my research without periodically freezing the stupid machine from making it do too much at once.

when i started looking up prices on what i wanted with my mom this afternoon, i came up with this HP dv6000t which seems to have pretty good reviews just about everywhere... and sure it says starting at $569.99 on the website, BUT when you give it the best processor and tons of memory, you can jack it up to well more than that.  we finally settled on:

HP Pavilion dv6000t customizable Notebook PC
    * Genuine Windows XP Professional
    * Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7200 (2.0 GHz)
    * FREE Upgrade to 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen!!
    * Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 950 - Core
    * HP Imprint Finish + Microphone
    * 2048MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
    * 80GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
    * DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
    * 802.11b/g WLAN
    * Microsoft(R) Works/Money
    * System Recovery DVD w/Windows XP Professional

mom is paying, and i will pay her back for all but $600.  sooo excited, it's going to be a BEAUTIFUL machine. :)

the end.

p.s. merry christmas!