Should I consider this laptop?

[NM130]

I would like to get a laptop, but I am not sure. I have been reccomended the MS-1036, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to buy it anytime soon... Anyways, here's what I would like:

MS-1036 BareboneS-1036 Barebone

AMD Turion MT37 (2.0 GHz, 1MB L2 Cache)

2 x Corsair 512 MB PC3200 CL2.5 RAM

Toshiba 100GB 16MB Buffer ATA-6 HD

MSI MP54GBT2 Mini PCI Bluetooth & IEEE 802.11b/g

Logitech MX518 Optical Mouse

Then, I'd like to get a case, maybe this Targus (I have a Targus backpack, very pleased with it):
Targus 17" CityGear Miami Messenger Notebook Case

My questions:

1. Any reccomendations?

2. How good would this laptop be in June (this year)? I might not be able to get until then.

3. How good is the X700 Mobility 256 MB? How well will it fare with next-gen games?

4. What battery life can I expect for simple use (web browsing, word processing, etc.) and gaming?

Thanks in advance

 

[fbrdphreak]

My main concern in this machine would be MSI's quality. A lot of people in our forums (http://www.laptoplogic.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=40) are having trouble with the MS-1029 and MS-1013. From the numerous problems that I read, I personally have trouble recommending MSI machines for the potential hassle. Even when we did our DIY notebook article with the MS-1029, the optical drive died and it took quite a while to get a replacement through MSI.

Otherwise those specs are great, the hard drive rocks. I'd get 1x1GB of RAM first, so you have open slots.

If you're not buying till June then wait. AMD's new mobile platform should be out by then and Intel's Merom shouldn't be far behind. Why spend like $1500 on a single core laptop when you can get a dual core? And yes, the dual core laptops will have better battery life (Assuming AMD doesn't drop the ball).

X700 256MB is good for decent FPS in HL2 up to like SXGA+/WSXGA+ resolutions. FEAR you're probly stuck at XGA/WXGA with low settings. Same for COD2 & Quake 4.

For that machine, ~3 hours give or take 30 min.

 

[NM130]

Will AMD's dual core mobile processors be much more expensive than the single cores out right now? How good a GPU will I be able to get in June for about the same price?

Oh, and how difficult is it to mount a laptop from a barebone? Do I need other accessories (eg. thermal paste, etc.)?

EDIT: Oh, and should I get a sound card(PCMCIA Audigy 2 ZS)? Are the speakers good enough to justify it? I'm also going to use a pair of PX100's, and I am pretty obsessive about sound quality...

 

[NM130]

Bump