[sdplayerb]

thanks for the help.
I am a sucker and did go with a dell.
i found a $500 coupon online plus they give a $200 gift card, so i am basically playing $900 for a 17 inch with 1900x1200 and upgrades at basically every level.
if it sucks, i will return it though.
i may nuke the vista and switch to xp. i'll figure that out in the first week.

thanks again

SD