Wrapping my brain around the difference in PC brands.

[daveT]

Shopping and browsing around for a new laptop. I travel a bit, so a desktop is out of the question if I want to work. The point is rather moot, but I know it is going to be brought up.

One PC costs say %600 brand new and another cost say $1500 brand new.

The components seem to be the same:

Duo Core/ Athlon 64
1 gig of ram
etc.

It seems that the more expensive ones have a more expensive Vista version, video card, and basically stuff I don't need, including 150g memory. Right now, I have 40g and use about 25%.

So, what is the difference between Acer, Dell, Gateway, Sony, HP, etc? If all of the components are the same, why does a 17" wide-screen Gateway cost less than a Sony 14" when they have identical specs of Duo Core with a 1G memory?

Are there other things I should be paying attention to when I am deciding which of 40-odd computers? What is a better brand to choose if they are similar priced? Is it all about the MoBo?

I presently own a Compaq, and I am comfortable using it. I used to own a Toshiba, and while I didn't mind it, it crashed on my pretty quick.