1) What is your budget?
1500-1700
2) What size notebook would you prefer?

a. Ultraportable; 12" screen or less
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen
C
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
30% gaming|50% CAD|10% FEA|10% Schoolwork
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
Mostly leave it at home, but some times take it out
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
NFS:MW, CS:S, Maplestory, Halo, Halo2 when it comes out, DoD:S,Elder Scrolls Oblivian
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Asus, Compal, Sager
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
2-4, doesnt really matter
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
dont mind at all
9) What country are you buying this in?
US
Screen Specifics

10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Wide
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?

Standard
a. XGA -1024x768 - Large and easy to read text + graphics icons, but you fit less stuff on the screen.
b. SXGA - 1400x1050 - Compromise resolution between XGA and UXGA.
c. UXGA - 1600x1200 - Very small text and graphics icons, you can fit lots of stuff on the screen.

Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
D or E
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
dont care
Build Quality and Design

13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
no, more important is the quality of design and little or no heat
14) How long do you want this laptop to last?
3-4 yrs
Notebook Components

15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB?
100 gb 7200 Rpm
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
DVD-RW




I have been looking at either the S96J, Z96J or the HEL80, I know that the quality on S96J is very good, but I'm not sure about the HEL80. I've heard that Compal made some very bad dells? Its imperative that I need Core Duo for my engineering classes.
Thanks
-Ham