[mdlug] Laptop Purchase Opinions Please

[Peter Bart]

Hi Guys,
        I think I've found the one I'm going to get but of course I have
a few questions. The link is here
<http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=348735#ts>.
The Toshiba P200/205 series appears to have the fingerprint reader
across the board, is this true? It has a Nvidia GeForce Go 7600 w/128MB
onboard memory, this is better than an ATI card? I remember a discusion
unrelated a while back where the merits of Nvidia vs ATI was discussed.
That series of laptops also appears to have bluetooth across the board
as well, as close as I can tell anyway.
The next closest one is here
<http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/cdetupdate.to?seg=&poid=387322&cartAction=Add&coid=-33575&selcmpcodpipcrt=&qtycrt=0&lincrt=0&hasXSells=true&parentPage=cdet&selxslpoidtab1pip=&selxslpoidtab2pip=&fromTab=tabcfg&COMP_CPU=CPU-0216&COMP_Operating+System=OS-0078&COMP_Office+Software=APP-0025&COMP_Memory=MEM-0066&COMP_LCD=LCD-0059&COMP_Graphics+Controller=GFX-0043&COMP_HDD=HDD-0037&COMP_2nd+HDD=HDD2-0004&COMP_Optical+Media=SBAY-0027&COMP_Mini-PCI%2FWiFi=COM1-0026&COMP_Bluetooth=COM2-0013&COMP_Speaker=SPKR-0004&COMP_Battery=BAT-0001>.
But that one has smaller HD, less memory, plain video card(could be good
except I'm trying to get as much video memory as possible for gaming).
        I have looked at specs and searched until my head is spinning. I
think the first one has bluetooth even though it's not listed but has
the bluetooth stack software included so then is the one of the software
utilities listed toshiba speak for fingerprint reader???
	This is going to be an xmas present and is going to be used primarily
for email, surfing, and some games as a home computer. Specifically SIMS
which I hope to install on XP using VMWare. The host os will be either
opensuse or Ubuntu. Anyone have any comments before I blow a wad? Yes, I
know that is a really big box for what it will be used for. Primarily
I'm after the large display, somewhat portable (the current box hasn't
left the property but she doesn't want a desktop), ability to play her
favorite SIMS games, and be able to hand this down in years to come. 

Best Regards,
-- 
Peter Bart <peter at petertheplumber.net>
http://petertheplumber.net