Gotta buy a new lap top....thoughts?

[JThiessen]

My 5+ yr old laptop just went T.U., and I need to procure a fairly new one soon. I've done the Mac-vs-Everyone else evaluation in my head, and basically decided that since all of my data (Quicken, Turbo-tax, email, etc) are in windows format (correct terminology?), Windows based would be more beneficial to me. Not only that, but I still can't justify spending that much more on what looks to be an equivelent performing system.

I use the pc for the normal bill paying/accounting, email, porn surfing, blah, de blah...I'm not a gamer (have a pS3 for that). Might end up using it for CAD at some point also (and to run my CNC router).

So I've spec'd out a Dell XPS right at about 1800 (2.0/2.9, 1T, 1080p display with 3D, blueray writer, etc) that I feel good about spec wise. My concern is the heat generation of this unit, and the usability of this machine as a part time home theater pc. I am bulding a home theater in my basement, and I'd like to pursue interactive pc on my screen at some point.

What I'm uncertain of is if these video systems are worth getting on a laptop. Is it going to end up being unusable, or such. I dont need the 3D display on the PC, but I think having that processor system on the machine would help when I need to either write a blue ray disc, or send video to my projector.....might be wrong....

Also, part of my thinking is that I will be able to get my old laptop to power up so that I can get the old data off of it......I'd be screwed if I cant.