I need to buy a laptop by years end since my current Gateway will be six years old by then and need to be replaced. It's slow, has little space left, and new programs and peripherals are a hassle to set up and use with it.

I mainly want and use a computer for internet, as well as light photo editing and word processing. No gaming, music, movies, or high end resource intensive applications.

I do not want to spend more than $2,000 but that is my absolute limit. Ideally, the cost wouldn't be over $1,500 but that's probably the minimum I'd end up spending.

Dell is out right off the bat, and I'm unsure of Gateway although I haven't had any real problems with mine.

I'd appreciate your recommendations as far as brands and or features that would be beneficial.

Dell Inspiron 600m or 700m.

Comparison charts located at

www1.us.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/compare_inspn?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~tab=2