Which Notebook?

[SewerUrchin]

Ok, my father would like to buy a notebook computer for his fiancee for christmas. He knows nothing(neither do I) about the notebook world. He said that he would like these for minimum specs:

512mb-1gb memory
17" screen
lightweight(dont know how much though)
60gb HD
Wireless ready(decent wireless)

Ok, this is going to be a desktop replacement for a school teacher (high school and college). He would like for it to be decent enough that there is no need to upgrade any time soon(but it should be upgradable or already upgraded) He said about $3000 max, but less would be appreciated.

I dont know if AMD or Intel is the way to go (im an AMD guy for desktops). Ive heard good things about centrino technology.

Thx sharky guys

[Vengance_01]

Dell Inspiron 9300. Get it base line model, add 2GB of ram from newegg, a 7200 RPM, and a 7800GTX Go. Under 2K and best of all Its a killer laptop

[SewerUrchin]

He has now said something about having to get it at a department store(somewhere to pick it up in person) I dont know why.

Can I get this one somewhere or only online? If not then which one should he get her?

[Vengance_01]

See if there is a Dell store near you. There might be.

[kpxgq]

any 17" will meet your requirements except probably in the light weight department... no such thing as a lightweight 17"

[pudad]

Almost non-existant. Not too many 17" portables that are lite. I'd go with the 14" (1400x1050) Thinkpad T43. I basically take my laptop with me everywhere I go, so weight is pretty important to me. My next laptop is going to be either a thinkpad x32 or t43.