What do you think about HP dv5 1134?

[The_Square]

I'm looking for a new laptop, around the AUD$1500 mark. The dv5 1134 has:
P8600 2.4GHz cpu (3MB L2 cache),
4GB of DDR2 RAM (2 slots),
a 320GB HDD (only 5400rpm though),
a GeForce 9600M GT card (512MB)
4 USB 2.0 ports (one shared?)

I'm going to be using it as a mobile workstation (normal apps etc) but also for visualising molecular models (several thousand atoms) and for the occasional bit of modelling work, depending on how memory-intensive the codes I want to run are (these jobs could run for several days).

It comes with Vista Home Premium, but I might take that off and put XP on instead.

While the box is for work, it would also be nice to know how it stacks up for games like Spore, Diablo 3, Starcraft 2 (if it ever makes it out) - and other RTS games.

Also; does anyone know just how glossy the screen is? I don't want a screen that will reflect the fluorescent tubes in my office into my eyes, or make it so I can't see the screen properly outside.

There is also an option of picking up a 12 cell battery instead of the normal 6 cell one - does it take up much more space/weigh a ton more? What kind of battery life can I expect from either?

Thanks

 

[Maziar]

Its a good laptop,it can handle those games @ med settings