College Lappy-E6400 or E6500?

I don't do CAD, but I can't stand Intel video card drivers, and I do want GPU power, I am a student at university in Computer Science.

I suggest the E6400 + Nvidia Quadro NVS 160M, with 1400x900 LED backlit screen.
Frankly 1400x900 is what I find a perfect resolution for a 14inch, or for anyone who need work space.

See this:
1280x1024 is a standard screen resolution for non wide-screen 17inch monitors on desktop. That is 1310720 pixels of work area
1440x900 is 1296000 pixel of work area. As you can see, if you enjoy a similar work space, 1440x900 is excellent. Personally, I find that if you have a hard time seeing the text on the screen at about an arm and half length from you, you should see an optometrist and wear glasses, and it's preaty big.

I would also go with the 9-cell battery if you prefer between 5 to 7 hours, safe, of battery life using the laptop as a desktop (without the CAD part, low/minimum brightness). Make that 5-6 hours if you plug a mouse. With of course wireless ON. Max battery life after a battery wear level of about a year is approximately 7 hours to 7 hours and half, with a university schedule. Remember that Lithium battery start with a high battery life when the battery is new, and then reduces, then stabilizes for some long time and then drop once again to flat.

Backlit keyboard is a must, I find. I think it's the best invention since slice bread.. but that is just me (not to mention that the keyboard was reported to be quieter than the non-backlit one).


Of course, ensure that you select Vista 64-bit with your system if you will be ordering it soon (else Windows 7 64-bit after October), so that you get the free WIn7 upgrade in 64-bit as well.
As anyone who seeks power, especially CAD, 64-bit OS (to use the 64-bit CPU, and the full 4GB or more of RAM (and not ~3.2GB)) is critical.