Pluses include: faster processor and cache, more memory, better graphics (both screen and graphics card), read and write for both DVD and CD formats. Minuses: standard hard disk speed (5400RPM), standard integrated audio, paying more for less essential features, like enhanced graphics. If you spend more money, ideally the priorities would be for that money to go toward audio-related features, such as faster processor and cache, more memory, faster disk drive, and better audio. This latest configuration improves on two of those four categories. And it also includes better graphics, though better graphics isn't essential for audio recording so you're paying extra for these graphics enhancements. However, it's hard to find a laptop with faster hard drive and without some of these other features. I looked around a bit at the egghead site and none jumped out at me. A 5400 RPM hard drive can meet your needs even with a higher number of tracks, such as 12 or 16 tracks, particularly if you have a faster processor and cache and sufficient memory - improved processor and memory can help reduce load on the hard drive. Also, if you're recording in standard CD format (referred to as 16bit wordlength at 44.1kHz resolution) rather than the often-hyped 24bit, 96kHz format, you'll be OK. Standard audio isn't an issue since you'll likely use a third-party interface for your guitar and mic inputs, and one which is designed for recording audio with a computer. An alternative, and one that might save a couple hundred bucks, is to choose the previous laptop but upgrade its processor and its memory to the same processor and memory as this model (assuming Newegg lets you configure it as such). Try to get an Intel Core 2 Duo processor. If not, the next choice would be an Intel Core Duo processor. This shouldn't be a problem for under $1000. The laptop you emailed has an Intel Core 2 Duo which is good. Reason? I haven't checked in awhile, but Intel processors used to have better floating point processing compared to lower cost processors like AMD, etc. Not a big deal for most computer users and never really even noticeable. However, multimedia stuff like music recording and editing puts higher demand on floating point processing... OK, now I'm really geeking out. Most laptops/notebooks have two memory 'slots', or places where memory can be installed. If you get 1GB memory (I wouldn't go any less), try to request a single 'DIMM' (pronounced "DIM") with 1GB rather than the default two DIMMs of 512MB. It costs a little more, but it's easier and less costly to add memory later if you decide to, by leaving one of the two memory 'slots' open for later usage. Most laptops are widescreen format, but most software doesn't support widescreen. Not much you can do about that, but sometimes it's annoying. In time everything will become widescreen, including TV. I'm guessing the screen size you're looking at is either 14.1" or 15". 14" laptops are lighter and hence more portable, but 15" screens tend to provide easier viewing. If you're not sure, a quick stop at Office Depot, Best Buy, etc. can give you a chance to look at both sizes, even if the computer model you're looking to buy isn't there - screen sizes are fairly standard, but there are varying dimensions (i.e. 12", 14", 15"). If you plan to view DVDs, be sure to get a DVD/CD-RW combo drive. The 'DVD' letters refer to the ability to play DVDs, the CD-RW letters refer to the ability to both read and write CDs. I'm assuming you'll want to write CDs - any musician would! There's also the option of DVD+-R/CD-RW (or something similar) combo drives. Same as above, but allows you to write DVDs (not sure why they don't use the letter 'W' for writing DVDs, and instead use plus signs (+) or minus signs (-) followed by the letter 'R'). May not be something you need and it costs slightly more but I thought I'd mention it. Most laptops have hard drives with a speed of 5400 RPMs (revolutions per minute). Higher end ones have faster speeds of 7200RPMs. I doubt you'll find a laptop with a 7200RPM for under $1,000, but for tracking music a 7200RPM would be nice. However, as long as you don't expect to use the laptop for doing 12, 16, or 24 track stuff you should be fine. You shouldn't have problems with 2,4, or 8 track stuff. And one last thought - computers are general purpose machines and not specifically designed for tracking and mixing audio. I mention this because it helps to be patient when learning to use one for recording since they can be finicky, unlike a machine designed for recording, known as a 'recorder'. Duh. You're probably used to working with computers, so it should be fairly straight-forward. If you've decided on a hardware/software interface for tracking music, it may be good to verify the compatibility. Shouldn't be an issue, since most popular hardware interfaces (for connecting guitar chords and/or mic chords) accommodate USB and most software programs (i.e. Live6 mentioned below) recommend at least 1GHz processor and 512KB RAM. Rarely does a 'new' laptop not meet these specs.
