Yes, my HP kinda died. Sort of. I was in the middle of something on Sunday, and it just froze. Shut it off. Restart. Windows would not restart. Tried all sorts of things. No dice. Sigh. I did manage to rescue all the data except the downloads folder and the Firefox bookmarks folder, which I am in the process of getting using a special cable hooked to the hard drive and my really old (and slow) Averatec. Most everything is moved. I am really hoping that all the movies that came from Digital Copies was able to be just moved. Let me see, as it looks like the folder with my iTunes stuff is done moving……and yes, the movies will play!!!!!! A few songs have issues, no prob, can fix this. Whew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What did I get? After much agonizing between a few laptops, I purchased a Samsung R580. Intel I5 processor, 500gb HD (not that I need it), 4gb ram, built in BluRay, plays at 720p on laptop, output through HDMI in full 1080p, and a built in Nvidia graphics card, with awesome speakers. Louder than my last one, though, still not super duper loud, but, loud enough, and sound excellent. If I want booming, I’ll hook up my Labtec’s. Wherever the hell they plug in to 
Multi-gesture scroll pad, though I mostly use a mouse. I get carpel tunnel in my pinky if I use the pad too much. One nice thing the HP had was a remote for watching videos and playing music (which I almost never used.) Eh. Whatever. This thing is FAST! Just have to get used to the keypad a bit. A bit different, and a bit dark. Also, no dedicated buttons, have to use the function key and the function buttons. I like that it does have a real keypad on it.
Just an FYI, for those looking who want a good laptop at a good price, check out this HP, and get them quick. A special buy at Best Buy, I3 processor and the HD rotates at 720rpm.
Now to give the BluRay a quick try!
