After giving up on my HP, I got this 15.5" Sony Vaio from Best Buy for 750$ total. I initially had Lenovo ThinkPad value series in mind but later found out the it doesn't support Virtualization Technologies, so had to switch to this one.
Some of its major features are:
- Intel® Core™2 Duo processor T6600
- 4GB PC2-6400 DDR2 memory
- Blu-ray Disc-enabled DVD±RW/CD-RW drive
- 15.5" LCD widescreen display
- 320GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)
- Built-in MOTION EYE webcam
So far its running good am pretty satisfied. For more info post comment.