the most important thing is get more than 512/768 mb ram, 1gb and you are fine everything below it just plain sucks.

So at this point I'm looking at 2ghz+ processor, a gig of ram (expandable for TBC), 256meg minimum graphics card, 17 inch screen (1920x1200 rez), 80g hd, and wireless that works.

Looks like there are lots of options...

But can I get it for less than 2 grand?

We'll have to find out.

I got an Asus W3J. 14 inch wide screen monitor, duo T2500 processor, 2 gigs of ram, and a radeon x1600 graphics card for $1700. So far I love it, runs wow silky smooth. Runs everything else just as well too. Plays BF2142 way better than my 3 year old desktop does.