Regarding the Turion (AMD's 64-bit mobile dual-core answer to Intel's centrino core duo), you might want to have a read of this review:
http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/08/...ved/index.html
As you say, you get what you pay for.
I have used AMD CPUs in 2 of my 3 home PCs over the last 6 years and found them pretty good. Certainly cheaper for the same performance as intel, although I have a nagging feeling that they are not quite 100% compatible with the Wintel world!
SD