CPU is a X2 way quicker than the HP PC. Does the HD play a part in buffering the output of the DVD?
The HD is already on my hit-list. Slow and noisy, WD SATA and 8m cash I think. I'm intending to get a Barracuda 750 with 32 cache, but was going to wait till I return from the UK.
I don't want to keep running the laptop, which plays things perfectly but costs if it goes TU...and I need it in the UK, so spending now might be justified.