[redpoint5]

The Intel integrated graphics are getting quite good. If battery run time is important at all to you, I'd get a laptop that uses the integrated Intel graphics instead of a video card made by Nvidia or ATI. Those drastically reduce battery run time.

I'm getting 10 hrs of battery run time with light use on my laptop using an extended battery and Intel integrated graphics. This 4 year old laptop can play Left 4 Dead 2 ok. I bought it for $700 when it was the latest and greatest, but I had been keeping an eye on Slickdeals. Generally I don't like to spend more than $500 on a laptop, but considering I use it every single day for 4 years, I'm willing to spend a little more.

I would avoid consumer grade laptops that you would find in Best Buy. They just aren't built to last. I suppose this is OK if you plan to replace it every 2 years anyhow.

As for your attorney suggesting that you repossess the girlfriend's car; that was clearly bad advice. If she was making payments, then the car is hers to do what she wants with it, including operating it illegally. Maybe you were just trying to protect her, but sometimes people just have to learn lessons the hard way.