help buying 64 bit

I decided to post this here on Channel9, because with other forums I've asked for help, I've got barely any useful response, and asking on places like IRC I either get people who can't help or people who are in a way cynical and aren't giving me useful advice. I know a lot of people here should be able to give me the advice I need, and I would be grateful

My situation right now is that my notebook had broken down, and for the last few months I've been using an old 233mhz computer and its been slow since its been running Windows 2000 (which I had reasons for installing).

I need to soon buy a new notebook. Essentially I will use it as a desktop replacement, so I'm not worried about the size or battery life. I need to move it around places, like to a library (where often I scan pictures and use Photoshop or other graphics programs), or with me when I travel, or return to my university, and maybe other places, but using it unplugged is not a concern.

I won't be having a desktop computer in addition, so I've been looking at buying a notebook that will satisfy me for several years,  past the debut of Longhorn and Blackcomb. Which means I first am considering getting a 64-bit processor, which limits me to certain brands, HP/Compaq and Acer.

Of course, right now I wouldn't be able to get all of the 64-bit drivers for my peripherals (especially with Canon stating that XP x64 is a 'nonstandard OS' that they don't plan on releasing drivers for until its adopted widely), so wouldn't install XP x64 yet.

One thing I was looking at is how I can compare performance by say a Pentium 4 with 3.2ghz and a Athlon 64 that measures at 2.2ghz. Benchmarks show they are comparable, so I'm not so worried about the performance I would get in a 64-bit notebook anymore.

I was also considering whether to get an Athlon 64 or a Turion 64 processor. Obviously the Turion 64 allows for a smaller notebook with less power use, but I was wondering what advantages the Athlon 64 would have over a Turion 64; are there benchmarks that compare the two? With Athlon 64 would a worry be the computer overheating and causing the system to be damaged?

My notebook which broke down was a Compaq Presario with an AMD processor, and one of the reoccurent problems was with the power, which would cause my notebook to shut off (smoke from the back), and eventually fry the logic chip. All of the Compaq notebooks me and my brother have had have had problems and have needed to be returned many times for service, and many people have told me negative things about Compaq, so I'm thinking of not buying a Compaq, but instead from the HP notebook division. Is the problem with Compaq notebooks still there? And even so, should I expect power problems from overheating with any notebook with a processor not tailored to mobile use, or is there some technology in modern notebooks to prevent this?

One thing I've also been needing help with, is that I want a notebook that will have video RAM to meet the recommended requirements for Longhorn (and other programs including games).While Pentium 4 notebooks I've seen up to 256mb video RAM (which I heard is the recommendation), with Athlon 64 I've only seen it up to 128mb dedicated memory and 128mb shared system memory. Why is this, and will this be as satisfactory? I'm also guessing that Turion 64 processors ship with computers that have less video RAM, so wouldn't meet my desires?

If anyone  has advice on any of these issues it would be appreciated. Also, if there is any line of notebooks or new technology for notebooks that will be on the market soon, please advise. I know that there should be more powerful notebooks come 2006, but I don't think I will want to wait that long. In lieu of that I just want to get a notebook that will satisfy me and still do well with new software in the next several years.

thanks,

brian.shapiro