Help me decide - laptop

Jake'sGran

This might be moved but here goes.
I have decided I must have a laptop because of problems with my desktop
computer and the thought of not being able to do my banking really worries me.

What is dual core?
Is there a lot of difference between Pentium and Celeron?
I don't want to play games, just surf, emails, forums and banking.
I'd like to watch CD films. Would a re-writer be useful for someone like me?
I've had this Dell for seven years and as far as I can tell have only used 1/3rd of the RAM. So, do I need 2 MGb or is 1 fine for me?.
The one I am on has only .256
Will it be easy to get used to Vista?
Can't think of anything else except that I think I will buy a Dell. Budget
around £350.

Appreciate any comments, thank you.

geewhiz

Basic answers below!

What is dual core?

Two processors instead of one so much faster.

Is there a lot of difference between Pentium and Celeron?

Massive difference if using for games / video etc but not much for browsing the net, emails etc

I'd like to watch CD films. Would a re-writer be useful for someone like me?

Do you mean DVD's, you probably won't find a laptop without a dvd writer and the price difference would be minimal so best to have one than not

I've had this Dell for seven years and as far as I can tell have only used 1/3rd of the RAM. So, do I need 2 MGb or is 1 fine for me?.

If you buy Vista then 2Gb is essential

Will it be easy to get used to Vista?

Yes, very easy and it doesn't make much sense to buy XP as it will be out of support with no more updates, unlike Vista which will have constant security updates etc released.