My motherboard on my laptop died :( Sad day indeed.....
Off of NewEgg I found for less then 1100.00
Brand ASUS
Model N61JQ-X1
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU Type Intel Core i7 720QM(1.6GHz)
Screen 16"
Memory Size 4GB DDR3
Hard Disk 320GB
Optical Drive DVD Super Multi
Graphics Card ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730
Video Memory 1GB DDR3 VRAM
Communication Gigabit LAN and WLAN
Card slot 1 x Express Card
Dimensions 15.40" x 10.60" x 1.20" - 1.50"
Weight 6.50 lbs.
That being said, my main reason I wont buy a really expensive laptop is I hardly get to game on it anymore anyway.
This seems like a halfway decent set up, anyone have any advice or other options I should look at?

Do they give you any options on the video card or is it just a straight sale rather than a manufacture & ship? It looks pretty good overall but the video chip is the thing that you'll see performance problems with first
Get any discounts through work or anywhere like car insurance places (one here has a deal with dell where you get something like 8% off)?

The 5730 is a pretty good laptop video card, capable of running all titles to date. With a Core i7 processor that is a very decent setup.

Straight sale... gonna check out their own website and see if I can configure it more..
I get 20% off tough books... but... the best configuration is
CF-31ATXAX2M
Status:
CURRENT
MSRP:
$5,054
Description: Windows XP Pro SP2 (with Win 7 COA),
Intel Core i5‑520M 2.40GHz,
13.1" XGA Touchscreen LCD,
160GB Shock‑mounted HDD,
2GB, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, UL1604 Hazardous Locations, TPM 1.2, Toughbook Preferred

Whats UL1604 Hazardous Locations? EM shielding?
Sounds like it'd be a good one to have in a tank but not as good to actually play games on
That first one does sound pretty damned good, I'd probably suggest getting that if you can't mod it but modding it will of course mean it'll have to be built then shipped, could take a few weeks more

Good idea, never tried fixing a laptop, but it beats just tossing it.

I fixed mine and only managed to break 2 things in the process, unless yours is a steel smelter like mine I doubt the plastic cable clips will have fallen apart. bit of patience and a walkthrough disassembly video or 2 to show you the insides will get it up & running again

For Spark Ignition, warning markings, drop testing, and the temp rating.
basically says this "son of a bitch will run anywhere, not blow up, and can be dropped at like 10 feet with no problem" not that you would drop them on purpose
Think I might wait awhile (till I get more impatient), my desktop is still working and I'll get a new mobo and try fixing the laptop first.... and if i fail at that... still have time I guess what's a couple of weeks of waiting anyway :)

I think with the 5730 you've hit the sweet spot for laptops. Yes yes, they can't be upgraded but I think that like the 8800 was back in 2006, the mid-end ATI cards like this have great value and performance. Just buy a new laptop, it's worth it.