been doing some searching...but I didn't find anything to get excited about
but a few guidelines to aid you:
1:get a laptop with dedicated video memory (at least 128MB, 256MB even better)
this will definately help when you're trying to run resource-intensive programs like premiere
2: for the processor, I'd choose in this order. Core2 duo, Core2, Core duo (centrino duo), Core solo (centrino), Turion 64, Turion 64 X2, Sempron.
Avoid Pentium 4, Pentium M and Celeron M
3: memory, at least 512MB (1GB reccomended). Depending on how much memory you udse now you might want to go to 2GB, but 1GB should be fine.
DDR2 is becoming better...but you still need pc5400 before you see any improvement over DDR. So go with what's cheapest
4: last I heard, you need xp professional to have the OS recognize dual-core cpus...but this could have changed (though I doubt it)
5: Hard drive, bigger is nice...but this is where you can cut corners. My 80GB drive does fine. But if you can, look for one that spins at 5400 rpm.
faster spin = lower read/write latency for the drive.
(can improve program/system startup)
with that said,
here's a possibility
(click customize and choose XP home, core solo T1350, 256MB Nvidia GeForece Go 7400 and 1GB DDR2, system recover cd for XP home...and all the free upgrades)
total comes to $863.99 after rebates
as for the external HDD, if you don't like the prices, you can always get an internal drive and an external drive enclosure for it.
Western Digital, Seagate aand Maxor are all good brands (though I am partial to WD)
I'd look into this one but here's the link to all of them:
http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/SubCa ... tegory=414
some hard cases...not sure about water resistance