Also look at Toshiba. They have a good amount of features for a fair price. I use one, and have never had any issues. All laptops get hot, it's just their nature. Find a range of models that have all the features you need, and then see which out of them offer the best battery life. I also have a 120w inverter in my car, got it from CompUSA for $40. Works great for my laptop, and no strain on the car's electrical system.