Actually, a decent laptop with a DVD drive is cheaper. A Compaq 730US is 1099 at Circuit City. With the rebates u could get an additional warranty and still get it cheaper than the Panny DVD player. Hell, even buy an extra battery so then youd be able to watch LOTR maybe two times. The laptop is definitely better, if I had the money id definitely reconsider the laptop over the portable DVD player. Whatever floats your boat...