Hey all, thinking of getting an Inspiron 15R w/ATI video card

I am still looking for a laptop. I have looked at a 1545 15.6" screen at walmart and that is the size I want. 17" is a little too big, so I think the 15R will fit the bill, but I wanted to see if you've heard bad things about it or the ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD5470, 64-Bit, 1GB, DDR3 128Mx16x4pcs video card I want to go with to up the graphics capability. It will be used for HD movies from Netflix, and for web cam chatting, facebook/twitter, message boards, email, and editing home movies and uploading to youtube.

I haven't been by for many months, but I know you guys are the ones to ask about these things. I figure we can get this computer for around $700 bucks plus shipping and taxes. I know the 15R is on sale right now for $599 but the video card is $100 and I am thinking of adding a $29 dell wireless mouse. I want to go with Dell mostly because we have the PDA and can finance the system rather then having to save up and purchase one outright from Lenovo.

Another thing I am wondering, how the heck do you get recovery media? I was chatting with a Dell rep, and they said I would have to give the service tag to tech support and they would send a link to a file. So I am guessing it's an ISO file we have to burn to disc ourselves? Is that how it works with Windows 7 recovery media? When I got my Inspiron 560s desktop it had a vista disc. I am leery of the idea of burning a recovery disc because I am afraid something will go wrong or corrupt on the backup discs I'd make.

Anyway, Does this sound like a smart purchase and when is the best time to buy? Do they have black friday sales? I know they had some good sales last winter, and that is around the time I am thinking of adding it to our account. Close to Thanksgiving or Christmas. I appreciate your expertise on this and the other thing I have to ask is laptop carts, they and cooling pads are must have's right? As is a messenger bag? Big Lots has a cart for $20 and a $20 messenger bag which is cheaper then anything Dell has for bags. Big Lots also has cooling pads. So a trip there would cover my bases for those items.

ETA I want to ask how long should a Inspiron like this model last? ANd if I mainly am using it on the power cable how should I store the battery? Should I leave it in the machine? Or pull it out and store it in a desk drawer? We don't really have too many power outtages here but we do get them. Thanks in advance for your help!