Dual core processors

I am purchasing a laptop for mainly business use. I will be using it for e-mails and word processing and internet surfing. I also will use it for displaying digital photos and possibly could get into some power point and publishing stuff. I am not real computer literate, just enough to make me dangerous. I am wondering if a dual core processor is good for my applications. I am looking at the Dell E1505. I run Windows XP professional. What should I spend my money on? Memory, hard drive, etc. Any help would be appreciated, and money is not a problem
Swandog

 

You can probably get by with a single core. Either a Core solo or and AMD. If you do a lot of multi tasking the 2 cores will be help full. I have a HP DV5000t with dual core because I use the same apps you do but I always have at least 5 or six open and running. You would be better to spend money on a hard drive and memory. If you store a lot of pictures on it get the biggest hard drive you can afford so you ave plenty of room. For ram I would recomend a 1 GB stick. That way you can upgrade later with just another stick if you want to.

 

Dual core processors are more cost effective when you are running many seperate tasks. You many also want to check out HP's Bussiness line of notebooks. I have an HP business PocketPC, and I am very impressed with the overall quality of the device.
As for what you want to buy, I would divide it with the memory and the processor. Any where from 512 MB - 1 GB of RAM is plenty, and the faster the processor the better. A standard speed Hard drive (5400 RPM) should be just fine, and will get slightly better battery power than a faster one.