I've narrowed down my choices to these three:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Toshiba-Satellite-P305D-S8828-17-Widescreen-Laptop-P305DS8828/sem/rpsm/oid/215097/catOid/-12963/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do#proddesc

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8898348&type=product&id=1212192622613

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8878887&type=product&id=1210379318796

I'm not entirely sure how the Intel (link 2) compares to the AMDs and the graphics cards don't seem to be worthy of a spot in a Tom's Hardware Chart.

I'm not sure if the 64bit version of Vista (link 3) is a pro or a con. I've read multiple articles that state the 64bit version is neutral / worse for the average user but these articles may be out of date.

I also thought the 4GB RAM (link 3) would be a big advantage if they were run in dual channel mode but as a poster pointed out, it is not stated anywhere that the laptop supports dual channel mode.

The laptop would be used for general work, browsing, playing non-cutting edge games and watching downloads and an occassional DVD. I hope to use it for around 5 years.

Suggestions and reasons why would be greatly appreciated.

Agreed. 

Personally I favor the HP in your third link over the Compaq. As I see it, for a mere $50 more you get a larger HD (250GB vs. 200GB), 33% more memory (4GB vs. 3GB), a better processor IMO (Turion TL-60 dual-core vs. Pentium dual-core), and a better wireless solution (wireless N installed in the HP only). HP and Compaq are joined-at-the-hip, DanceMonkeyBoy (same company)! If you can, go to the store and view the two side-by-side.

 Thanks for the replies so far.

Another thing I was wondering about was the difference between the AMD Turion 64 X2 RM-70 (link 1) and the TL-60 (link 3). They appear to have very similar stats apart from the RM-70 having a bus speed of 3600MHz while the TL-60 is only 1600MHz. If all other things are equal shouldn't the RM-70 be far superior? Am I missing something?

DanceMonkeyBoy:

Another thing I was wondering about was the difference between the AMD Turion 64 X2 RM-70 (link 1) and the TL-60 (link 3). They appear to have very similar stats apart from the RM-70 having a bus speed of 3600MHz while the TL-60 is only 1600MHz.

The difference in bus speed has me wondering about the RAM speed, but I wasn't able to obtain that info on the HP laptop. Two different video cards cards are used (NVIDIA GeForce 7150M in the HP and a Radeon 3100 in the Toshiba) and I have no idea which is superior. Anyone here have knowledge of which video card is better? The wireless solution in the HP is better as it can connect via wireless N (the Toshiba cannot).

These three laptops that you are considering are WAY superior to my own laptop that I just installed Vista on, and I LOVE it. Whichever of these you choose I am sure you will not be disappointed, especially at those prices. I applaud you, DanceMonkeyBoy, for taking the time to do your homework before buying! 

I'll agree with Super Dave on the HP, for the same reasons he stated. I looked into the two Turion chips as I was not familiar with the RM family of Turions. It seems that this chip is the only one in that family (odd). The specs seem similar but I have a hunch the TL is a better chip. The Circuit City site says 3600MHz FSB, but AMD's site says 2000MHz. The same as the TL according to the AMD site. As for the Toshiba, My sister got a Toshiba laptop last year and the many problems with it and Toshiba's lousy support of those issues has turned me off Toshiba for good. (Or until they prove to me otherwise.)