Researching laptops

I have been researching laptops, and have come to you with questions. You're not trying to sell me one, and I trust you.

I want one that is as lightweight as I can have, considering my needs. I will be using MS Office, including Word, Excel, Publisher, and PowerPoint. I will also use it to edit photos with Photoshop, along with using it as another backup for my photos. I'll want Internet access too. NO gaming.

I have looked at one that has a Windows XP Pro downgrade, and that really pleases me, since I have avoided Vista and its issues this long. Would that be a mistake on my part at this date?

This HP laptop has an Intel Core 2 Duo processor. Is that adequate for my needs? It also has a 250 GB HD and 3 GB memory (expandable to 8). Oh - and the speed is 1.8 GHz.

It weighs 5.8 pounds. That seems a little heavy to me. Is it?

It has a 15.4 inch screen, with a digital media reader, bluetooth, and lithium battery. Also DVD - CD-RW drive and 4 USB 2.0 ports.

It is priced at $899 (without the software I require) and looks good to me. Sorta.

Do you have any advice - both positive and negative? I am not locked in to this laptop, so if you have any other suggestions I am open to them.

My PC is an HP, and I have been pleased with it. Does HP make good laptops?

So many questions!! So sorry...

TIA, CJ