I'm looking to buy a laptop mainly for using Word, surfing the net, playing DVDs, and playing Civ. I don't play graphics intensive games (mainly Civ), but this laptop has a Radeon 128mb 9600 and a LCD 15.4" wide screen SXGA+ with a native resolution of 1680x1050. I read that Civ plays at 1024x768. Will the native resolution not be compatible with Civ, or if I change the resolution to 1024x768, will Civ look blurry or unplayable?

Also, let's say I use the 1680x1050 to play DVDs, but change the resolution to 1024x768 to not only play Civ but surf the web and use Word. Will I not be able to do this comfortably?

Well, civ will change to 1024 x 768 automatically when you load it up, unless you tell it not to in the .ini file. And no, it won't look blurry, and you can stay in 1680 x 1050 to play DVDs and such as well. :) As long as your laptop fits Civ's requirements, it'll work!