check this out
The i5 should serve you well..
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...6%28ME%29.aspx
Acer Aspire Timeline 3820TG-6829 w/ Core i5-480M
4GB, 500GB
13.3in HD
Radeon HD 6550M
Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit
$769.99
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...0%28ME%29.aspx
this is almost the same as the previous one but $829.99 both are 13"
you want something with i5 since you said your going to be running lots of programs at once..