u don't need a GB to run sql server, unless is an dedicated sql server serve 100+ clients, but i doubt u do this in ur notebook right.

I use celeron M with 256MB ram + a 40GB Hdd is more than enough
for a complete install of Visual Studio .NET + MSDN, Java J2EE, SQL server 2000, MySQL, Oracle and IIS.

btw, i'm using compaq 2240AP with price less than RM3000