I usually install these packages after I install Debian/KDE in a Laptop.
apt-get install ...
kdebase k3b gcc
vlc xine-ui mplayer xmms amarok
bzip2 ark
build-essentials binutils util-linux module-init-tools xfsprogs pcmcia-cs procps oprofile
kde-guidance klaptopdaemon laptop-mode-tools
It is «build-essential, without the final s.
good list!