Mine's a 17'' Dell Inspiron and I love it (got it about 1 year ago).

I recommend finding a screen coating that isn't reflective. For some reason it's really trendy to have mirror-like reflection on laptop screens, but all you'll see is your own face in your screen. Find a matte screen if you can, though they were rare a year ago and getting rarer.

I don't know how you feel about Vista, but it's easily the worst thing about my laptop. I'm in sore need of a new desktop but am trying to hold out for Windows 7 before getting the new machine. I suggest XP even though it makes me cringe to suggest an OS that's like 8+ years old now.

AlienWare(its a company owned by Dell and it would provide you the best of the best if you are looking for the highest specs with best customization, online shipping and services) also never forget Dell and Gateway. I don't recommend HP nor Sony they might be good with playing media but HP crashes a lot because of their third party applications and Sony is pricey if you want the desired specs it will really cost you. I personally have a lot of experience with HP's and I still dont recommend it. Goodluck!

I had a nice laptop (don't remember the model and brand) but when I tried to draw on it, I noticed that the colors weren't homogeneous because of the angle and so on... so... I had trade it with my sister's bad computer <_< I don't know much about this kind of things but I guess there are laptops with screens trying to prevent this effect as much as possible. I just wanted to say "Watch out !"

^_^;
*feel useless* ;_;

--
English is my second language so... forgive me if I do a lot of mistakes ! Don't hesitate to correct them if you feel like doing it.

Just to get some things straight for the brand; pick an ASUS one, they're great

I don't have specs or models you should be looking at, but I can tell you this.

Sony laptops suck. Everyone in my family has a VAIO and they hate them. Personally I would stick with HP or Dell, regardless of what people say about their support service. They are actually really helpful. If you go with a Dell, I would chat with one of the reps about what would work best for you. be careful of some of the XPS series though.

That's all I got. Hope it helps.

--
"What would you attempt to do if you knew you couldn't fail?" ~ Unknown

"In a world of constant battle... Heros never sleep and Legends never die!" ~My own saying!

Kaze

Ha, I am having the same issue right now. I have been conversing with some of my computer friends (they do software stuff for a living) and this is the best deal we have found right now [link] HP 17'' Pavilion dv7-1279wm Laptop PC w/ Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6400 at $898.00
It seems to have great basics and a few extras. And its a 17". My co-worker saw it at Best Buy (it was more expensive with less features there by the way) and it really is that cool bronze color the picture shows! I'm sold!
Good luck!

--
Writing a fantasy or sci-fi novel? Come join #Authors-of-Fantasy

oh yeah, specs:

core2 (forgot the specific model)
3gb ddr2
2x 160gb hdd (actual seperate drives)
nvidia 8600gt mobility
17" display (max native resolution 1400x900)
windows vista OS

--

to be honest, i haven't had an issue with my toshiba satellite (got it last summer). the laptop is humongous (lol desktop-replacement) with the fattest power brick i ever seen, but cs3 software runs fine on it (at least till i start a document with ridiculous pixel dimensions) but hey, that was last summer; stuff has gotten less expensive so for the same price you could get better.

--

try a tablet, they are pretty cheap and pretty good overall( they are also quite small and transportable)

--
There is nothing left, yet, all I can do is stop and stare, when my life once had care.

every time I open my eyes I see the faces of those who I have failed, and the very thought, makes me wish, wish that I was someone anyone else.

I have an IBM Lenovo z61p with 3GB Ram, 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor and a 17" 1920x1200px Screen. On top of that it has an ATI FireGL V5200 Graphics card, wich is designed for producing 3D and vfx graphics. Since I work with software like Maya, Photoshop and After Effects that helps a lot.

I'm not really sure what you're gonna use it for so this might be overkill.

It's not a gamer laptop allthoug It runs games like CoD4 quite well.

my Laptop is over a year old now so there are probably better models out there now. but it still gets the work done with outstanding results.

I definitly recoment IBM Lenovo. Since they have a wide selection of proffesional Laptops.

PS. You're better of without a macbook anyway. DS.

--
"Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot,
To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain, and play with it!"
-Charles Chaplin