Thanks for all the suggestions. We did take them into consideration, and considering it's Nicole's laptop, she has final say. Decided to go with a Dell through my companies benefits program. Best price available and from a support standpoint, that's what I'm for and have resources here... so I don't have to worry about their crappy customer support.
And I don't like mac, well... because I don't
Yes, I've used them quite often and I prefer my 10,000 button mouse and blue screen of death
I do not prefer things bouncing around in the lower corner like a jack f-ing russel terrior
If you haven't seen that spoof, go find it.