I second the recommendation to get an IBM/Lenovo T series laptop.
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES get a Dell laptop. Their quality/reliability is horrible. The corporate standard here at work is Dell desktops and IBM laptops, and I have no intention of changing it until Dell fixes their laptop quality issues.
I have a T41 and T43, both are great laptops, solid and reliable, you'll be hoping for it to finally give out in about 3-4 years so taht you have an excuse to get a new one
