I just picked up a Toshiba Satellite laptop. Very impressed with it. I am not sure what it would cost in the US but in Canada I got it for about $1700. Very worth the $$$ IMHO.

I have had Compaq and HP computers in the past and they are tricky to fix and upgrade. You have to send it away to do any of that. Fo those of you who know you can't make a square fit in a circle hole. Most of the parts you can buy off-the-shelf won't work in one of those. So if you do get one you might as well just buy a new one once you want to upgrade.