Laptop Recommendation
Make sure you get 64 bit windows vista and at least 3GB of RAM. Core 2 duo processor or better. You cannot measure processor in GHZ anymore, as they have lower GHZ then older processors. They now have multiple cores which is kind of like have more then 1 processor in 1. I would just use model number and check sites like this http://www.cpubenchmark.net/
At the moment i would not recommend AMD as Intel is kicking its butt. Spend the extra 10 bucks and get Bluetooth and wireless N instead of G.
A lot of computers are coming with free upgrades to windows 7 when it comes out, look for that. you don't want to spend another $100 in a year and windows 7 is a whole lot better than vista. I've been using it for a month on my desktop and laptop and love it.
oh and always get the video card upgrade. The onboard cheap video is not the way to go, even for people who are not going to do any heavy gaming or graphics.
