laptops: any experts?

Depends what you want the laptop for.
1.Just for surfing the web watching movies go with any company that will give you a warranty it does not matter what company makes the laptop because they don't make the parts that run it thats made by the same two companies. Something around 2.0ghz 80gb would be great

2.It is real hard to get a laptop to work like a desktop where you can play video games and run hardcore applications and do almost anything so for that I would suggest you get a custom no brand name laptop which you can google with at least 3.0ghz and a top of the line graphic card.

If customer service is important to you then get a Dell.  I messed my keyboard up playing poker one night and so I figured I was fucked.  I got into a live chat with a Dell attendant and they told me that not only would they send me a new keyboard but they would also send a technician to install it for me.  I do have a warranty but I reported the problem on Friday and the technician was as my place with the keyboard on Monday.  Great company with great computers

dell for sure

i've been in university for the past 3 years and gone through 3 machines
1. HP is complete garbage after a year. the battery screwed up so many times on me and customer service is like talking to myself on the phone for 3 years at a time.
2. acer is a decent brand but its really sensitive to movement i find. but unless ur going to buy it at a place that gives u extended coverage, be prepared to buy a new one in 3 years

if u get a dell with a 3 or 4 year package ur pretty much set. u build ur own laptop based on what you like doing (playing video games, watching porn on a sick screen, office work which leads to watching porn, on covers watching porn that other members post)

Thanks for all the input fellas, much appreciated. Went with the acer aspire 5630, seemed like the best value. Hopefully it wont need servicing though ....

Definitely not a HP because they suck. I've had 4 Dells with no problems.

i have a dell desktop and i love it, but i have a few friends that have dell laptops and they have had problems.
best buy has some great deals on laptops right now.  also, if u buy from costco, i think u have a 12 month return policy. 

check cnet.com for reviews.

We use Toshiba's. Have 20 of them we rent out. Never had a problem with them. We did just have a memory chip go bad on one. Not a fan of HP/Compaq. Dell's laptops you can't beat the prices. They are OK. The XPS line of laptops of Dell's are much better. But they come with a higher pricetag. I say just wait till Sunday rolls around and look for the best deal. Not sure where you are located, but any of the big box stores usually has laptops for about $600 or a bit less after rebate. Or sometimes you don't even have to mess with one.

i believe fujitsu makes a very good laptop as well.  ive seen some of their models, and their screen quality is by far the best ive seen compared to other store brands like hp, toshiba, compaq, gateway and sony

first of all dont get a fujitsu, horrible reliability and overpriced.
if you want the bang for the buck kinda thing..u have to hunt for a deal.

brands of dell, hp, toshiba are all okay. compaq is bought by HP so same thing.
you will hear horror stories of all brands but in general HP + DELL is pretty much top manufacturers right now..toshiba used to be up there but are desperately trying to catch up.

the mac software gap is closing rapidly.  if you are an average everyday user, id say there is a 99% chance that any software apps you need u can find on mac osX.  unless u have a specific program that u need and isnt available for mac, take a good look at apples laptops, they are very good

also, u can run windows XP on the new macs