I agree with Ramborc, the manufacturer is the last thing you should worry about, make sure it has enough ports for connecting peripheral devices, I've heard that they are about to release external video cards for laptops, it would be cool if you focus your choice in the future of technology, this way, you'll use your computer for more time until you have to change it again IMO <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->.
I think the most important thing is that is something you like and want to use <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) -->.