[Liberator]

Okay, I'm planning on attending the University of South Alabama this fall and the College of Computer and Information Science requires that all their students have their own personal laptop/notebook computer.  Since this is would be my next computer, I want to get a desktop replacement class instead of one of the uber-wimpy ultralite POSes.  I want  Alienware , but budget constraints force memto lean toward the $1500 or below mark, preferably under $1000.

So basically what I'm asking for is recomendations in that pricerange.  It doesn't have to have the fastest processor, but it must have a good display and graphics capability, preferably GeForce 4 MX at least.

I found one here that fits my needs but is slightly over my pricerange.

So, excluding Dell and Gateway, what are you recomendations!

**edit** I forgot to mention that it is University policy for student computers to have Office installed for compatibility purposes.**edit**

[Blue Lion]

Why exclude Dell and Gateway?

[Knight Templar]

You want Alienware for school work? why?

I'd say find some extra money somewhere and go with the one you found. Or.. go with dell/gateway.

[Liberator]

I exclude Dell and Gateway because I know about them and what they've got, and I want to provide a resource others can go to and find what they need.

2 reasons for Alienware:
  - It looks cool.
  - As I said it's going to be my next computer.  The one I'm using right now is a 500mhz with 256mb of RAM.  I've had it for three  years.  I don't need latest and greatest, I need a good, solid machine that's going to last me a while and meet my needs.  I will be doing schoolwork and playing graphically intensive games.

[Turnsky]

in other words, you want a laptop comparable to most reasonable-grade pc's

[CP5670]

It looks like Hypersonic has some mobile models now. I don't really know much about their laptops but their desktops (I have one) and services are top notch and the reviews seem to say that the notebooks make superior "desktop replacement" type things.

I am probably going to UMD: college park in a year or so, where the laptop is not a requirement but "very strongly recommended," so I might have to get one sometime too.

[Liberator]

Originally posted by Turnsky
in other words, you want a laptop comparable to most reasonable-grade pc's

Yes.