I personally like the vaio laptops.
This one has basically all you need and you can buy and additional battery. Also weighs around 6.5lbs standard:
http://b2b.sony.com/Solutions/product/VGN-N385N/B
$999
If you can spend a few more hundos, this one is a lot nicer and weighs even less:
http://b2b.sony.com/Solutions/product/VGN-FZ285U/B
$1299
Aside from this they have a huge selection at this site.
Stay away from dells, i agree.
Just doing this cause I'm bored at work, and soon to go home. But I will gladly take the 50 and flip at PLO [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]