BleepingComputer.com: Which laptop is better for the bucks?

I am in the market to buy a laptop for class but am overwhelmed but the different brands out there. Does anyone know which laptop is the best for the bucks? I found a compaq at a really good price $699 (specs are intel pentium 715 1.5ghz, w/ centrino, 512 mg ram, 60gb, 15 inch monitor, dvd/cd combo, windows xp but heard Toshiba and Sony were better. They are also $400 more. Their specs are very similiar w/ the exception of more gaming ability and a dvd writer came on the Toshiba and Sony.

Also I just called the apple store and the total price before tax will be $1668. That includes the IBook G4 1.2 ghz, w/60gb, 512mb, Office Student/Teacher edition, Apple Care 3 year plan, and IPod Mini 4G. Is this a good price??

Please help if you can.