Looking for Laptop Advice

I need to purchase a laptop for a "whirlwind" family trip across the country by train. I've been trying to research laptops for some time, and am not getting very definitive (to me) answers. I do not need the fastest and the most furious system, as I game on a decent home system. What I need is something that can effortlessly play DVDs, has (preferrably) a 17" screen for said DVDs, and has decent storage for pictures and video being collected on the trip. I need a firewire port for the video and a USB port for the camera. I'd like a DVD RW in case the hard drive isn't big enough for all the media. I'm getting no "warm fuzzies" on who the maker should be (Dell, HP, Toshiba, Lenovo, Acer, Gateway, Sony, etc...) I'm also not totally convinced on the processor, though I think I'm leaning towards the Centrino/Core(s). I don't want to spend a lot, and I don't think I'm asking for too much to be in the $1000 ball park. Can anyone recommend a system or sytems that will do what I want, be RELIABLE, and allow me to buy meals on this trip? Thanks!