Looking for a dependable laptop

1_What is your budget?

$800 or so

2_What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?

Pref. around 17"

3_What screen resolution do you want?

Don't care much

4_Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?

Portable would be better, but I,m not too concerned about the weight.

5_How much battery life do you need?

3-4 hours

6_Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?

Negative

7_What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo / Video editing, surfing the web, playing music, watching movies, Etc.)

Playing music, watching movies, surfing web, research, school stuff, possibly photoshop.

8_How much storage (H.D.D Capacity) do you need?

500 Gb if possible, will take a little lower

9_If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post the links to them.

Not picky

10_How long do you want to keep your laptop?

A few years. 3-4. (to make it through school.)

11_If you would like to mention some other things about purchasing your ideal laptop, post them.

Webcam and mic, and dvd burner are a plus, lightscribe doesnt matter.

12_Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.

Will not use Acer or Gateway, I have had too many problems in the past with them


Thanks in advance