Help deciding on a new computer? Need decision by tonight!

First this isn't a tech question thats why I posted here as opposed to the other forum. Well it turns out that Best Buy is more then likely going to replace my computer. I have sent it off 4 times now and this time it actually came back in worse condition then it left. So the policy says you can get a replacement of equal technology or you can pay to upgrade from the last selling price. My laptop was a Compaq Presario R3000 it had a

64amd
60gb hardrive
512mb ram
windows xp
dvd+-rw
s-video
15.4" widescreen display
JLB speakers


Now my options are find a computer that matches those specs most likely the replacement computer will be better. Or I can upgrade to any computer that cost more then $1316 which was the last selling price of my old laptop. The policy is bullshit I should be able to replace it with any computer up to what I paid which was $1286.99 (i had some discounts) but as it stands i can upgrade with any computer above $1316. So my question to you fellow FIPG members is what laptop would you upgrade to or would you get a comparable laptop. I was thinking about ordering the black macbook of the bestbuy website or getting the $1449 Sony Vaio. I like macs but have always been a pc user so I still dont know about how I feel about switching yet. Opinions? Suggestions? Comments?

Is it any Laptop that you can find anywhere, or do BestBuy have to stock at your local store or online?

Do you have a list of available laptops to choose from?

I hate the VAIO. I'd get the Mac hands down and if you are mostly a PC user get Boot Camp on your Macbook. Problem solved. )

no list to choose from they leave the wording very vague and kinda leave you alone to decide thats why i am exploring all options.....i think it is instore only if so that automatically rules out the macbook but it may be website as well i wont know until tomorrow. i am ready to pay an extra $100-$200 bucks for a computer if it will be worth it. I am hesistant about getting another Compaq/HP

Dell's laptops are pretty nice from what I hear, so that would be my choice. Try Core 2 Duo, which seems like the best affordable processor as of yet.

it has to come from best buy though Dell is not an option

[quote64973d4a58="Stroid"]it has to come from best buy though Dell is not an option[/quote64973d4a58]

Gateway? It's really hard to give advice if we don't know which notebooks are being offered at your best buy...

pay a little more and get a nice mac book pro

ok well most of the ones i saw online are at my bestbuy with the exception of the macbook i am pretty sure i saw all of the sony's, hp, and gateways listed on the website

Mac+Bootcamp

If the macbook is even an option I will probably get that. But I have a feeling it might be instore only and then I would have to select a different PC. Here are the options I am considering.
Macbook (black)
http//www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8165255&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat103700050022&id=1162592946997

HP(hesitant)
http//www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8045288&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat103700050022&id=1158317339247

Sony
http//www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8115915&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat103700050022&id=1158318674532

Those are the main options I would consider other PC's also. Comments?

Wow Stroid, this is scary - We have/had the [i1aa55f61f5] exact[/i1aa55f61f5] same laptop as you, got it at best buy about 2 years ago as a replacement for another laptop with that warranty plan! Well I don't know if you noticed or not with your lappy but after time ours stopped charging with the powerbrick - the plugin area was just waaay loose. We had it in for one repair a few months ago and it was doing it again. So long story short just a week ago BB sent it back saying they wouldn't repair it due to "water damage" roll and our warranty, which we paid for, was now invalidated. So we were left without a warranty to fix the problem and a broken laptop. You can't stay away from BB but stay away from the HPs!

[quotec25cad456f="Godrockdj"]Wow Stroid, this is scary - We have/had the [ic25cad456f] exact[/ic25cad456f] same laptop as you, got it at best buy about 2 years ago as a replacement for another laptop with that warranty plan! Well I don't know if you noticed or not with your lappy but after time ours stopped charging with the powerbrick - the plugin area was just waaay loose. We had it in for one repair a few months ago and it was doing it again. So long story short just a week ago BB sent it back saying they wouldn't repair it due to "water damage" roll and our warranty, which we paid for, was now invalidated. So we were left without a warranty to fix the problem and a broken laptop. You can't stay away from BB but stay away from the HPs![/quotec25cad456f]that was the first problem that I sent that laptop of for and the replaced the hardrive is what the told me saying it was loose or some bs like that I am leaning towards the Sony or the Macbook anyways...thanks for the input

I'd go withe the HP.

Sightly slower processor, bigger screen, two faster HDD's, bigger video card.

Do you want/need a big screen as opposed to a smaller (15.4") screen?

After a lot of arguing and complaining they ended up giving me this as the replacement i am very happy with it. They wouldnt let me get the mac and they actually tried giving me 4 other crappy laptops but they didnt have them in stock so I was able to get this it took 4 repair tickets almost 3 months of waiting total and 5 hours of arguing with managers. I think I won in the end!
http//www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8119822&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat103700050028&id=1158319080012