The brand of laptop doesn't matter as much as the speed/size/amout of RAM. I have a Gateway (purchased this Jan. '06) with a 100Gb hard drive and 1 Gb of RAM. (It is upgradeable to 2G of RAM, which is a plus...not all laptops are expandable!) RAM makes them handle these big ol' graphics programs better/faster. The more RAM the better. Since you are set on getting a laptop, my only advice would be to try to get one that you can add RAM to. When you get a graphics program going and lots of layers and elements and all that, you don't want your 'puter running at a snail's pace! 100G hard drive is big enough to start off with, and I guess lots of the ladies here have a second hard drive just for graphics. I haven't needed the second HD yet but eventually if I fill this one, that's what I'll do too.
I've been using Digital Image Suite but my hubby recently bought me a Wacom Pen tablet, which came with PhotoShop Elements 3. That's a great program. So is DIS! Either way you can't lose. Try to get a store to pricematch, no matter what you buy. I saw DIPSuite for $64 at Target, then went over to Office Depot (who had it for $90 but with a $40 rebate on the box!) They price matched Target, and I sent in the rebate and ended up only paying $24!! It pays to shop around. PSE is priced similarly and you might get lucky and get a rebate too.
Also I think I've seen PSE at Costco for under $50 recently.
__________________
perkidawn
Happy 2008! My goals for the year:
*Count my points (WW)
*Do 5 layouts a week
*Plan menus for dinners and stick with them
Being a Mom is the greatest calling God has given me.
Stop by my Blog!