Need help from laptop aficionados

OK, for my graduation and birthday present, my parents are buying me a shiny new laptop!!!!!  The cutoff price is actually very high, no higher than $3000, which leaves plenty of room for good stuff.  What do you recommend?  I know if i want to play games it may be better to get the Alienware area51-m because laptops arent meant for games.  I really dont know much about laptop prices, and which companies are best.  Suggestions?

Get a Centrino-M laptop. Gives you some 5+ hours on the battery. Also go for a good ATi or nVidia gfxcard and you should be set for gaming heaven.

How \'bout a Dell? http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/offers/specials_centrino.htm.

Also check out http://www.anandtech.com/mobile/index.html for Centrino laptop reviews.

i picked up a dell 8500 inspiron a few weeks ago

2.4 intel, 64mb nvidia, 1gb ram

plays any game i throw it like a charm

it\'s a bit heavier than i anticipated, but it\'s not so bad

if 3000$ is the limit then definately get a area-51m (but not in the green color, get the one with the chameleon color scheme)

[nO-One]

go with sammy\'s suggestion, when it comes to laptops I prefer a good form factor over raw power. Centrino based lappys are supposedly nice.

Or go with lapzilla, the 17" powerbook

BTW, can anybody tell me any hint to clean my laptop screen? I\'ve asked many times, but nobody knew very well. I can\'t find proper liquid to clean it... how can I then? With a damp cloth or what?

soft damp cotton cloth and NO chemicals

OK, thank you mm

Hey Adan, you might want to check out Toshiba laptops.
I have the Satellite 5205 S703 and have had no complaints
whatsoever.