I was going to recommend mine, 'til I saw your requirements!
It'd depend what you want to do with it. I'd stick with a Windows-based machine, if you want to use the greatest choice of software.
If you look at the highest-spec processors:
AMD = faster & more optimised. Gamers prefer these.
Intel = slower but more powerful. 3D artists prefer these.
If you just want it for Office, email, surfing, coding & music (playing & editing) then you won't need a particularly high set of specifications, at all. Indeed, all of these will comfortably run on a computer that's below the average retailer's 'cheapest & least specified machine', these days.
If, on the other hand, you want to run a lot of 3D graphics-based (games, MSFS, 3DS, Maya etc.) software, then the higher the spec, the better. If these are important to you, look to benchmark (3dmark05 etc.) the machine before you buy it.
Getting a good amount of RAM is probably of more importance, to me, these days, than a particularly fast processor. Though not laptop-specific, I've found that a good graphics card & plenty of memory can make more difference than a faster processor, in general use.
n.b. Wifi is going to be considered as an intermediate technology. It's useful if you want to use the networked laptop, wirelessly, round the house, or in the garden. However, WiMax will be available in the next couple of years & this will allow you to use your laptop in pretty much any urban area. To me, Wifi, built-in, would not be vital, the USB dongle can be bought separately for less than £20, if need be.
Hope this helps.
I have an XP3000+, 1.5gb DDR333, a 6600GT and I'm programming 3k text-based exe's?!
