Any laptop recommendations?

[CantGetFooledAgain]

My Dell Inspiron 8500 looks like its done for after 4 years of almost continuous use. I need to get another laptop and soon, as this was my primary machine for work and home, and I take it with me wherever I go.

I'm looking for a medium to high-end "desktop replacement" type of machine. My requirements are:

15" or greater screen

Durable, travels well

Supports dual external monitors (with my current Dell, I dock it and plug my monitors into the analog and DVI ports on the docking station, looking for something similar).

Dockable (see above, I don't absolutely have to dock it but it saves time and may be the only way to get the dual monitors)

If it's one that I could buy off the shelf at Costco, BestBuy, or Tiger Direct that would be a big plus.

Can I get one without an O/S and just install it myself?

Any suggestions, DU'ers?

[tigereye]

1. not sure it meets all your criteria

but I love my MacBook.


I think I've become part of the cult.

OTOH, I never had a laptop before, so I may have limited perspective. My husband the IT guy things Macs are the easiest to use and don't have to use WIndows!

[CantGetFooledAgain]

2. I would consider a Mac, but...

I'm in the software consulting business and everything our clients do is Windows-based, so I'm pretty much locked into Windows for the forseeable future.

Thanks for the tip, though. I'll probably own a Mac someday.