I have an HP which is like 7.5 lbs. I gave up on carrying it to class. Pretty much all of the computers I see actually being used in class are iBooks. I do see people with larger ones at the library, but not in class. Also, unless you get a Centrino laptop you will get crappy battery life.

So if you want something for taking notes, I suggest going as light as you can and for as much battery life as possible. But a computer like that ain't gonna play games very well unless you spend a lot more than $1500.

If you're only going to carry it with you every once in a while then something a bit heavier would be tolerable. But yeah the 5160 is 8.3 lbs and that's a bit much.