My current laptop just had the mobo fried.
I want to stay away from pos Toshibas.
~500 bucks
I want something that won't shit out after a year or two.
I don't really have any speed or size ideas. 250 or larger hd. Ram doesn't matter.
No netbooks. 15" or 14.5 is enough.
Media card reader optional

I've been thinking Levono. Never heard a bad thing about them. Any other brands or recommended models?