Shoutbox

First of all choose on a display size and resolution first and whether you want to take this laptop to places (weight/battery) or you will be using it as a desktop replacement, this will narrow the selection down a bit depending on what you're looking for.

Second decide which features are an absolute must (DVD Burner/ Wireless N/ >xGB RAM?). And choose some kind of a price range you're willing to spend.

Once you have some idea on that you can start looking at individual reviews or ask people to make recommendations. Without it there's just too much to make a proper choice from.


EDIT: Don't let your choice depend on brand too much. I can give you horror stories as well as customers loving the same product for all of the big manufacturers. Everybody makes crappy and nice models. And what djdannyp said.