I am in search of a good computer?

I will be going to college soon and I need a solid notbeook. I am looking at either a MacBook or an Alienware Area-51 series

I need a comp with a built in camera, good student software like microsoft word, excel and powerpoint, at least. I also want some good gaming software for my downtime or when i'm on a flight from coast to coast. I also want a powerful bang for my buck, and i want this computer to last me at least the first two years. after that, I'll shop around again.

In your case, I would suggest the Alienware. Macbook's aren't really made for gaming unless its a macbook pro. Alienware is a well known, well put together gaming laptop. Go for alienware.

Well, the alienware is a great laptop, you might also check out the Dell XPS. However, on those gaming laptops, about the most battery time you will get is 2 hours. So if you are flying coast to coast, get an extra batter :)

How about this one Pat. The Asus C90s. First laptop to use a graphics card. One that YOU can take out, and upgrade. First laptop to use a desktop style processor. The laptop has a Socket 775 (LGA 775), socket on the motherboard. Will support processors up to a Intel Core2 Duo Extreme Edition 2.93GHz (X6800) The top of the line graphics card for it right now is a Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT with 512MB's of DDR2 ram. This laptop supports up to 3GB's of either 533MHz DDR2, or 667MHz of DDR2 ram. This laptop only comes as a 'barebones' unit. You have to install the processor, ram, harddrive, and graphics card. How hard is it to do? Turn the laptop over on it's top, remove four screws out of a large panel. Everything is right at your fingertips. Want to see?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPrw89QIX...
(Review and details, of what I just 'mentioned' from Computer Shopper on YouTube.)
The 'barebones' comes stock with a 15.4 inch ColorShine Glossy Screen, built-in webcam in the top-middle of the LCD frame,(2.0 Megapixel,and has FaceTracking Feature). FingerPrint Reader, and large touchpad. Internal Bluetooth 2.0 + HDR, and 10/100/1000 Mbps LAN port. Has a HDMI port, e-Sata port, and 3 USB 2.0 ports. Comes with a 8-in-1 Card Reader,(SD/Mini-SD/MMC/XD/MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS-Pro-Duo), Dual -Layer SuperMulti Dvd/Cd burner, (Option is out there for HD and BluRay also.) TV-Out port, Firewire port, the list just goes on. Here's a review from a person on a forum. Gives details on his build, and OS choice, plus large photos.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthre...
I did a build to see what I could install, versus a decent price, at Directron.com They have the 'barebones' unit listed at $730.00. I didn't shop around, I just used what they offered. I 'installed' a E6600 Core2 Duo,(Two processor cores running at 2.40GHz each. 4MB's of L2 cache, and a 1066MHz FSB.), 2GB's of Corsair 533MHz DDR2 ram, a 320GB Sata harddrive,(Toshiba), and WindowsXP Pro with Service Pack 2. $1270.00 I went to their vid card page, and installed the Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT with 512MB's of DDR2 ram. Total $1400.00
1.http://www.directron.com/asusc90s.html
2.http://www.directron.com/90c1ciz5jxbn0.h...
Now you can build a laptop with the processor, graphics card, harddrive, and ram, based on what you can afford at the moment, and upgrade later, instead of buying what you can afford, and have to live with it until you can afford to buy a new laptop! (Sorry about the run-on.)

Edit: Forgot to add, that Asus is supposed to be looking into offering a Nvidia GeForce 8800 series graphics card, for this laptop. (8800GTX, or the new version of the 8800GTS? That'd be sweet!) (Towards the end of the year, is the speculation)