Check out the Maximum PC website http://www.maximumpc.com/  

They have a best of the best section that list their pics. of the hardware out there, a handful of the guys from the old BOOT magazine still work there!

Hope this helps   !

USB 3 is just hitting the high end case manufactures now, Intel has finally agreed to support it on their chipsets. I have not heard of a laptop that supports it as a standard so you might have to do some searching.

Check out Sager laptops (the ODM is Clevo).  While their known for their ultra-high-end machines, they also have some nice, smaller mid-range machines, some of which are starting to have USB 3.0.  The build quality is also excellent.

heh - you know you can't wait.  I'm chomping at the bit now.  I'm trying to get something for high end vid games but at a reasonable price.  Spec'd out a few things recently, but I'll likely wait for my bonus on Feb to spend more money than i should. 

Light Peak=yes

USB 3=meh

Wait for Light Peak

How about going AMD this time around?

Speaking as an AMD fan I gotta say the selection of AMD laptops is pretty weak.  I buy them.  I hesitate to recommend them.

I've had a Sager for the last year and a half, and it's been a great laptop.  I'd definitely recommend them.

get a SSD drive or a hybrid like seagate momentus xt7200

My Sager laptop was a pleasure when I bought it and remains so today. Got mine though xoticpc.com years ago.

If I'm in the market for a new laptop, I'll start with Sager.

- Othello

Wow! Just took a look at the Sager laptop line and only one word comes to mind, Impressive!

I have the AMD Vision setup on my notebook. It works great. Beats having to pay Intel to unlock multiple cores. Intel is now charging customers to unlock cores on newer setup.

Sorry - can't get the link to work.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11379089

Last I checked they haven't started doing that yet, and all AMD laptops now are branded with Vision.

I would go with AMD. Seems like they are more compatible with programs than Intel have had crashes with Intel where AMD worked fine. Go with a multicore, almost a must for gaming. USB 3 nah, what actual devices are out right now where you would actually need it? would be nice to find a laptop with DDR3 memory in it though basically you get what you can afford. If you are getting it for gaming I would save up and get one with the better features.

Well, i don't know if you have Aldi general store  in your area but media have release a "low end" laptop who is very interesting... the low end thing is more related to the price... i have see it today in store for 699 euro tax included...

A article about it : http://www.goodgearguide.com.au/review/notebooks/medion/akoya_p6624_md98390/365032

Have a dual core I3-370m with hyperthreading, a Nvidia GT 425M with 1gb dedicated ram but the Nvidia Optimus technologie switch to the Intel graphic ship when power is not needed, 4gb DDR3, and USB 3.0 along the usual gadget ( Lan, WIFI, web cam, multiready card, tv tuner, etc )...

From my own experience with medion laptop, they are good computer with enough power for a low price... main problem is the casing in very thin , somehow flexible plastic... always transport it in his bag and don't expose it to hard enviromment like when i was working like gardener...

Since the first post, one month ago, USB 3.0 is not more for high end desktop computer... low end laptop have it too... so, if you have not yet buy a laptop last month, time to make a new search cycle...