I need help with choosing a good laptop for college.?

What I really need is a computer that I can use to take notes with in class (I have handwriting that can put doctors to shame) and for doing classwork, projects, papers, on, the whole nine yards basicly.

What I do NOT NEED is internet, while yes I know that most laptops now come with wireless cards built in this is not why I am purchasing it (Even if I DO end up using it).

I have heard a good deal of support and oppisition for Windows Vista but from what I can tell if I have it then that is ok I because I intend to get a laptop with the specs needed to comfortably run it, plus most things will be, already do run with Vista anyways.

I have my eye on a Dell 15.6 Inspiron 1545 with:

- - - - -

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T6500 (2.10GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)

Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Service Pack 1 64 Bit

4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz

500GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD

8X CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)

6-cell battery

(And many more frivilous things)

I can get this for under $600 which, to me, seems fairly reasonable (My prefered price range is 400-750, as I am not currently rolling in green yet I need a comparably good, semi-good quality laptop)

I have heard that Toshiba and Acer are both useless pieces of junk and the best models out there so I do not know which to believe, at the same time people have said that Dells are also useless. I have also heard that Sonys are mediocre and overpriced.

(Though I have no idea if any of this is true or not)

So if you can give me any help at all in choosing a good (realitive to price range) laptop it would be appreciated.

On a last note I am not interested in Alienware.