Laptop help! Need new one

So timing of all timing, my laptop chose today (my birthday) to basically tell me "Buy a new one!" Little bastard BSOD-ed me, and then wouldn't restart properly twice in a row. My parents want me to take it to a techie on campus and then to a professional techie and then they'll replace it. WHICH I understand...except I've shown him to techies on campus before, when he wasn't behaving as badly as he was today and they said I'd be better off with a new one. I know if I take him to a professional place I might not see him again for a week at least which is not good because Rowling (my little netbook) can't handle the load that Shakspeare's been carrying. The only reason I even have Rowling is to take notes during class because Shakespear wasn't handling the time away from his scurity blanket...I mean power cored...well. Besides, I've heard horror stores about the techies removing programs they shouldn't and with no access to the family's back-up hard drive for another month and a half, I'm not willing to risk anything.

Question now: what laptop should I get? I know some of what I like, a big screen, a DVD drive that actually works (Shakespear's didn't for whatever reason), mouse pad in the center of the bottom of the laptop, I don't like the number pads on the side of the laptop, and I'm a Windows girl, no Macbooks. Blu-ray is a prefered luxery, I won't cry if it's not there.

I got a laptop for Christmas, it's a Packard Bell EasyNote TK and it's awesome :3 I used to have a desktop but replacing it with one with the same specs as this laptop would have cost loads. I don't know if you'd need the same specs I have - 6GB RAM because I run a lot of graphic-intensive programs for my artwork so it needs to be fast - but I got it on an offer so it was really cheap considering how good it is. It's also got a 15.6" HD LED LCD screen (though I hook it up to an external monitor when I'm drawing - but I sometimes use it for DVDs and it looks really clear), and a working DVD drive. ;) I nearly always have Packard Bell PCs and they've never failed me, so I'd recommend it. ^^

Moving to NaNo Technology

Moving to NaNo Technology

I recommend Toshiba Satellite, any model with Intel processors. They're very reliable especially at their price point (figure the 600-800 dollar range).

I highly recommend ASUS laptops. They've got a wide variety of models and sizes available.

I got mine (I believe the ASUS u52f) at Best Buy for ~$600, and am very happy with it. It didn't have all the bloatware installed on it that new computers usually have, and performance wise it is fast and snappy. It's handled everything I've thrown at it with no lagging, slowing, or crashing. I use it for both writing and coding, and haven't had an issue. It does have both a DVD and Blu Ray player. Mouse pad is mostly in the center bottom, and it's easy to use and responsive, two finger scrolling, and unlike a lot of laptops I've used, it's not buggy and temperamental.

There is a number pad, but it's small. I don't use a number pad either, but I don't find that it gets in the way at all. I also find the chiclet keys on the keyboard to be very comfortable when I'm typing up long documents. It's got about 5 hours of battery life, and for its size, it's pretty lightweight. As for screen size, it' 15.5", and as someone else who likes large screens, I find it pretty comfortable with no eye strain. I'm able to easily have two applications open side by side.

Oh, and it looks good. :-)

Since I don't want to open a new thread I just ... I want to semi-hijack this one if it's okay with you guys.
I'm also trying to get myself a new laptop (since October 2011 actually, but I had to pay for a new tooth back then...) but I have a hard time deciding. /: I narrowed it down to either an Acer Travelmate 5760Z or a Toshiba Satellite Pro C660. Hardware-wise they both seem alright to me ... But, the details! (btw, a non-glare display is extremely important for me ... I don't want to see my reflection on the display, that's just annoying).

Any input on Acer Travelmate and Toshiba Satellite Pro laptops?

@Earthsick

I haven't used the Acer, but I have used the Satellite Pro, and have been pretty satisfied with it. My display did not have any problems with glare. It's a good machine.

Well, I got myself that Satellite Pro now.
It's really nice after getting rid of all the bloatware and after switching out a load of programs. Still need some writing stuff on it, like Q10.

Btw, what I meant is that there are two types of displays: glare and non-glare. If yours is as shiny as a window and you can see your reflection in it then it's a glare. Glare is nice if you like viewing fotos and that kind of stuff, but unnecessary if you're just using your laptop for writing and the like.

Fun fact: this thing fits perfectly into a bag I didn't use anymore.