A Marmite thing I guess, I have not found a single laptop I get on with, don't like the keyboards for speed typing and lack of numerical keypads, as you say pointer thingies are awkward, and with my eyesight 17" is a bare minimum screen size. As for cost, any decent laptop can be matched with a desktop with two monitors and bells and whistles for the same price.

I have found some people who are the exact opposite though, vive la difference!