The Dell Studio 15 or HP dv4/dv5 might be good options. I'm pretty sure you can find both at Best Buy. I would have your friend go to Best Buy and play around with a few models. I think value is as important as the next guy, and certainly you want to make sure he gets a laptop with good specs. However, for something you're going to be taking to class at college and resting on your lap, feel matters. When you buy a desktop things like weight and size don't matter, but they do with laptops. Don't let your friend make the mistake of buying a brick, and also make sure he is comfortable with the touchpad and keyboard. Typing on a crappy keyboard for for years taking notes in class sucks... believe me, I know!