I've been reasonably pleased with a couple IBM ThinkPads, but both of those were refurbished commercial models.
Which brings up an important point: A lot of the notebooks sold at big-box stores are "consumer grade" models, and are not built for the same standards of abuse that commercial models can withstand.
If you can search out a commercial-grade notebook, buy it before you buy any of the junk models that places like Best Buy stock. You will pay more up front, but the improved quality is worth every penny IMO.