I browsed notebook computers over the weekend, just to get an idea of what's available. Since I will be traveling by air most of the time I need this computer, I have to balance portability (size, weight) against all-out functionality. If car travel were my primary mode, my criteria might be different.
At this point, 17" screen machines are pretty much out of the running. I love the screen real estate (particularly on the 17" PowerBook G4), but size and weight are issues. When you're already lugging around a camera backpack, tripod and duffle full of personal gear, every ounce counts.
As a PC user, I'd prefer a PC solution. There are a couple of Toshiba models (Satellite M45, for example) which are worth investigation). I'm also looking at IBM and Fujitsu.
On the Apple side, the 15" PowerBook G4 is very interesting. The challenge there is deciding which of my PC applications I need (as opposed to "want") to have on the road, and then finding out if they have Mac versions. The hangup there is Eudora e-mail, where the address book and message files are "sorta" compatible.
Off to do more research,
Paul