I wouldn't knock the MacBook too much. Under $1000 if you check Apple's refurb section (store.apple.com, scroll down and look in the left sidebar), and you can run Windows or Linux if you wind up hating Apple gear. Buy the cheap model and swap in your own larger HD and 4GB of RAM and you'll have quite a decent laptop for not a whole lot of money.
If you hate Apple, then I'd go with a ThinkPad personally, but I don't know what's good on that side of things.
One other thing I forgot to mention: Apple refurb gear carries the same 1-year warranty that new Apple gear does, and you still have the ability to buy AppleCare (extended warranty) on it.
Generally, you're not giving up a whole lot going refurb except a shinier box and the ability to BTO.
If you hate Apple, then I'd go with a ThinkPad personally, but I don't know what's good on that side of things.