Please recommend a good laptop

[BarTopDancer]

I am driving myself crazy with comparisons and reviews.

This is what I'll be using it for:

web-surfing
mild gaming (RCT, Sims)
taking notes in school
photo editing
burning CDs
wireless internet connections


I'd like:

fast
fast
fast
something that could in theory replace my desktop

I do not want:
An Apple.

My budget is around $1k. I've been looking at Dells but they are getting a lot of mixed CNet reviews. I'd love a Viao but I think that's out of my budget.