FWIW I am a big fan of Sony. I have lots of Sony stuff - TV's - DVD recorders -Camcorder - still cameras HD etc etc.
I also have a small network of a privately built desktop and 3 laptops with all the peripherals.
The laptops are Sony. I have bought them one by one with a year in between each. We are more than happy with the performance. We mainly do photographics and video work on them while the desktop has our business applications on it.
I know that Sony are not the cheapest by any means but we have found them solid reliable and sound.
I have just bought a Sony VPC-F12S1E/B which cost me a little over £1000. The others were less than half this figure, but this is a high spec machine and first impressions are great.
Buying a computer is a bit like buying a guitar. There is a good range of excellent models and the choice is bewildering. You have to choose what suits your own needs best.