[ale] Notebook Recommendations?

[David Tomaschik]

I'm currently looking for a new notebook computer, but as a college 
student, I'm trying to keep costs down.  I'm probably going to dual-boot 
it for a few Windows apps, but it'll mostly run Ubuntu.  My current 
notebook is a 9.5 lb behemoth, and at times, it and a few books in my 
Targus backpack can kill my back, so I'm looking for something a little 
lighter.  Basically I'm looking to find the price/power/weight 
sweetspot.  Anyone have any recommendations on brands/models?  I'd like 
to stick to around $1000, if possible.  I'd actually been looking at an 
Apple which could tri-boot with bootcamp, but that has a large "brand 
name tax" with it.

Thanks in advance,
David