Any programmers out there?  

Personally, I feel that any laptop can do the job. However, you should look out for a larger screen.

I think that any laptop will do the job.. If it's only for programming you can use even a old laptop.. since you all need to open is a editor and the code.. but if you want to play video games, chat, watch movies then you should buy a nice one, the latest from the marked.. don't hesitate..

If you are doing computer programmng then just any laptop will not do. You have to make sure that certain criteria are met or else you will be plagued by so many frustrations while practicing your programming which might even make you want to change your mind about going into that career feild!
(1) First thing to do is get one which has a modern grafics card. If you dont, some grafics features for modern programming might not work and you'll end up having to use someone else's computer or worst yet, buying another.
(2)Speed considerations. Nothing is worst than having a slow computer and when you are "compiling" your java or c++ source code into machine code you might have to sit there for mintues every time you compile. and you will be compiling very frequently. so get a fast computer. one with a motherboard like A13G/A13G+ series, or higher. but those are good enough.
3) Another thing, personally for me(and a lot of others), I find that dell laptops are good while toshiba laptos are excellent! So I always recomend getting a toshiba.