Help Please - Need a new Computer

[MomtoGKC]

This post had perfect timing - I am looking at laptops this week and have been clueless as to what I am looking for! I'm finally narrowing it down, I'm just having a hard time with which brand to go with. I've heard Lenovo is good, but I've never seen/felt one in person. I don't want an HP because we've had problems with our last ones. I like our current Dell, except the battery died really quickly and I've heard that can be a problem in lots of Dells.

So many things to figure out, but you guys have made it much easier - thank you!