If you want battery life go with a Toshiba Tecra S1, around $2300 w/ cdrw - dvd rom. Although you will have to add some more ram to it as it only has 256MB.
If you want raw horse power get a Eurocom note book. You can basically put anything you want in the thing, and get up to a 16" screen. Then are the tank of laptops though. (and get kinda pricey)
"You know you've done your job right when nobody notices"
"Don't quote me boy cause I ain't said sh*t"