I think I've owned a pretty wide array and recommended an even larger amount of laptops over the years, including Sony, Toshiba, Dell, Alienware, Compaq and HP. Out of the lot I tended to opt for the Compaq's simply because they where the budget HP brand meaning they included many of the desired features at often lower price than many other brand.
In terms of what I'd live with, it would have to be the Alienware m17x (my current laptop

) because the support is next to unbeatable and the specification is far exceeding that of many other similarly classed laptops.
Although Alienwares are at the top end, I had lived with the Sony for around 10 years (15 years old ish now) with no issue, although the value of the Sony when purchased was next to £2k (Back then

) so you get what you pay for essencially.