[Kipper is King]

I've got both an HP laptop and an HP desktop. They've both worked well for a couple years, they run current applications well and they both cost about $700 at Best Buy. The only problem I find with them is the "bloatware" crappy software HP loads onto them. It can be removed however, just a minor hassle.

Macs look cool, sure. But I think they are overpriced. Comparably powered laptops cost hundreds less. However the build quality of new Macbooks is rock solid.

Also, you may want to look and see if her university offers any sort of a discount problem. At the U of C for instance, both Macs and PCs are discounted if you order through the University.