When i worked at bestbuy i was #1 seller of laptops (avg. of 10 a day) and back in the day Toshiba's were the way to go. Currently i own a HP laptop in which i've been dissapointed with since i purchased, i have a small sony laptop as well which kicks ass and at work 2 toshibas for when i need mobile work. I also have a Acer notebook that has been a champ since i got it.
I really like toshiba, i had a minor battery problem with one (more like a power connection problem) which i fixed myself by popping it open and doing a minor soldering work.
Here are the laptops i own:
Acer
Sony
HP
Toshoba (a135's)
1 (cant find the other)
I really hate the HP because it seems like it was cheaply made, cheap materials and its kinda flemsy. The acer is used for doing templates and its a tank, i've let it fall from waist high quite a few times and no problems. The sony i use when i'm not at the office and i need real mobile work done, its a great tiny laptop, it's very reliable, but it gets really hot. One toshiba is at the office, other at m house, both are on for most of the day (i turn off my house one from time to time). These babies are beasts, they are sturdy and dont feel cheap at all.