Looking for a laptop for school next year

[Deathader]

Hello everybody! This is my first post. I'm going to university in the fall, taking a bachelor of science. I'm taking computer science and math classes, and will be majoring in one or the other. I'll be doing some light gaming (TF2). I'm looking to replace my 3 year old desktop (Q6600, 8800gt, etc) with a laptop I can carry around to my classes. I will be taking several programming courses, so I'll be doing some compiling.

Thanks!

1) What is your budget?
Preferably under $800, but I can go as high as $900 for the right laptop.

2) What size notebook would you prefer?
d. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen

3) Where will you buying this notebook? You can select the flag of your country as an indicator.
Canada

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
a. Like: Asus, Lenovo (Thinkpad), MSI maybe?
b. Dislike: Apple, Toshiba

5) Would you consider laptops that are refurbished/redistributed?
Yes

6) What are the primary tasks will you be performing with this notebook?
Schoolwork, compiling code, light gaming (TF2)

7) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places, leaving it on your desk or both?
Both

8) Will you be playing games on your notebook? If so, please state which games or types of games?
Light gaming. TF2

9) How many hours of battery life do you need?
The more, the better! Although I don't mind carrying around an extra battery.

10) Would you prefer to see the notebooks you're considering before purchasing it or buying a notebook on-line without seeing it is OK?
Doesn't matter to me

11) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista or Windows 7), Mac OS, Linux, etc.
Windows 7 or any flavour of Linux

Screen Specifics

12) From the choices below, what screen resolution(s) would you prefer? Keep in mind screen size in conjunction with resolution will play a large role in overall viewing comfort level. Everyone is different. Some like really small text, while others like their text big and easy to read.
1366x768, but I will compromise

13) Do you want a Glossy/reflective screen or a Matte/non-glossy screen?
Prefer matte, but not a huge issue

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Not particularly. Durability is nice though.

15) When are you buying this laptop?
Sometime this summer

16) How long do you want this laptop to last?
Minimum 2 years

Notebook Components

17) How much hard drive space do you need; 80GB to 640GB? Do you want a SSD drive?
Around 500gb. I was thinking of replacing the drive with an SSD, and using an external to store my movies / other media.

18) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?
No. I can use an external DVD burner.

[Tyo]

Well today is the last day of Lenovo sale, but I don't think you wanted to buy a laptop that fast
IdeaPad Y570 15.6" Laptop w/Core i3-2301M, Windows 7, NVIDIA Geforce GT 555M graphics, 4GB DDR3 RAM, 15.6" 1366x768 display, 500GB 7200RPM HD, DVDRW, BT, 6-cell battery - $719.10 plus $57.53 cashback

Follow this thread to get discount
Canada***Lenovo laptops up to 25% off and cashback

[Deathader]

I wasn't looking to buy one today

Is it worth waiting for Llano?

[Deathader]

Also, I see Lenovo is having a sale on their Thinkpad Edge E420 for 599 with an i5. How well would that play TF2?