I dont know much about laptops,but its a tough choice, but if i were him i would choose a alienware
compaqs are horribly unstable (i have one.....) dells might b ok, i think u can ax them 2 customize 1 4 u the HP is a PC mostly used 2 office work (i dont know anything bout HPs
)
but if i was 2 choose from those 3 i would choose da dell (only if they can costumize a good one) otherwise i'd go 4 da HP