OT: Laptop recommendation for a photographer?

My father's laptop is having issues, and I'm encouraging him to get a new one.

I imagine he will want to spend in the vicinity of $750-1000. What's a good machine (preferably not Apple) in that price range for looking at pictures? Last time I looked at new laptops was many years ago, so I dunno.

Built-in SDHC reader is a plus, as he shoots (and complains about) Canon. I suppose the grass really is greener on the other side -- I loaned him my E-510, and his reaction was "Wow, the viewfinder is so clear, and the AF is so accurate! I gotta get one of these."