I'm looking for the absolute highest performance laptop PC, where cost
is not a factor. My most important factors:

Processor: Pentium4 is best, prefer no Pentium4-M's. At least 2.5GHz,
highest would be best.
RAM: Need lots of RAM (1gb+)
Graphics: At least 32mb card, prefer 64 or 128+.
Screen: 15" or 16" please. At least 1280x960. High maximum resolution
is very important.

I will be using this laptop as a development machine, so performance
and screen res is essential.

Please give me several options, from several different leading laptop
brands (ie Dell, Toshiba, HP, IBM, etc)

As a Dell Reseller, I'd have to suggest a Dell, but I'm biased.  I can
also get you 10% off your entire order, so keep that in mind. 
Additionally, I know you don't want a Pentium 4 Mobile, but I'd have
to highly recommend it.  Putting a P4 processor in a laptop has proven
to be a disaster (just ask Toshiba).  Unless you have a specific
reason, if you find a laptop with a regular P4 (I've listed two), I
wouldn't buy it, I guarantee you'll have problems (overheating, blue
screens, crashes, instability, etc).  You didn't mention Hard Drive or
warranty requests, so I just went with what was suggested by the
manufacturer...

Dell

Inspiron 8500, Mobile Pentium® 4 Processor,2.5GHz,15.4 WUXG
1GB,DDR,266MHz 2 Dimms
64MB DDR NVIDIA® GeForce™ 4 4200 Go AGP 4X Graphics   
60GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive
No Floppy Drive   
Windows XP Pro
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem  
24X CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive
WordPerfect
Free second battery
1 year limited warranty
6 months free AOL or MSN
  
 Price: $3,275.00 (plus a $200 rebate and 10% off if you bought it
through me, which makes it closer to $2,750 plus tax)

Just to be fair and to answer your question correctly, I here are
other options:

COMPAQ -

   processor : Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 2.40GHz-M  
   
   memory : 1024MB, 2 DDR SDRAM Module  
   
   hard drives : 60GB Hard Drive  
   
   floppy drive sold separately  
   
   display :  15" UXGA WVA display  
   
   cd-rom/dvd : DVD/CD-RW Combo (MultiBay)  
   
   modem  : 56K V.92 modem  
   
   network card : 10/100 NIC  
   
   operating system : Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional  
   
   mouse : USB 3-button mouse  
   
   warranty : 3 Year Onsite US and Canada  

   price : $3,299

IBM (I don't think you can really put together and buy a laptop from
their site, they just aren't customizable enough.  I'd call if you
want to go with IBM and place your order) -

G40 
Processor type Pentium 4 (NOT MOBILE!)
Processor speed 3066 MHz 
Processor cache 512 KB 
Display (Std) 15.0 inch SXGA+ (1400x1050) TFT Display 
Hard drive type EIDE 
Memory 256 MB (couldn't figure out how to upgrade this, but can go up
to 1024 MB )
Operating system Microsoft Windows XP Professional 
Optical drive DVD/CDRW Combo Fixed 

price: $1,999

Toshiba -

Here is a summary of their Satellite 1900.  

 Intel® Pentium® 4 Processorª 2.80GHz (NOT MOBILE)
  16" SXGA display display 
  NVIDIA® Geforce4™ 440 Go™ GPU w/32MB DDR memory 
  DVD-R/RW for digital editing or creating movies 
  10/100 Ethernet and V.92/56K modemº 
  Up to 2.5 hrs.² of battery time 
  Warranty: 1-year parts and labor, 1-year battery 

  price - $1,999.00

Go here for more details:  

http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/product/pdf_files/detailed_specs/satellite_1955-807.pdf

I can give you more if you have specific requests, but those are the
top 4 you asked for.  Personally, I'd go with Dell because of
reputation and support.  Again, I wouldn't get the IBM or Toshibas
with regular P4 processors, but that's just my advice.

Hope this helps you in your decision making!

Aaron

Sounds good. I might be contacting you soon. Thanks!

I'd recommend increasing the price on this question as it seems low
for the amount of work required. *shrug*

http://answers.google.com/answers/pricing.html

skermit-ga

I would check out Alienware laptops at www.alienware.com. At any given
time, they have some of the fastest laptops available, with really
beefy video and real (not mobility) P4's.

Skermit, I dunno, it doesn't seem too hard to me... Just find several
large brands (heck, I named 4), goto their pages, and build the most
expensive laptop in their store, then paste the specs here.

For what it's worth, I bought the Dell Inspirion last December (I
think 2.2 Ghz) same requirements.  I've been very pleased - especially
the high resolution.  I use 8 monitors for my desktop (4x2 @ 1280x1024
each = 5120x2048)

http://206.158.53.25/images/8_monitors.jpg

I highly suggest the double fix anything support insurance.  (I
spilled a coke on mine, that I need to get cleaned - works fine but
stick keys suck)

So although biased, based on independent research on my own, I bought
the Dell.

Just my 2 cents!

In addition, I suggest the 10 hour battery from Valance Technologies. 
I love that thing!  Here are some links for "a person on the "on the
go"..

	Valance Technologies - Model VNC-130  - Battery pack for remote AP
power, 12 VDC, 5 Ah minimum (specific battery model dependent on
laptop model for power supply)
	(http://store.yahoo.com/valencetech-store/ncharge.html)
	Valance Technologies – Auto Adapter 
	(http://store.yahoo.com/valencetech-store/autoadapter.html)
	APC - Power inverter, DC-to AC, 75 watt minimum 
	http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=9&web_displayed=Mobile%20Computing