ACK! Technical Difficulties

Very sad day.  My laptop hard drive has passed away.  The Geeks tried to resuscitate it, but alas, I have to say goodbye. 

I am borrowing my mother's laptop for the week, so I may not be on as often until I get my own machine back in my hands.

So now the question is, do I invest $350 in a new hard drive for it, or do I use that money towards a new machine?  I hadn't  mentioned it, but my #1, 2, and 6 keys were broken, my sound recording device was no longer working, and I didn't have a webcam.  My laptop is actually only 2 1/2 years old, but the way technology changes, I've already been feeling the difference.  Oh, and did I mention that my laptop runs on Windows Vista? 

Can you tell I want a new machine?  I'm hoping that they might be able to pull some of my data off the old hard drive.  I went on a polar bear safari a few years ago, and I'm afraid that I didn't back everything up to my external drive that I should have.  I know, I know, bad photographer...

Laptops go for anywhere from $600 to $2000 depending on what I get, but I have to tell you, I have not been impressed with Dell lately.  My last two machines were Dell and it seems that two or three years is all that get out of them.  I would be interested to know if any of you have had a better experience with other machines?   There is even part of me that would be interested in a Mac.  It's been years, but somehow I think I could learn again quickly.  My brother would be SO happy to think I had converted from a PC person to Mac person.  I think we can be both, Johnno...

Have I also told you that I am a student with no substantial income?  My heart and hopes want me to get a new machine.  However, I don't have a lot of pocket change these days and  may have to struggle along with a $350 repair and save up for a new one later. 

What do you think?  Any advice or brand recommendations?