We are all for the mac here
Something else you may want to keep in mind is where you will use your computer. Personally I think a macbook is great for college because its made to be used on the go. Its only 4.5 lbs, fits in almost any bag, sits perfectly on the lap or on the fold out desks in lecture halls... basically its really portable. Plus the unibody construction is one of the sturdiest laptop bodies out there which will be well appreciated when "life happens."
Larger pc laptops are good as cheap portable desktops, but imo they are a pain to take places. Some of those pc's are loaded w/mini sub-woofers, tray loading cd/dvd drives, a key pad, extra buttons, slots and hookups. All of those features can be good things but they make the laptop bulky and heavy.
Another plus about the mac is the OS. It is designed to be intuitive, so that everyone is able to use it. Its a small thing, but one of my favorite things about the mac os is how easy it is to drag and drop things: icons, text, pictures, it all just works.
Plus it isn't bogged down with all the versions windows has (home, media, professional); there is only one version it has everything, and said everything works together.
Get the mac, take it around with you and use it throughout the day (not just when you go back to the dorm). Its worth it.