Laptop computer recommendations

[EveryHour]

Hi ya'll~

I am interested in getting a laptop, but I know nothing about computers so it's so overwhelming! I mainly just want to be able to surf the web at a good speed, have email, Word (all that basic stuff), and burn CDs. My boyfriend also has an iPod, so he was considering an Apple computer, but I've heard there can be some compatability problems with Apples? I have no idea what I'm talking about or doing...please help (and use English, please )!

Thanks!