Computers in general become outdated in less then a years time so to say you want something that will not be another drop in the bucket system is kind of redundant. If you want scalability and the options to move with technology, go with a desktop.
Now as for the price vs. reliability issues. Each company has it's flaws and it's really a case per case issue of good versus bad feedback from current users of each of the companies they offer their opinions on. You say you don't want hard core gaming specs on a laptop but your willing to spend $2300+ on one is just a rediculous statement. Your wasting your money spending anything over $1200 on a laptop especially for the things you say you require and don't require. It's like buying a house just because you like the garage, your wasting your money but at least the someone makes out in the end.
I think to better serve your question you should post exactly what you would like to do with the computer your looking to buy, whether it be a laptop or a desktop what will your main purpose be for buying the machine? If you have no clue and just say you want to surf the net then why toss your money out? As it stand you sound like you have money that is burning a hole in your wallet. Necessity versus need.
