I wouldn't go with Mac. Most people use Microsoft Office, so using Mac will hinder you (even if there is a Mac version, it is probably less compatible than the Microsoft Windows version). I think Vista is great, hated it when it came out, but now your average PC is more than capable to handle it. For a mouse, I have the Microsoft Optical Notebook Mouse 4000, it's a tiny mouse that is powered by a single AA battery (lasts forever on just one battery, only needs replaced once every few months, and that's with the mouse on 24/7) and it has a USB radio receiver that you plug into a USB port on your laptop. The receiver fits into the back of the mouse when you're not using it (also turns the mouse off when you put the receiver into the slot, there's a switch that cuts power to the mouse to save battery life).
Other than that, I recommend the HP dv6000 with Vista 64. I think you'll like it, I sure like my HP (of course it's bigger/faster/better but still, the overall design is great and Vista 64 is top of the line now). The only problems you'll run into with Vista 64 are unsigned drivers. Vista 64 doesn't allow them, but there are hacks to get around this (such as overclocking GPU using RivaTuner, the RivaTuner drivers are blocked, but you can still use them with a program that overrides the check).