So far as I know, that will depend on both the size of your laptop screen and on whether you zoom in. On mine, it does put a black strip at the top and bottom (just like it would on a TV), but doesn't really bother me. You're still probably better off attaching it to a TV for viewing all the way through.
As for laptop recommendations, my company uses IBM, Toshiba and Dell. I wouldn't recommend the Toshibas, though they're SUPPOSED to have a great recommendation. Ours have had various problems, though they DO take care of waranteed machines. The IBMs are wonderful but very pricey, the Dells have been all around good machines. I have a Dell, and haven't had any serious issues...yet.
Unlike the Gateway desktop I'm using at work, and which I WILL destroy one of the days...grrrrrrr!