For running 3DS Max and Lightwave, 128 won't usually cut it. MAYA (not miya, i think you mean't maya) will need 256, and running directx, c++, etc. will require 512. Dell m90 is pretty nice, but I really hate dell . Plus, for a 1000 usd budget, the best you can get is a cheapie. HP, like you were considering, is good enough, but for heavy-duty graphics needs, it won't cut it.

Heres what I came up with (all under 1260usd) Dell is your best bet if your on a slim budget... But i managed to find a nice acer with sweet graphics. All of them are good, but it's best to inspect reviews (notebookreview.com is THE BEST!!) and forums (notebookforums.com is THE BEST!!) to find your personel best choice. If I only had 1000 usd, then I would get the dell e1505, it's the best under 1k and you can upgrade it to suit your needs. here are my pics: (4 options)

Option 1:

Intel VBI Asus S96J Core Duo Barebone 15.4 Inch WXGA/ATI X1600 256MB/Built-in Webcam/Combo
$665.00$665.00
Non-Refundable, exchange for same item only: I Agree
Installation: Hardware and Windows Software Install
CPU: Core 2 Duo T5600 1.83 GHz 64Bit 2M 667 Retail $269.00$269.00
RAM: Corsair 2GB DDR-2 667 SODIMM (2X1024) $250.00$250.00
HD: 60GB 5400rpm S-ATA $75.00$75.00
Internal Wireless Card: No Wireless Card
Warranty: 1st Year GenTech, 2nd Year Intel Limited Warranty
Display: 15.4" WXGA 1280 x 800 Color Shine (Glare)
VGA: ATI Mobility X1600 256MB PCI Express
Optical Drive: CDRW/DVD Combo Drive
Camera: Built-in Camera
Availability: In Stock
Edit Options
Total: $1,259.00 at http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=SFNT

Option 2:
Dell e1705
Congratulations! Your system is ready to be built.
We have some recommendations for you highlighted in green below.
Components
PROCESSORIntel Core Duo Proc T2250 (1.73GHz/533MHz/2 X 1MB L2 Cache)edit
OPERATING SYSTEMGenuine Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005edit
LCD PANEL17 inch Wide Screen XGA+ Displayedit
MEMORY2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHzedit
HARD DRIVE80GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Driveedit
OPTICAL DRIVE24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Driveedit
VIDEO CARD256MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1400 HyperMemoryedit
WIRELESS OPTIONSWireless Card Only: Dell Wireless 1390b/g (54Mbps)edit
Accessories
BATTERY OPTIONS53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Batteryedit
SOUND OPTIONSIntegrated Audioedit
Software
PRODUCTIVITYNo productivity suite- Includes Microsoft Works 8. DOES NOT INCLUDE MS WORDedit
ANTI-VIRUS & SECURITYNo Security Subscriptionedit
DELL DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENTStarter pack- Basic and trial products from Corel and Yahooedit
Service
WARRANTY AND SERVICE1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr Mail-In Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Supportedit

Dell Recommends
An Additional Year of Service
Upgrade Your Years of Service. Choose 1 Year of Service and protect your investment!

(If Complete Care selected, number of years must match warranty term)

Help Me Choose
Upgrade to 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr At-Home Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Support add $63 or $2/month1
DIAL-UP INTERNET ACCESS6 Months of America Online Membership Includededit
ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM
Network CardIntegrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe SoftwareAdobe Acrobat Reader 7.0
MiscellaneousAward Winning Service and Support
Processor BrandingIntel Core Duo Processor

Anyways, both are over budget, but you can go with option 3 if you cant give 200 more bucks:
dell e1505:
Congratulations! Your system is ready to be built.
We have some recommendations for you highlighted in green below.
Components
PROCESSORIntel Core 2 Duo processor T5500 (2MB Cache/1.66GHz/667MHz FSB)edit
OPERATING SYSTEMGenuine Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005edit
LCD PANEL15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLifeedit
MEMORY2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHZ, 2 DIMMedit
HARD DRIVE60GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Driveedit
OPTICAL DRIVE24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Driveedit
VIDEO CARD256MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1400 HyperMemoryedit
WIRELESS OPTIONSWireless Card Only: Dell Wireless 1390b/g (54Mbps)edit
Accessories
BATTERY OPTIONS53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Batteryedit
SOUND OPTIONSIntegrated Audioedit
Software
PRODUCTIVITYNo productivity suite- Includes Microsoft Works 8. DOES NOT INCLUDE MS WORDedit
ANTI-VIRUS & SECURITYNo Security Subscriptionedit

Dell Recommends
Help Protect Your New PC!
PC-cillin Software, 15 months!
Help Me Choose
Upgrade to PC-cillin Internet Security: AntiVirus, Firewall, Spyware removal 15-months add $71 or $2/month1
DELL DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENTStarter pack- Basic and trial products from Corel and Yahooedit
Service
WARRANTY AND SERVICE1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr Mail-In Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Supportedit
DIAL-UP INTERNET ACCESS6 Months America Online Internet Access Includededit
ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM
Network Card and ModemIntegrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe SoftwareAdobe Acrobat Reader 7.0
Processor BrandingIntel Core 2 Duo Processor

And, here's one last option I found (4), again, hard to find budget buys, Im used to 4-5k budgets

Power on a Budger: Area-51 m5550
Power and Mobility: Area-51 m5750
Mobile Carnage, Widow Maker: Area-51 m7700
The most expensive option, if you want style.

the acer has more memory, but the philips has nvidia, which i like better. Acer is better all in all.