Any HP laptop would be good! What is your price range?
Also, if it is for school, have you considered getting an iPad? It is great for taking notes and looking stuff up and being portable. My friends currently use it
1 - b - Excel is a computer program, so it'd be Software
2 - a - Process of elimination, haven't heard of the term 'peopleware' before.
3 - d - A joystick accepts input from a user to interact with a computer. ex. Flight Simulators
4 - c - A monitor will display (or output) an image based on what is received from the computer.
The third option is your answer.