Need New Laptop (PC)

Okay, I am looking at buying a new PC laptop to supplement my desktop and I need to know how to find the killer deal that someone on this board always knows about.

Price is a major consideration, as the laptop is not a necessity and I am financially challenged. I am wondering how to find the best deals (is waiting until after Christmas really going to save me significant $$?), where to find online discount codes, etc. I am also looking for advice on pitfalls to avoid.

My last 2 computers have been Dells, and despite the fact that telephone customer service sucks now, the hardware has been rock solid. I won't be doing any major video editing or gaming on the laptop. This laptop is for word processing (including creation, editing, and viewing of MS Word and Acrobat files), email, photo/mp3 saving, basic photoshopping and paint shop pro, surfing the interweb, and

Preferences:

• 14.1" or 15" screen

• CD-RW/DVD (DVD burner not necessary, already have one)

• USB 2.0

• Firewire (not mandatory, but a strong preference)

• Reasonably thin and light, but I'm not willing to pay a premium for it.

• No HP/Compact, I've heard way too many complaints. Legit or not, the trust factor is gone.

• Wireless (I have a card, but I would prefer internal.)

But for the most part I'm flexible on the config. I'm willing to consider used if its an unbeatable deal and I knew and trusted the source. I'd prefer to stay away from eBay unless someone can recommend a specific seller and a specific model.

I've seen Dell's low end machine in the $650 range with an acceptable configuration. Can I do better? Does anyone know how to decode Dell's discount cycles so I know that a better deal won't show up on their web site 2 days later?

Thanks.

Dell 5160 isn't bad and fits your criteria. Not superlight, but not superheavy either. 600M is everything except firewire.

Check techbargains.com daily. There are always good links to deals and mail-in-rebates. That is how I ran across the Dell one day $750 off coupon code.

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Originally Posted by frerad

Check techbargains.com daily. There are always good links to deals and mail-in-rebates. That is how I ran across the Dell one day $750 off coupon code.

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Yeah, I love that site. I missed the $750 off coupon. By the time I decided to pull the trigger, everything was gone but the super high end gamer laptop.

Did you get a Dell that day? Which one and what do you think?

I've been using a company Sony Viao PIII. A little slow, no high speed USB, and no ability for dual monitor (I forgot to put that in my orginal post, but not as critical since I found "Synergy"), but otherwise pretty solid.

I bought the 5160 and it rocks. Fast processor (3.06/1.8ghz plugged/unplugged) with an 60 gig HD, dvd-rom/cd-burner. I mostly use it for internet usage when I am away from home for a few days at a time. It shipped out to me pretty quickly (arrive in 6 days) and I haven't had any complaints yet.

I'll keep an eye out for any other deals I may come across. If you end up buying something, make a post here and I'll know to stop looking.