Need New Laptop (PC)

[eDub]

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.

[schuss]

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

[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.

[eDub]

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.

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.

[frerad]

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.