Best time to buy a laptop?

[mack11211]

Dear Folks:

A couple of weeks ago, during the cold snap, when I took my Sony Vaio into the city (covered, etc.) the motherboard caught a flu (condensation issues, perhaps). Only Sony repairs its products, and the probable price of the repair equals the current replacement cost of the hardware, so....

I'm on the market for a decent laptop in the 800 -- 1000 range. I need it for images, sound, pix, etc but I'm a writer not a gamer. Any rec's? Should I wait until after Xmas? After New Year's?

One criterion is that the maker sells parts to others, so there is no monopoly on repairs.

 

[ratboycom]

There are a couple HPs out now that have 2gig of ram and Core 2 Duo Processors, as well as Nvida Graphics (but its intergrated, blech). That should suit you well (has all of the obligitory other specs: WirelessG card, DVD-R(W), High Gloss Case, Web Cam, 120+ gig Hdd. All in all pretty decent comp for the money)

Or if you want to go say Dell (which I dont really suggest unless you buy one from the bargain center or one of their packages) stick with a Core 2 Duo and buy the premade pack because upgrades to it cost an arm and a leg.

 

[whodini]

Deals are decent now, but the best time to buy was just after thanksgiving. Dell had some pre-customed inspirons for peanuts. I ordered one for my uncle and although it was pretty basic, it came with dual-dvd, gig of ram, 80gb hd, etc for $600 shipped with taxes.