Windows Vista we be offered to retail buyers on Jan 30th.

My guess is that the computer retailers will be offering deals on older XP systems on or about that date.

:iagree:

btw - I would put as much memory that you can afford in the machine. It's cheap and an easy way to speed up the machine (usually "cheap" <> fast)

This might work for you:

http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/st...catalogId=-840

Hardware, not software, drives the prices of computer systems. It's not like the world is going to stampede the computer stores to buy Windows Vista or systems with Windows Vista installed.

Computer manufactures are not idiots. Any non-Vista compatible hardware they have in inventory will likely be used in business workstations. They already know that the migration process from Windows 2K/XP to Windows Vista will be a very slow process at the enterprise level and therefore a market for non-Vista compatible components still exists.

I've had several Windows Vista betas running on a spare computer for shits and giggles. IMHO, other than improved graphics, it's nothing to write home about. It is not revolutionary development; it is instead evolutionary. It's nothing more than Service Pack 3 in a fancy wrapper.

Its my understanding that the Vista compatible machine will need better graphics and processor.

I think that the price of the "standard laptop" will include these Vista hardware requirements and the price will not increase by much.

As far as dumping the non Vista machine this process has started and probably will continue for the next few weeks.

http://www.salescircular.com/

Updated every Sunday... just keep an eye out there. If you want a never ending headache, by all means, buy a Compaq. If you want a good laptop, buy anything else.

I had a HP Laptop which was nothing but trouble.

When you consider the cost of your time I would stay away from Compaq.

For in expensive laptop I would consider Toshiba