Dell inspiron 6400 straight from DELL marked down to $799 with 80Gb hard drive and 2Gig RAM, Vista operating system. Best deal i have seen out there right now
I've always bought my computers refurbished from the Dell Outlet, without any problems. http://www.dell.com/content/default.aspx?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh&DGVCode=IR Normally you can save a few hundred $'s buying them there. Also, you should keep an eye on these sites for specials, mostly from Dell, but also from other manufacturers. Sometimes the specials are cheaper than buying refurbished: http://www.gotapex.com/ http://www.dealsea.com/ http://www.dealcatcher.com/
Don't forget the "warehouse" stores, Costco, Sam's Club, Price Club. If you spot a well-configured computer for your trading requirements (in time) at one of the above web sites, or at one of their local big box stores (on a one-day pass +X% if not a member), grab it. It may also pay to join as a $50 member if it still makes a good enough deal to snag it right then... Although you say you're sticking with WIN XP Pro (for a while), don't short(sheet) yourself. Buy a Core2Duo computer for your trading, ideally with 2 gig RAM, and separately utilize your painfully-slow-dying-catch-all laptop for internet browsing, mail. Closely watch the day-published computer sales in your area at the usual stores that offer computers: Best Buy, Circuit City, Fry's Electronics, Future Shop, Staples, Office Depot, Office Max, etc., - you just never know who'll have what you need, when. Any one of the places here can sale-beat the recommended sites in the above posts - just be sure to diligently search all, all of them through their ads - online and print. Keep checking out computer mags for their laptop ratings. Don't lose sight of apples to oranges to tangerines comparisons - dates rated, different processors, amounts of RAM, etc., = different list/street prices: http://www.pcworld.com/product/reviewfinder.html?id=6
I always have the latest model by simply entering a college library and parking myself in a high traffic area. I get up frequently to look like I'm getting new books, but really I'm just scoping things out. When I see a nice computer, I wait until the kid gets up to go to the bathroom or chat with some friends. Sometimes I shmooze with the victim first and have a cohort become a distraction so that it looks more natural when I take off with the laptop. College campuses are also good for mountain bikes. My local fence keeps bitching at me about snagging something other than Trek mountain bikes.
Your story is messed up and not cool. What town do you live in? I'm looking to buy a five finger discount laptop. Just kidding.
Sams Club has auctions. You can save an additional 25% off the current prevailing retail...even if they sell it in their own stores..I am convinced they take a loss. I just had my Fellowes DS-1 shredder delivered for 50 bucks TOTAL where the net has it at 75 bucks....