I was looking to buy this laptop:

http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4470956?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

However, if I buy it now, there's always a chance better technology or a better deal will spring up between now and this November (when I shall be really needing it on a vacation).  In y'all's experience, what's the best time to buy?

Although, the question remains: Should you come in through the back door, or just rappel in through the roof?

That technology is already well outdated as far as laptops go.

The problem is power consumption and heat generation.

The battery is drained so quickly that that type of system is really only suitable as a desktop replacement, in which case, one with a 17" screen would make more sense.

About 4 or 5 months ago, Intel released the latest generation of mobile solutions based on the I 915 chipset and Sonoma CPU's.

Sonoma is "Centrino" technology. Centrino is really a name to cover a range of late power efficient mobile solutions. Centrino is not a particular technology in itself.

I'm pretty sure the "Centrino" label covers certain laptop models using Celeron, Dothan and Sonoma processors though I'm not exactly sure of the true definition.

Suffice to say that the Sonoma based system is the one to get as it combines the latest performance, cooling, and power saving technologies.

Sonoma's run at much lower clockspeeds, lower voltages, use less power and generate less heat. They provide wireless LAN, run a 533mhz FSB, and have several other advantages over the competition.

There are lots of fakers out there using the "Centrino" name as a selling device, beware as they are not the same  as the Sonoma.

Dell, (omg, I can't believe I'm saying this!), offer some decent laptops based on Sonoma technology, and, at least here in Australia, appear to talk turkey when it comes to tweaking up the purchase options. I found this out by calling them after having difficulty with their website.

I managed to negotiate with Dell, a Sonoma system consisting of a high end Sonoma CPU, 1gb ram, 80gb hdd, Supermulti DVD, etc etc, for the same price as one of their basic midrange systems.

Acer also make a particular producrt range based on Sonoma. The acer has better video upgrade options than I was able to get out of Dell. Dell simply would not put a mid-high end graphics solution on the Inspiron 6000 product range, pity, because it would be a very attractive buy then.

This is a link to a Acer product that can be found at a fair price.

http://global.acer.com/products/notebook/tm4100.htm

Note the specs state the G900 graphics (I believe that's the onboard solution, which is PCIe) or the Radeon X700 mobile solution.

Good graphics is the most difficult aspect of buying a current laptop. Most systems LEAP in price as soon as you see anything decent fitted. The trick is to find a Sonoma based system with reasonable graphics aboard, because the graphics can rarely be updated on mobile PC's.  

www.ibuypower.com Build the entire thing yourself. Wether you use the intel Sonoam or the good ole AMD you will be happy with what you get. But I must second Congo, however correct him in that Centrino dosnt cover celeron.

Happy buying
~Cameron

Its not, thats just a custom OEM.

BTW, Dell is a great value for laptops, in fact, they make the most powerful gaming laptop available (if you pay the price).

Dell computers are great as along as you don't plan to upgrade or overclock it.

I generally prefer 'workstation-class' laptops that have full blown desktop CPU on miniturized motherboards that have powerful gfx solutions. Of course, all of my laptops are big, get hot easily, and battery life...what battery life?