Just an idea, but does it have to be "new" or would a factory refurbished unit suffice? I decided to go this route after using several IBM Thinkpads (company provided) over the years with no problems whatsoever, and reading much "bad press" about most of the new offerings, Vista, (even checked out Macs, etc.). I don't need all those "bells & whistles", just a basic laptop...here's a link for IBMs, and I'm sure most vendors offer similar sites. $600 (on up) will fetch a more than capable laptop (w/ Windows XP), recovery software, etc.
http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=1&catalogId=-840&langId=-1&categoryId=2576396