Looking to buy a new notebook - Should I wait till Vista comes out?

Don't get a Sony. They're overpriced. It's not that Dell is a good deal, it's that Sony is a bad one.

Don't wait on Vista. It won't let you *do* anything you couldn't do without it.

Look at Asus -- everything they build is solid.

Gateway Has really bad customer service[/size]: I spent $2800.00 on custom laptop for gaming. after 24 days it crapped out.... The Gateway policy is that YOU have to pay them $45.00 for them to send you a box to ship it back to them to fix it! after they had it back for over 10 days and still didn't know what is wrong with it or when I would get it back...I told them to just send me my money back and they got downright nasty with me. I talked with two people in customer service and they told me there was nobody else to talk with "NO returns after 15 days" "They will just fix it and send it back"
I am so disappointed with Gateway. I also had to sign a form that came with the $45.00 return box that said I would approve the charges to my credit card for any "uncoverd repairs that were needed" If This form is not signed; Gatway will simply return the laptop in the condition they received it in.
I've only had this laptop for 24 days !!!!!! I will never buy Gateway again Don't you make the same mistake.
I was told for sombody to come to my house to fix it was only if I bought the "extra plan" but found out that when they come over they just put it in a box most of the time anyway. Ther is NO service center for Gateway unless you "want to bring it to Texas" !!!!
I am still without my system or any idea when I will see it ....I don't even want it I just want my money back $2800.00 plus my $45.00 !!!!

Buy a new computer now with (comparably) stable XP, wait for Vista SP2 because it is bound to be buggy upon release.

I wouldn't go as far as saying that Sony's are a bad deal, sure it may cost more than a Dell, but the Sony is almost 20% lighter thanks to the carbon fiber casing. The Sony also has BOTH integrated and dedicated (Go7400) graphics for the best of both worlds. And not to mention Sony's excellent screens.

If you want an everyday lappy, get the Dell. But, if you want a laptop that will make heads turn, get the Sony SZ.

BTW: I dont think Vista is worth waiting for.

sony is light thats for sure but its more expensive. get lenovo or something they are light 2. and lotof machines are vista ready now days

If I were you I would hold on to the Ispiron for another year at least. It should hold up ok, and if it does break, well, I think you'll find that spare parts are widely available on the web. If you have to get it repaired locally, you can always use the schools computers temporarily.

In addition to Vista being ready, there will be Santa Rosa, and next gen graphics, and... I usually wait as long as I can to upgrade. Plus, just think of all the pizza and beer you'll be able to afford!

The Sony SZ recently had a price drop if I recall. It's a little pricey because of the name, but its build quality, features, and screen are outstanding. It's one of the best sub 15.4" laptops out there imo.

Santa Rosa is the new platform for the Meroms. Just like Sonoma was for some of the newer Pentium M's, and Dothan was for older PMs

I'd suggest waiting as long as you can too. for 2 reasons, Vista is going to be buggy at first, and if you wait you'll get "more" hardware for you money.