Usually at this price you only get the R61e with celeron and only touchpoint. This one gets you entry level core 2 duo and UltraNav (touchpoint + touchpad), Intel ABG Wifi, Multiburner drive, but unfortunately no fingerprint reader. I recommend to upgrade the RAM to 2GB . There's another combo with Office 2007 just $100 extra.
Oops I linked to the wrong version, that was the Office combo $799. So with the same spec, it's $100 cheaper than MSY. Plus I can't find Office cheaper than $100 should you want that.
The Dell Inspiron 1525 is better value at $699 with the same kind of specs as this but has a 2.0ghz C2D processor, 2Gb of RAM and HDMI out. In my opinion it looks a lot better too.
http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/noteb…
I agree, especially on the HDMI part. But thinkpads have spill proof keyboard and roll cage for business people. Direct competition is dell vostro and latitude - not inspiron.
MSY was selling this (same specs) for $799 about 3 months ago. thanks for the effort tho.