HOW to buy IBM etc.?

[Nan]

I'm planning to buy a first laptop soon (approx. 233 MMX or 233 PII, hopefully
64 ram and 2/3/4 gb harddrive, with CDRom & modem; spending about $2500).

At this point I'm considering IBM, Micron, Dell, Gateway, Transmonde, maybe
Compaq or Toshiba. I understand the process for the mail-order companies, and
it seems easy to get whatever configuration you want, (if you decide you can
afford it).

But the process for IBM, Toshiba, & Compaq has me confused. Their prices are
higher and retail outlets carry a few scaled-down models. If you call IBM, they
will sell only a few models (less than I want for $1799 or more than I require
at $3199).

Someone on this board referred me to:
http://www.uvision.com/
where I found a wide variety of Thinkpads (also some Toshiba & Compaq) with many

different configurations listed, from what I think are mail-order vendors (like
PCMall and ComputerQuick in CA, PCConnection in NJ, MicroWarehouse in NJ, etc.
).

I've bought software and peripherals from companies like these, but is it safe
to buy a laptop from them? Are these new laptops or refurbished? Do they carry
the same warranties as laptops purchased directly from IBM that give IBM? And
IF deals are similar, is it best to buy from someone in your own state or
cross-country (to avoid sales tax?)? Are 30 day returns common like with direct

companies?

Just wonder what to do if I am interested in IBM (or Toshiba) but want to buy it

with Active Matrix or 64mb RAM. What do people do?

Nancy