Lab: Maybe you missed the "dell specials" part. Buying a dell at full retail is stupid. If you are just slightly patient and look around, you will find 15% coupons to add to one of their many, many specials.. ie, 2.8ghz, 800fsb, 512mb ram, 17" flat panel, $598 shipped. Add the 15% off and then try to beat that with a sony.