thanks Mike and Generic,
i was always going to wait until early 07 to get the laptop and that way it Vista could come with it.
I think I will get a custom laptop with High Ram/Graphics, etc and cut back on the other stuff that is not entirely important, eg software that comes with it.
Until then, i'm gonna have to get Babysitting money, christmas money, birthday money, withdrawl some money from my bank account, beg and nag my parents to let me buy it.