Travel Technology - Looking for Cheap Laptop

I am travelling to MSY (New Orleans) in late March. I need a laptop but do not want to spend the $1000 to $2000 bucks to buy a new one. Would really like to have either an iBook or PowerBook, but would consider a PC if price is right.

Does anyone know of any cheap resellers in New Orleans or sites where I can arrange a deal before I get there?

Check out this page (http://www.lowendmac.com/ibook/ideals.html) for cheap iBook deals.

Averatec (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0006H5I3Q/ref=pd_ts_c_th_1/103-5045292-1897440?v=glance&s=pc&n=12076591). Also at Sam's club

If you don't absolutely need a new one, how about eBay or the misc.forsale.computers.and_so_on newsgroups? I'd just suggest limiting it to sellers in your geographic area so you can look at it and try it out first.

Here's a link to an article about laptops for frequent flyers from ZDNet:
http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/ZDNet_Ultralight_Notebook_Business_Buying_Guide/4520-3121_16-5078198.html?tag=txt

I have three used laptops from CSR technologies.
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZcsrtechnologie


good, fair, company.

Have you considered renting one if it is just a short term requirement?

While not much off less than $1k...

Store.apple.com has some refurbished iBooks:

For $799 + Tax
iBook G4 1.2GHz/ 256MB/ 30GB/ CD/ E/ 56K/ 12-inch TFT - Apple Certified

For $849 + Tax
iBook G4 1.2GHz/ 256MB/ 30GB/ Combo/ AP Extreme Card/ E/ 56K/ 12-inch TFT - Apple Certified


A better deal IMO is a new iBook from Amazon.com The tax on an Applestore.com purchase, makes a refurbished on about $20 more expensive than a brand new one.

For $994 - $100 Mail In Rebate. Free shipping, no tax.
M9623LL/A - Apple iBook Notebook 12"1.2 GHz PowerPC G4, 256MB RAM, 30GB Hard Drive, Combo Drive, Built-in AirPort Extreme