I am looking for a basic no frills laptop. I just started an online master's program and would like a new laptop. Our old one is dying a slow death. I don't need anything fancy. But . . . it cannot have Vista on it. My online program is not compatible. All the good deals have Vista and not XP. Can anyone help?

TIA!

Perhaps they're willing to install XP instead of Vista? I forget where I saw it, but I know it was one of the major chains (best buy, maybe?) that offered this as a service for new computers. I'm pretty sure there was a fee, but not sure how much. May be an option...
HTH!

The Dell outlet still has laptops with XP, or you might try contacting any local computer shop. They can build or refurb a basic machine to your specifications.

57 Laptops, all brand new, all running Windows XP, starting at $599.99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=32&Description=&Type=&N=2030260032&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&OEMMark=0&PropertyCodeValue=449%3A6965&PropertyCodeValue=449%3A11104

For $699.99, either of these two Lenovo laptops are really nice:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=Property&N=2030260032&OEMMark=0&PropertyCodeValue=393%3A22253%2C393%3A23203%2C449%3A6965%2C449%3A11104&bop=And&CompareItemList=N82E16834146295%2CN82E16834146314
(Lenovo bought IBM a few years ago)
These two laptops are both Core2Duo with 1GB of RAM and Windows XP Pro. The main difference is whether you want a 14.1" screen or a 15.4" screen.

I got my laptop with XP (my internet program to connect to work cant use Vista) after Vista came out from the Dell Outlet like the person above suggested- it was about $300 off new and works fine. FYI, some places are willing to install XP onto a system that came with Vista for you if you buy XP but say it will void the warranty.

We ordered a new one a little while back. For work purposes my home computer couldn't have vista yet either. So, we go it from Dell.

Mine has Vista and I hate it. I may call around to see if some of those can take it off and put on Vista.

Thanks for the idea. I don't even use my laptop because I HATE it so much. I tried REAL hard for a week, but I just hate Vista

I think I am going to place my order for a Dell Vostro 1400. With them you can customize it with XP instead of Vista. I am going with the 2gb so that if I decide I want to upgrade to Vista in time I will have enough memory. I think it is going to be around $600 or so. The Vostros are listed in the business section, they have great reviews.

Vista sucks...

you can likely install XP yourself if you have the disks from your previous computer (assuming you're not using that one anymore)

I know you can still certain Dell's with XP. I have vist and I HATE it!
Good luck.