I am basically a cheap SOB when it comes to computers. My laptop is now 3-4 years old and was the very first one I ever saw under $500. As far as what it should have just make sure that it has built in wireless - putting in that card is a pain and it can damage the motherboard if it is hit the wrong way. It happened to my machine. I have heard very little that is good about Vista but it is the future. The biggest complaint is that it eats memory so make sure you have at least 1 Gig of RAM. My bottom of the line laptop work just fine and they have them advertised as low as $400 these days at places like Best Buy or Staples or Office Max. One last word - be careful with the power cord. Mine was hardwired to the motherboard and just wiggling it around for 3 years caused it to fail. My machine is a HP.