Best time to buy a Thinkpad: advice needed

Hi

My question:
What is the best time to buy a Thinkpad T61 (thru EPP) ?

Background:
I am a grad student on a v tight budget.
I need to buy a 14.1' Thinkpad T61 sometime before Jan 15th 2008.
I have access to a friends EPP discount that I plan to use.

I have been tracking the price since August and havent noticed too much of a difference since then.

Will the holiday season discounts be the best deal that I can hope to get?
Will prices drop, post-christmas or in the new year?
Does anyone have any ideas/experience on how the pricing will work out during the next few weeks?

Thanks a lot, this forum has been v v useful in helping me make up my mind,

 

just fyi, i get this thinkpad via EPP for about 1 month process. i don't know if this due to the part shortages or not. the best time would be ASAP.

 

I don't think EPP changes all that much.

 

I think after Christmas will be best chance. Always the DEMAND makes price.
But I'm not sure, simply after Christmas, the demand will decrease.

 

Last month was the time to buy IMO. I got mine for $1550 (see sig), this is with $100 tax.

Now if I configure with EPP its about 250-300 more than what I paid for.

 

anyone think there will be a price drop come monday?

 

Thanks for your inputs.
@kaede
The one month wait sounds pretty scary.
@gsrthomas
Thanks for the comprehensive info (in ur sig). I guess I just lucked out.

Do you think theres any chance of a price drop post christmas?

 

Doubtful, I'd wager that the best savings will be around Black Friday which is tomorrow up until Christmas. I'd go ahead and order now personally. (Keep in mind they will adjust the price if it drops within 30 days of purchasing your laptop)

 

I'm about to pull the trigger and was wondering the same thing. Guess we'll see, right?

 

Within 21 days of purchasing if the price goes down you will be refunded. I would go ahead and order now.

Note: The refund isn't automatic, you have to call Lenovo of course.

 

@HAckez
thanks a lot, that helps!

 

if you are on a tight budget why don't you buy a R61? It is the same as the T61 but cost a little less. I have a T61 and I am waiting on a R61 and based on some friends that own the R61 the difference is minimal.