Check this out,
http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/150405

@galaki, the specs for the coupon suck. No optical drive, 12.1 screen, .. no way would I get that.

is he going to be doing any type of gaming or strictly for school?

It really depends on the user. The optical drive could be fixed by using the base or usb dvd drive. I hardly ever need an optical drive.

As for the screen size, it's also up to the user, too. You're trading portability for the size after all.

I have X60 and I love it. So light, I haul it everywhere without a sweat.

I don't think Dell is that bad. I got a pretty good XPS and I like it.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9183581&type=product&id=1218049412025

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9167929&type=product&id=1218041998162

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9166635&type=product&id=1218041148373

i have the HP one, good laptop. games decently, the one linked is a step above mine.

Also, the RAM you really should upgrade to 2GB or more, which should be very cheap nowadays.

HDD, I think 80GB is more than enough for schooling. Just buy a larger external HDD for d/l or upgrade the HDD yourself.

If a CC is closing near you, you may find a decent price. (I'm saying may here, liquidators are crazy)

Be careful with CC liquidation. They'll jack up the price before the sale price, ending up with them actually more expensive than you could find elsewhere.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2034940032+4021+1041010743&Configurator=&Subcategory=32&description=&Ntk=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

newegg works to