if you are buying from sony usa site, don't forget to get the $200 sony coupon! in addition, you can get a printer free after rebate.

this is what i will do if i am getting the computer.
get 9700 and Xbrite LCD.
1.6, 1.7 or even 1.8G CPU
256Ram, the cheapest option available, and get ram from Kingston or Crucial and add 512X2. (much cheaper this way.)
wireless and bluetooth build in. (BT is quite useful, ex, cell phone, mouse...)