When to give up on laptop order?

My wife wanted a new laptop computer, so having good luck with Dell in the past, I configured a 14" Studio laptop that would be a major upgrade to the little ASUS netbook she is using now. The new laptop has an i5 processor, 4GB memory, a 250GB HD (small, but she doesn’t really need the space and it is 7200 rpm) a Radeon 4530 video card, the bigger battery, bluetooth, backlit keyboard, etc.

That is, it would have all that, if Dell could ever deliver it. It’s been on order for almost a month, has been delayed twice already, and has just been delayed a third time.

Here is the problem - although it will still a nice little machine, in the month we’ve been waiting for it even better machines are becoming available. In fact, I can go to the Dell site today and spec out about the same computer with the following changes: A slightly faster i5 processor, a 500 GB 7200 rpm HD, a better sound option, and a N wireless card vs a G wireless card for $25 less.

In short, the laptop I ordered one month ago is becoming obsolete while I’m waiting for it. Of course, it’ll still be a nice computer, but it’s obviously losing value.

On the other hand, if I cancel this and order the one I just configured, I have no doubt Dell will delay that one too.

So, what to do: Wait one more week for the one I ordered? Cancel that one and order the slightly better and cheaper one I just configured? Or say ‘screw it’ to Dell and buy a Sony Vaio; very similar, but only available around here from Best Buy (ugh)?

Cancel it on principle.

I agree, but it shipped today.

After the first delay, Dell did upgrade the shipping from standard to overnight. So they fuckers finally managed to ship it. Today (Friday) with the holiday weekend, overnight means Tuesday.

So it’s too late to cancel, and the ‘overnight’ shipping which will actually take four days is the last little ‘fuck you’ from Dell.