Well, for what it's worth, I got a call that I would be getting the "upgrade" to the 4101, and I called back and said that would be fine. They said, though, that it might not ship until the beginning of November! Hopefully I'll get it soon.
Nothing to indicate that they'd be trying to charge an extra $300. That sounds pretty fishy. Personally, I have a rock-solid case against them, so they'd better not try anything fishy. Fishier than they already have, I should say: They charged my CC on October 1, but won't be shipping until November??? That's not right.
Anyhow, like another poster mentioned, I'll just wait for my laptop, dispute the extra charge (if they try that), and AMEX will back me up -- I've got plenty of proof (Including a voicemail message from a Staples CSR that discussed my order and says precisely: "All rebates and coupons will be honored for the upgraded model.").
--J