My daughter's birthday is coming up, and I'd like to get her the
Toshiba Portege A100 - 0056W Laptop for her birthday. How much does it
typically cost in North America, inclusive of taxes? I want to get it
from a store that has chains across Canada or the US, not some back
alley store that at some specific address in some specific
state/province.

You may not find it in your average Best Buy or Circuit City, as it
doesn't seem to be a current model listed on Toshiba's Notebook site..
http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/clin.to?rcid=-26367&coid=-26368&ccid=1291021&seg=HHO&sel=0

Of course, depending where you are, mail order is going to help you
save 6% or more of the price...

I am not a Google Answers Researcher.

Let me suggest this to you when purchasing a laptop.
Do you really want Toshiba?
Can you find something more direct and easier to deal with?

My two answers to anyone purchasing a new computer for the sake of
money alone is go to these web sites:
www.slickdeals.net
www.xpbargains.com
www.dealcatcher.com

Now it may take a couple of days to roll about, but ive seen deals on
a daily basis. The people who make your pcs are from Dell. Dell has
great customer service from what I heard. And in the future, I plan to
buy a laptop from Dell using the great deals that are listed on those
3 websites i explained. Why pay 1500 dollars for a laptop with less
options than a laptop that costs 450$ with more options? Toshiba is a
great laptop. I'm not saying there not. I encourage people to buy with
these deals, and these deals only. Check daily, because these deals
die withing the day sometimes!

One other comment. Look at Best Buy's price (if they have this pc in stock.)
If they do, check the price, and the amount of extras that come with it.
Now go to Circuit City. Do they have the laptop? If they do, these
people work on commission. They break prices for you. If you know
sears as much as I do, they will tear the price of anything down for
you to buy it. Sears may have what you are looking for, and at a great
price.