Call the manufacturer (Score 1)

I dont know about you guys; but I would probably lowlevel format the stolen laptop. Reinstall windows after, then connect the laptop to the internet through my IP. Theres not that many ways to get around older stolen laptops. Today though there are ways to retrieve stolen laptops, iPods etc. Call the manufacturer. This is true for Apple at least. You know when you install itunes, it displays the serial number of the ipod. When you connect to the internet it phones home to Apple. As long as you know the serial number you can retrieve your goods... So as long as they are not at an internet cafe :P