I am the defendant in a small claims case. The plaintiff has proof that I damaged his laptop. The laptop is 2 1/2 years old. He wants me to pay him close to what it costs new ($1300) or buy a new laptop close to what it cost him new. I can find the same model of laptop used and working on ebay for under $400. I can also find new laptops exceeding his laptop's specifications for below $600. I talked with him to settle out of court, but he insists on gouging me. Can I be off the hook for buying a used laptop of the same model and having it inspected to proof it's in working order? Would I be off the hook if I bought a better laptop than his even if he refuses to accept anything but the most over-priced? Am I required to replace it with something from a local store or can I use something from the internet that costs much less? I would also like to convince him to take the amount dispute to arbitration rather than court. I live in the state of Arizona.