Need Help Finding a Desktop Replacement..

[Shook1]

I'm pretty new to this Forum, but I have been browsing this site for over a year now trying to find a laptop; specifically as a Desktop Replacement. I have this thing about having buyers remorse and want a system to last a couple years. Here are my preferences:

1) What is your budget?

$900-$2000. I might even break the $2000 barrier up to, i'd say $2200 if the system is right.


2) What size notebook would you prefer?

Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen. I have considered a 15.4" screen, but I would need explainations as to why this would benefit me as I use a 17"+ monitor on a daily basis at work & previously at home.


3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?

Schoolwork on Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and occasional Access), Sound editing/recording (SoundForge, Acid Pro), Digital DJing (Serato Scratch Live), downloading legal music, surfing the web, and playing online poker (Pokerstars).


4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?

Mainly just leaving it on the desk, though I will transport when traveling (not very often; 1-2x a year).


5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?

I rarely play cpu games, but will be using extensive music software.


6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?

I've been researching a lot this past year and I really like the Macbook Pros and Sony AR series. I am leaning towards Sony as a non-Mac. As far as Mac, it doesnt have compatibility w/ certain poker sites so thats a prob. I have dealt with Dell in the past w/ my desktop cpus and I havent had the best experiences (3 crashed HDs in the last two years and a fried motherboard which is causing me to buy this laptop). So i havent had the best exp. w/ them. I'm open to other brands as well as i'm not too keen on laptop brands.


7) How many hours of battery life do you need?

3+ hours. Though it will be plugged in the wall most of the time, I guess a short battery life doesnt matter.


8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?

Sure. As long as the dealer is reputable.


9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in.

United States.


Screen Specifics

10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?

Either or. I dont really much know about the differences if someone could shed some light on it and what would be beneficial according to what I'm using it for. I'm looking for the most screen space as possible. Watching movies on my cpu isnt a big deal to me.


11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?

This really doesnt matter to me except when playing poker. I can fit more tables on the screen w/ better resolution. Again, whatever gives me the most space to work w/ music applications and poker playing.


12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?

I'm not sure of the up/downsides to each. If someone could school me on the differences that would be great.


Build Quality and Design

13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?

Not really. As long as its reliable and does the job without any hassle.


14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?

2-4 years possibly. I know cpus are always changing w/ the technology. Something that wont be obsolete in 2 years, how about that?


Notebook Components

15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 200GB?

At least 100GB. I am looking to buy an external HD to manage all of my music. I just need enough space to store the applications and possibly an extensive poker database to keep hand histories w/o lag time.

16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?

Preferably a DVD+R/W. Easy storage.


Any Help is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[ejl]

well, if you don't mind wsxga+, there is the hp dv9000t, asus z84j and w2j, and toshiba p105

[Dreamer]

If you want this notebook to last more, then check out the HP nx9420, it's a business-class notebook with great build quality and support.