Notebook for University

[bakto]

1) What is your budget?
Up to 1500-1600

2) What size notebook would you prefer?
14"-15"

3) Where will you buying this notebook? You can select the flag of your country as an indicator.
Canada

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

a. Like: Dell, Asus
b. Dislike: Acer

5) Would you consider laptops that are refurbished/redistributed?
Preferably new

6) What are the primary tasks will you be performing with this notebook?
Internet, some gaming, multimedia

7) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places, leaving it on your desk or both?
Both

8) Will you be playing games on your notebook? If so, please state which games or types of games?
Yes, strategy RPGs, League of Legends; doesn't have to run Crysis

9) How many hours of battery life do you need?
More than 4

10) Would you prefer to see the notebooks you're considering before purchasing it or buying a notebook on-line without seeing it is OK?
Online is fine

11) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista or Windows 7), Mac OS, Linux, etc.
Windows 7

Screen Specifics

12) From the choices below, what screen resolution(s) would you prefer? Keep in mind screen size in conjunction with resolution will play a large role in overall viewing comfort level. Everyone is different. Some like really small text, while others like their text big and easy to read. Click here for Screen resolution information.

1680x1050 or above

13) Do you want a Glossy/reflective screen or a Matte/non-glossy screen?
Matte, although both would work

Build Quality and Design

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

15) When are you buying this laptop?
Can wait until late August

16) How long do you want this laptop to last?
4 years

Notebook Components

17) How much hard drive space do you need; 80GB to 640GB? Do you want a SSD drive?
If I get a SSD drive, I'll also use an external hard drive, so HDD space isn't too important

18) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD Burner, Blu-ray Reader or Blu-Ray Burner?
Would be nice, but don't need one

The Dell XPS 14 and 15 ultrabook leaks look like they would fulfill my entire list; but does anyone know a tentative release date?
I've also been looking into the Dell XPS 15z; not an ultrabook, but it would still check off my list. Will Dell ever outfit it with ivy bridge?

[ZaZ]

The HP dv6 might be worth a look. It's got an especially sumptuous LCD.

[bakto]

I took a look at the Dv6 and it looks quite nice; I also went in store and liked the Sony Vaio S-Series today.

I would honestly be happy with any of those models (I think), but the Dell ultrabooks look so nice. Pertaining to the Dv6 though, to my knowledge HP has a less than stellar reputation, which would hold me back on that. Is HP trustworthy?

[ZaZ]

Can I tell you nothing is going to happen to your notebook? No, but I'd say HP is not significantly better or worse than any other maker offering similar notebooks. You tend to hear the horror stories, which makes it seem worse than it is. If you want to get the on-site support if that's offered in Canada, it tends to be better than the mail-in in my experience. The Vaio SE might be worth a look too.

[bakto]

You're right.

While browsing around the boards I found the Dell XPS 15 L521x, which would also be nice...

I think my problem boils down to ultrabooks. The laptop market is trending towards ultrabooks, so will "traditional" laptops be outdated in coming years? I know ultrabooks are just glorified laptops, but I don't want to be outdated the day I buy a laptop.

Thanks for the help.

[pepper_john]

Ultrabooks often have less powerful cpu than the regular ones. But if you do want one, there is also the thinkpad X1 carbon coming in August

[gamerish]

Ultrabooks won't be outdating traditional laptops anytime soon. They tend to, as pepper_john said, have less powerful CPUs and you're very hard-pressed to find one with dedicated graphics (at least, that's even worth having).

[bakto]

After a few days of searching the internet, I've decided to wait until Dell releases their next models.

Perhaps a more appropriate question instead of being outdated would be would there be any advantage for a traditional laptop versus an ultrabook if they had the same specs? The ultrabook would be thinner and lighter but would cost more, right? (Specifically the rumoured Dell L521X vs Dell XPS 15 Ultrabook with the same specs.)

[MX5J6]

Yes typically ultrabooks cost more, they also do not have optical drives. i believe this is so for all ultrabooks? Correct me if i am wrong.

This is why I will be getting a normal notebook, I like optical drives because I still enjoy playing CD's in the car that I burned and watching good ol' DVD's. Maybe Blu Rays, not sold entirely yet. v.v

[bakto]

Yeah, the optical drive bit is definitely a factor. I think I saw a model with one, but I'm not too sure.

Other than that though, is it just the cost? I'm sorry for asking so many questions, but this is quite a big investment, and I'd like to gather as much information as possible before purchase.