Please Help Me Chose and UltraBook for School

[AnimalMother]

I have a Y580 coming but it's actually to replace my desktop so I wanted something more portable for the reasons in the list below. I do'nt know how relaible/portable the Y580 is so I need a bit smaller as soon as possible. Fast shipping and I am thinking newest tech but BUDGET(asking too much?). I really need help I plan on buying it soon. Gaming is not priority. Thanks guys, help a fellow human being out. I really appreciate it.

Replies in BOLD.

General Questions

1) What is your budget?
$500 Maybe $600

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

b. Ultraportable; 11" - 12” screen
c. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen

3) Where will you buying this notebook? You can select the flag of your country as an indicator.
United States(San Francisco, CA)

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
b. Dislike: Anything Unreliable

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

6) What are the primary tasks will you be performing with this notebook?
Word Processing, Internet, YouTube, Movie(1080i settings sometimes)/Music, Maybe CAD, Spreadsheets. Gaming is negligible but anything the power on an Intel HD 4000 is fine.

7) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places, leaving it on your desk or both?
Huge traveler daily to school and maybe work.

8) Will you be playing games on your notebook? If so, please state which games or types of games?
Gaming is not priority.

9) How many hours of battery life do you need?
At least 2

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?
As long as the ultrabook is symmetrical looking like a macbook and no bulging and oblong like a Y580 I am fine without seeing it.

11) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista or Windows 7), Mac OS, Linux, etc.
Windows 7(Going to get 8) or MAC OS(doubt I can find a Mac for cheap lol)

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.
It's whatever lol. I like how it is on a macbook. Or my desktop.

13) Do you want a Glossy/reflective screen or a Matte/non-glossy screen?
Glossy, like a macbook. I prefer glossy but it's not required.

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Yes, I want it too look as symmetrical as a macbook/macbook air.

15) When are you buying this laptop?
Today hopefully

16) How long do you want this laptop to last?
4 years possibly 6

Notebook Components

17) How much hard drive space do you need; 80GB to 640GB? Do you want a SSD drive?
80gb is fine and SSD is a HUGE+ as long as it's reliable SSD.

18) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD Burner, Blu-ray Reader or Blu-Ray Burner?
All I need is a USB.

[Kuroi-Tsubasa]

Probably the most reliable 11" would be the Thinkpad X120e or X130e. Has either an E-350 (120e) or E-450 (130e) and AMD integrated graphics. Keyboard's great for such a small laptop, display is nice, and battery life will last you for awhile. The X130e is basically a X120e with "armor plating", as the following review puts it. You can find the X120e in the ~$350 range, and the X130e in the $470-$550 range for a well-equipped model.

X120e: http://www.laptopreviews.com/lenovo-...review-2012-02

X130e: http://www.laptopreviews.com/lenovo-...review-2012-02

[AnimalMother]

Well, I looked at it and it really doesn't fit my specs. I do appreciate the posting though.

EDIT: I am looking into the X130e now.

I found this:
Asus Ultrabook

It's pretty close. Anyone know anything better for the money?

[Kuroi-Tsubasa]

What do you mean? It fits your specs just fine, and the only one with might conflict (playing movies in 1080p) is a moot point since no laptop in your budget has a 1080p display.

Funny how you bring up Acer and say you want reliability

Another reliable option (that's also more powerful than my last suggestion) would be for you to find a refurbished HP Elitebook 2530p, or -40p (though it's slightly bigger at 12.5", though it's not too noticeable).

[AnimalMother]

What do you mean? It fits your specs just fine, and the only one with might conflict (playing movies in 1080p) is a moot point since no laptop in your budget has a 1080p display.

Funny how you bring up Acer and say you want reliability

Another reliable option (that's also more powerful than my last suggestion) would be for you to find a refurbished HP Elitebook 2530p, or -40p (though it's slightly bigger at 12.5", though it's not too noticeable).

Uh oh, what do you know about Acers reliability?
They are very pretty... And it seemed fast.
I was all over slickdeals, I have no experience with Acer honestly. Oorah

[Kuroi-Tsubasa]

Laptop Reliability Ratings: Which Laptop is Really Most Reliable?

*Note that this is for consumer-class laptops, and doesn't count for business-class laptops (like the Thinkpad I mentioned).

[Bronsky]

Uh oh, what do you know about Acers reliability?
They are very pretty... And it seemed fast.
I was all over slickdeals, I have no experience with Acer honestly. Oorah

Acer's 11.6" notebooks are very reliable. It's timelines and travelmates are also very reliable. The S3 is a piece of crap IMO. It flexes all over the place, the display is poor and so is the build quality.

If all you need is a small travel unit, I would look at some of the less expensive 11.6" or 12.5" units. You can pick up a refurbished Dell vostro V131 with Sandybridge from the outlet on clearance. http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineS...=28&l=en&s=dfb& brandid=2801&fid=8585

[AnimalMother]

What about the HP Folio?
I liked the Acer Specs at although a little lower then expected it was doable.
I wont get the Acer, but for a 500-600 budget I am searching slickdeals and that's where I found the Acer.

I found this.
What you guys think?
I am a bit afraid of SSD drives though.

[Bronsky]

What about the HP Folio?
I liked the Acer Specs at although a little lower then expected it was doable.
I wont get the Acer, but for a 500-600 budget I am searching slickdeals and that's where I found the Acer.

I found this.
What you guys think?
I am a bit afraid of SSD drives though.

HP Folio is a nice unit. Good battery, adequate display and better than average keyboard. The one you link to is a sandybridge unit but the price is great. SSD drives are generally more reliable than conventional drives. I would not be afraid of them, I would insist on one. You found a great deal.

[Kuroi-Tsubasa]

I also would recommend the SSD as well. There's nothing to be afraid of with a SSd, with the only practical issue being "does it offer the GB I want?". They're not only more reliable than mechanical drives, but are stupid fast compared to them as well.

I'll pitch in a good word for the Folio as well. The machine itself is nice, though I'm not certain if HP has a different support team for that unit or if they lump it into their crap-tastic regular customer support. The chances of you needing repairs (on any laptop) are pretty unlikely, however.