13"-14" notebook for about $900

[NotoriousJTC]

[Edit: I edited the thread title to reflect a new higher budget target of $900, from the previous $700]

Hi guys,

Doing some research on a new notebook for my gf. She's been using a 7 year old laptop that's slow, noisy and heavy, and i want to help her find a new one. The budget's about $900 usd, only requirements are that it's light, reliable, and if at all possible packing an i5 processor (i know given the budget that'll be tough). I may consider going a bit over budget if there's a gem sitting there.


Any help is appreciated. Cheers!


What is your budget?
$900 aprrox.

What size notebook do you prefer?
Thin and Light (13 - 14-inch screen)

What brands do you like or dislike?
Dislike: Acer

Would you consider a refurbished laptop?
Maybe

What are the primary tasks you need this notebook for?
Web Surfing, Office and Productivity Software, Listening to Music, Movie Streaming and Viewing, Casual Gaming

Where will you be using this laptop?
Will be used different places

How many hours of battery life do you need?
5

Will you be buying online or in store?
online or in store

Which OS do you prefer?
Windows 7

List the screen resolutions that interest you:
Standard Resolution (1366 x 768)
High Resolution (1600 x 900)
Max Resolution (1920 x 1080)

Do you prefer a glossy or matte screen?
Glossy or Matte is fine

Is the laptops design important to you?
No

Approximately what date will you be buying this laptop?
Around 08/31/2012

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

How much storage capacity do you need?
500 GB

Are you interested in SSD for storage?
Maybe

Do you want a built-in optical drive, what type?
No

[NotoriousJTC]

Sorry guys just a quick bump..

Been looking at the Lenovo U310. It seems like a decent option, but i am a bit turned off by some reviews claiming poor screen brightness/quality and low resolution, along with poor battery life.


Any other options i should be considering?

[oinkmooblah]

With your budget, it'll be difficult to find a higher-res screen in a 13-14 inch form factor. The problem with the U310 is that people are expecting stellar screen quality from a budget ultrabook. So long as your girlfriend hasn't handled a high-density IPS display in the past and doesn't do professional photo-editing work, it should suit her perfectly fine (I'm using a U300s right now, with nearly the exact same screen). Just don't expect to use the laptop outside. :/

An alternative is the HP Envy 4, which is basically $650 for the i5 configuration after selling the free Xbox 360 on Amazon (provided either of you have an .edu email address). The screen is equally average, so it's a matter of personal preference of the chassis at that point. Good luck with the decision!

[Euclid_Mpls]

check out the dell latitude series at the outlet - the e6420 can be found is some great configs for very cheap and they all come with a 3 yr warranty. Make sure and get the 1600 x 900 screen on a 14 inch laptop though. for 15 inch go for 1920 x 1080.

[Colpolite]

Looks like the asus u46sm-ds71 is for you or the msi x460.

[pepper_john]

you can also consider thinkpad E430. It's well built and quite a decent all-round notebook.

[NotoriousJTC]

With your budget, it'll be difficult to find a higher-res screen in a 13-14 inch form factor. The problem with the U310 is that people are expecting stellar screen quality from a budget ultrabook. So long as your girlfriend hasn't handled a high-density IPS display in the past and doesn't do professional photo-editing work, it should suit her perfectly fine (I'm using a U300s right now, with nearly the exact same screen). Just don't expect to use the laptop outside. :/

An alternative is the HP Envy 4, which is basically $650 for the i5 configuration after selling the free Xbox 360 on Amazon (provided either of you have an .edu email address). The screen is equally average, so it's a matter of personal preference of the chassis at that point. Good luck with the decision!

Thanks, i will have a look at HP Envy 4 for sure. Are you reffering to the 'Sleekbook' model or the ultrabook version?

Looks like the asus u46sm-ds71 is for you or the msi x460.

I am having a hard tracking down any info on the Asus "u46sm-ds71", did you mean "u46sm-ds51", by any chance?

[Colpolite]

Yep notorious.

[NotoriousJTC]

First, my thanks to the members who have previously replied, i have looked into all suggestions and taken them into consideration. Second, after discussing again with my gf it appears our budget may be increasing, from the original target of $700 USD, to $900.

With that said, i have made edits to the thread title, and while i realize the increase is not exactly going to make an enormous difference, i would like to again open up this thread for any additional suggestions that may be passed along.

Cheers

[MGow7]

You can get a dv4t-5100 with i7 for that. Only downfall of the machine is 768 screen. For 900 you could also get a gt 630m or 650m.