Help me find a laptop

[oshelef]

Hey all,

so I'm looking for a laptop, but I'm having a hard time meeting my needs. I'll carry this laptop nearly daily, so I'm looking at about 4 lbs (lighter, if I can do it, is always better.) But this is also my main computer so I'd like it to be sufficiently powerful (13"+ screen, with decent resolution (i.e. more than 800 vertical), ~2 ghz dual core). Oh, and decent battery life. Since I'll be carrying it often, it should be durable. While cheaper is better for the same thing, I'm willing to pay for quality.

But, so far, I haven't been able to find what I'm looking for. I've looked at the Thinkpad x301 series, the Dell e4300, the macbook air, the Sony Z. HP/Compaq don't seem to make any laptops in this range. Any other choices? Other Suggestions?

I'm keeping a comparison here:
http://spreadsheets.google.com...rJmKDdirtqW9NVS3AhYdYg

Thanks!

 

[Juked07]

I think the thinkpad looks the most attractive. You could try running a C2D processor at 1.4 and see if it's okay for your needs? (probably you can get a rough idea by downclocking a processor that you already have).

 

[slugg]

Thinkpad X200? No optical drive, but it meets ALL of your requirements. With a 9 cell battery, its roughly 3.6 lbs and boasts a ~9+ hour battery life. The 12" screen has the same resolution of normal 13" screens (1280x800). I just got one, so I'd be happy to answer any specific questions

Oh and keep in mind that the Thinkpad docking stations are second to none.

 

[oshelef]

I added the x200, but it doesn't really meet my needs. a) based on size (not resolution) alone 12.1" widescreen is just too small for my tastes. Remember, with the move to widescreen the area of the 12" screen is smaller than it was in 4:3. b) I'd like more than 1280x800 resolution. I edited the OP to be a bit more explicit on what i mean by resolution.

As for the c2d at 1.4, I'm actually pretty sure that's underpowered. I already do things that would occasionally push that cpu towards its max, I imagine in 2 years I'll be rather annoyed at its speed.

I understand so far the tradeoffs between the ones I've listed, any others I should add to the list?

 

[slugg]

The X200 starts at 2.26 ghz... Anyways, by the screen size criteria, the Dell E4200 is out of the question too. In fact, looks like ALL of them are ruled out except for the Sony Z series, in terms of specs. However, I personally wouldn't trust one of the new Sony laptops in terms of durability.

Seems like a tough choice for you... no matter what, you're going to have to sacrifice something :'(

 

[oshelef]

Originally posted by: slugg
The X200 starts at 2.26 ghz... Anyways, by the screen size criteria, the Dell E4200 is out of the question too. In fact, looks like ALL of them are ruled out except for the Sony Z series, in terms of specs. However, I personally wouldn't trust one of the new Sony laptops in terms of durability.

Seems like a tough choice for you... no matter what, you're going to have to sacrifice something :'(

Right, everything on my list is deficient somewhere. Are there any other laptops that should be on my list that aren't?

 

[oshelef]

I added the panasonic y8 to my list - but its unclear if it will be forsale here. any other thoughts?

 

[Cheesetogo]

You could get the X200S, which has the option for 1440x900.

 

[preslove]

What's your budget. You might be better off getting an EEE 1000H and a desktop. You'll spend the same amount of $, or less, and get WAY more functionality.

 

[oshelef]

Thanks for the suggestions!

The x200s might be an option. But I'd like a slightly larger screen. While the 1.86 ghz core2duo is a bit weaker than I'd like, it's certainly closer than the x300.

My budget is fairly large - I'd probably spend up to $3k if I found everything I wanted. Of course, I'd be much happier spending less, but I am willing to spend for features.

An EEE pc or similar isn't going to work - with or without a desktop. I will do the majority of my work on this laptop and not at my desk. -Hence my desire for both enough screen (size and resolution) and enough power in a portable package.