Ultralight lappy with 1920x1080 or higher, replaceable HDD, upgradable RAM?

[fuzzybabybunny]

You will more than likely have to go with a 15.6" screen at minimum to get the features you want. There just aren't any smaller options aside from a MacBook Pro with them avaible.

You are not going to like it but I'm tossing the MSI GE60 into the fray. Its designed as a gaming laptop so its 15.6", about 1.5" thick, comes in at about 5.3lbs, and battery life isn't great.

However:
1080P screen
Easy access to internals
Official support for 16GB of ram
Full fledged mobile i7 quad-core
open mSATA slot for SSD + 2.5" HDD bay for storage + an optical drive
Starts around $1000


Other options in the 15.6" range:
Lenovo Y580 - Lenovo's gaming laptop. Pretty much the same specs as the MSI however max supported ram is 8GB(though some people have had success with 16GB) and it weighs more at about 6lbs.
Lenovo W530 - Best professional 15.6" option. Multiple quad-core i7 options(up to extreme editions), 1080P screen w/ 95% RBG Gamut , up to 32GB of ram(4-dimms), mSATA slot + 2.5" drive slot + optical drive or additional HDD w/ bay adapter, Kepler based NV Quadro options, huge 9-cell battery, Windows 7 or 8. Biggest con is that it is heavy, around 6lbs and bulky even by 15.6" standards because of the battery. Another con is price: starts $1400 in base config with quad core, 320GB HDD, 8GB ram, and a 1080P screen. Review
Asus U500/UX51 - thin ultrabook like 15.6", only 4lbs with 8-cell battery, 1080P IPS screen, up to 12GB of ram, base model has dual 128GB SSDs. Limited to ULV dual-core i7, limited availability, and expensive: starting around $2k.

Thanks for the recommendations, but I really can't do 15" anymore. I have a 15" right now and it's extremely difficult to backpack with.

 

[MiataPaul]

I wish I could

I currently have a 15" Sony and I've come to realize that 15" is just too big for travel/backpacking. Weighs 4.5lb like the Vaio S and doesn't fit in any kind of a small pack or bag.

I really need that 1920x1080 too for my video and photo work.

If you are doing video/photo work then I think the answer is not to worry too much as all laptop screens are pretty lame, and just get an external IPS monitor for photo/video work and get something that is small and light that will fit in the backpack. 1920x1080 is really not enough for photo work if you are using a DSLR. Go external and go big!

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

If you are doing video/photo work then I think the answer is not to worry too much as all laptop screens are pretty lame, and just get an external IPS monitor for photo/video work and get something that is small and light that will fit in the backpack. 1920x1080 is really not enough for photo work if you are using a DSLR. Go external and go big!

Wait, so you want me to get a small and light laptop AND an external monitor and put it all in my backpack while traveling?

13-14" at 1920x1080 is fine for photo work. I'm looking for a highly mobile and light work machine.

 

[stateofmind]

maybe you should wait half a year - seriously
or just keep in mind that you can buy now, sell later and buy another one.

 

[marcplante]

When you get as specialized as video editing, it's tough.

Lenovo Y480 perhaps? they have dedicated graphics cards and the power you're looking for. I think they also have the 1080 screens you're looking for.

Otherwise, I'm happy with my Asus N56, it's gonne be too much of a porker at 5.9 lbs. though.