Advice for a Student Laptop

[someonelse]

First off, thank you for taking the time to read and/or respond to my thread. I greatly appreciate any suggestions or advice on the matter. Will be following this thread closely. First time posting

Here is want I for my laptop(in order of importance):

-good battery life/screen/keyboard/track-pad
-good build(I like brushed aluminum), lightweight/portable(don't care about screen size , as long as it has good res)
-budget budget budget
-the ability to play sc2
-at least 3 usb ports
-budget budget budget

What I will use it for: In college right now so I will have it with me every day. I want/need to use programs like Onenote[for note taking might get peripherals for its more adv features later], eclipse[java], active-hdl[verilog; do use sim.], notepad+, mat-lab, origins[graphing software]. I would like it to be able to play sc2 with good frame rates at native resolution on minimum settings so I can play on vaction [prob most intensive thing on the list]. I have a good desktop for more intensive cpu/gpu/screenspace things(solidworks etc).

The minimum for all these things is fine. I don't want to feel like I need to hang on to this laptop for more then 3-4 years.

Was thinking maybe something like this http://usa.asus.com/Notebooks/Superior_Mobility/U45Jc/

Was thinking about getting my lapyop on cyber-Monday but might very well wait for the spring. Is there anything in the future that I should wait for?

 

[corkyg]

Have you looked in your college book store? There are often some very good deals there.

 

[fralexandr]

i personally <3 the asus u36sd

 

[ThatsABigOne]

What is your budget. I know that you are trying to have the lowest cost, but what is price that is most reasonable to you?

I am a MSI X460DX - 006 user.

 

[superccs]

If you plan on carrying around your laptop to all your classes you are not going to want to play SC2 on it, and visa versa.

Best bet would be netbook for class and decent 15" for home/serious stuff.

My gf hates lugging around her 2yr old C2D3.0Ghz 14" inspiron (which wasn't even that heavy), now that I got her a dell mini.

 

[someonelse]

Have you looked in your college book store? There are often some very good deals there.

Unfortunately it is quite the opposite at my school. We do have a dell educational store tho. Does dell make any models that fit the bill?

What is your budget. I know that you are trying to have the lowest cost, but what is price that is most reasonable to you?

Below a thousand pref.(or near if it is worth it). How do you like your MSI?

If you plan on carrying around your laptop to all your classes you are not going to want to play SC2 on it, and visa versa.
Best bet would be netbook for class and decent 15" for home/serious stuff.

That is a good idea, I actually have a net-book(asus 1005ha)/desktop setup right now. My net-book is doing OK, except for a few minor issues. I like it. So why not get a cheap bigger laptop?
-My net-book doesn't handle alot of the programs I need to use in class(mathematica; the sim feature of active-hdl; etc[for real, the list goes on & on lol]).
-I find that I simply need a higher resolution to be effective.
-I find that even simple programs(powerpoint, Onenote) give me a hard time when I am multitasking.
-I tend to go on alot of trips

The netbook is great for browsing the web, writing an essay, taking simple text note(my notes are multimedia in nature). l really want something with a bit more power and I feel that if I got a bulky laptop I would end up dragging that around anyways on my trips and to class because it would be less of a headache then trying to use my netbook.

______________________________________________________

I do not think I need that much power the sc2 thing is optional, I visit my brothers in Chicago often and would really enjoy playing with them.

It also needs to be something sturdy, my books(around 45 pounds) have messed up the screen on my netbook(plastic). I think aluminium would be the best choice. I have had bad experiences with titanium/magnesium laptops. Plus I feel retarded wearing a suit and using a 11 inch plastic netbook at business meetings.

My focus is on it being as portable as possible. With as much power as I can get without effecting my first objective.

 

[someonelse]

i personally <3 the asus u36sd

That looks really good the specs are awesome . Is the frame matte plastic, does it feel sturdy? How is the keyboard flex? How does the feedback compare to a mechanical keyboard? Does the track-pad behave well(does what you want it to)? finally how is the screen? are there any patches that are distinct from the rest of the screen? Are the darks good? How is it in sunlight?

You dont need to answer everything lol. thx in advance for your attempt.

 

[fralexandr]

That looks really good the specs are awesome . Is the frame matte plastic, does it feel sturdy? How is the keyboard flex? How does the feedback compare to a mechanical keyboard? Does the track-pad behave well(does what you want it to)? finally how is the screen? are there any patches that are distinct from the rest of the screen? Are the darks good? How is it in sunlight?

You dont need to answer everything lol. thx in advance for your attempt.

heh i don't own one, it's just the notebook i would buy today (had i not purchased the alienware m11x r1 a while back)

 

[someonelse]

haha, anyone own a asus u36sd that would like to share? Is there anything comparable on the market?