Help Shopping for Laptop

[mallik]

Sorry, I know there are a bunch of these types of threads already but I was looking for some help in getting a new laptop.

Basically what I am looking for is something to watch videos/HD media and general everyday use. I would like something with Sandy Bridge, HDMI, an SSD, and a high quality screen.

I would like to spend around 700-800. Cheaper would be better but I understand if that's not realistic. I would like to keep it under 1000. I am located in Canada but will be coming down to the US next week if there are some good deals to be had there.

 

[mallik]

Looking around, the Y460 and Y560 look interesting mainly because of the RapidDrive feature.

Is this just software that manages the data between the two drives so that it runs efficiently? Is there 3rd party software comparable to RapidDrive that can be used with other brand laptops?

 

[TheStu]

Anything you buy will be sufficient for HD and everyday use. You don't need a dedicated card for that sort of thing.

Most will have HDMI, if it is intel and not too bottom of the barrel you can expect it to have Sandy Bridge as well.

What size/resolution screen are you looking for?

 

[mallik]

Thanks. I was thinking 14/15" screen because I figure a 17" would be too big but I haven't really ever used a 17" so maybe I find that I will like it.

A good quality display is pretty important for me. As for resolution, I'm not entirely sure. Is 1920x1080 considered 1080p? Because some say that 1920x1200 is really 1080p. It's a little confusing.

I found somebody here selling an Envy 17 with "full HD" display. Seems like a pretty good deal (around $1000) but I'm hoping to get some opinions on whether this laptop is a good buy.

 

[fralexandr]

i don't think you'll get any screen better than normal without paying >$1000.
the cheapest good panel notebook would probably be the dell xps 15 with upgraded screen (1920x1080 FHD B+RG LED), $850 before tax after coupon.
932N$0ZCCHWZB9 coupon code $100 off
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...l_id=xps-l502x

you can replace the HDD with an SSD on your own if you wish, otherwise it's going to be hard to find a good LCD and SSD for <=$1000.
you can probably get a kingston 120 or 100 GB or something in budget

you could try looking at the macbook air maybe, but that's $1000 base, 11" screen, and you'll probably need to get a thunderbolt to HDMI adapter (<$20 shipped)
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10428&cs_id=1042802&p_id=8119&seq=1&format=2

the macbook air is portable, comes with SSD, and has a good screen
the xps 15 is a more capable machine, but you have to add your own SSD and is larger

screen comparison
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4274/dell-xps-15-l502x-now-with-sandy-bridge/6

sorry i didn't post about this earlier, but the dell wasn't for sale then anyway :S

 

[TheStu]

The Envy systems were pretty good in general, and should be plenty of computer for what you are looking to do.

1080p is 1920*1080. 1920*1200 will obviously support 1080p.

 

[fralexandr]

some of these coupons might work if you plan on going with an envy 14, but i can't find one with the radiance screen at hp's website http://slickdeals.net/coupons/?do=search&q=hp