Looking for a desktop replacement laptop

[anabellita]

Hi everybody, I need to replace my desktop, and for practical reasons, it will have to be a laptop. Thing is, I can't seem to find anything that will fit my needs:

* IPS screen that is ideally 21inches, but at least 18 and HD -this is the hardest thing to find. Nobod,y seems to be normally manufacturing beyond 15.6'', and only rarely 17''

* good and fast processor, but there won't be any gaming involved. Major use will be browsing, Skype, office applications (lots of excel, hence the need for a large screen), video (again, nice large screen) and light photo applications

* cool and quiet (this will go in the baby's room who will need to sleep, it's also why it has to be a laptop - need to avoid a lot of cables, and to allow taking the computer with me to the living room on occasion)

* SSD. size would preferably be at least 500 gb - but I guess I can live with an additional external hard drive if really necessary

* good keyboard

* good sound

* hdmi out

* webcam

* windows based

Since the computer will rarely leave the house, weight is not an issue. Got an ipad and a netbook for use on the go, and that's more than enough for now. I can deal with the weight the few times when the other two gadgets won't do. But of course, why deny it, sleek and pretty can also be a bonus *blush*.

Budget is in the EUR 1000-1200 range (USD 1300-1600), but can increase slightly if there is a real sweet point to be found.

Can you please help me out here? I'm due to deliver in 3 weeks and can't possibly be bothered with searching once the baby has arrived....

 

[kbp]

Go to Lenovo's website / Dell's web and custom build.

 

[God Mode]

Slim pickings with your budget. A refurb Dell M6700 is your best bet. You would need to buy and install an SSD separately.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELL-PRECIS...04973703?pt=Laptops_Nov05&hash=item3380d80887

 

[frozentundra123456]

Hook it up to an external monitor. Sounds like you really don't need anything that powerful except for wanting a large screen. Using an external mornitor would only require a power cord and one short cord from the laptop to the monitor.

 

[anabellita]

Thanks for all the answers. Will try them out. Thought about keeping my monitor, but it sure I have enough space on the table... Will kee you posted!

 

[corkyg]

For a screen thatsize it has to be an external monitor to a laptop. Have you considered an all-in-one with large touchscreen?

 

[anabellita]

Thanks for that indeed, after a visit to a few electronics stores, I came back precisely to see what you guys thought of that option, and lo and behold, looks like it wasn't just a foolish idea I dreamed up! It's quite comforting

Something like sony's vaio tap 20 seems to look like it could work for both desktop use and occasional travel to the living room without having to carry a whole lot of gear with me. reviews aren't ecstatic, though... *sigh* So if need be, I can also live with taking the electric cable/plug with me...

Which AIO do you prefer/recommend? Please recall the issue of space, cables and noise.... Would appreciate of you could recommend a performant windows-based machine with a good screen, integrated webcam and mike, and low noise (probably don't need discreet GPU, right? So the less fans the better).

EDIT: screen resolution on the vaio is 1600*900. Isn't that a bit of a weird spec?

 

[marcplante]

Problem with that Sony is that it will never work as a *lap*top if you want to sit in a chair and tinker. you will need a table top to set up the monitor, etc. to work. Many of us have done fairly involved spreadsheet work on the current line of notebooks. The working space is parfectly adequate unless you regularly need to see multiple windows simultaneously, in which case you probably want a 24, or you can use your notebook monitor as one screen and a smallish external monitor as a separate workspace.

For video applications. I tend to plug our computer into our TV using an HDMI cable or, if you have a DLNA TV or Blu ray box, you can stream using an application (Yes, I just added complexity for a hormonal, pregnant woman who just wants a SIMPLE solution. Did the same thing to my wife

Do you have access to tech resources? A decent computer retailer? In many cases it would be cheaper to buy an SSD aftermarket and upgrade yourself as Menufacturers charge a premium for this, though you might want to simplify your life by throwing money at the problem.

Lenovo's Y 580 series is a bit overpowered in the graphics department, but you can turn off the extra capabilities and still have very good battery life. It also matters how lenovo support is in your area. Lenovo also has dual drive bays that would let you have a smaller SSD for speed and a larger HD for storage. They could talk you through a custom build to suit your needs, and they regularly mark down their machines heavily.

 

[EliteRetard]

Alienware M18x
Acer Ethos
Asus K93/95 series and NX90 series (theres like 6 total)

Are all fairly modern (sandy bridge or newer) 18"+ laptops that should still be available for purchase. Problem is the price range is closer to $1600. I think they all have 1080p monitors so they will actually display more than that 20" Sony.

 

[jaedaliu]

I think Dell just came up with an 18" AIO that you can take off the stand and use it as a giant tablet.

Just checked my e-mail. they called it the Dell XPS 18.

 

[God Mode]

Just buy a nice laptop and a standalone LCD. You can place the laptop behind the monitor horizontally and hardly notice it. More versatile than a AIO.