Need a new notebook ASAP, recommendations please.

[boomhower]

I woke up this morning and my notebook won't turn, no power at all.(Dell Studio) So I'm stuck on an iPad and it just doesn't cut it for my computing needs. I'm not to picky but here's what I'm looking for:

~15"
1080 resolution highly preferred but not a deal breaker
Backlit keyboard is a must
Decent build quality
Ivy Bridge preferred but I know that may not be doable as the pickings are slim
Must be a quad
I'd like to keep it under $1200 and the cheaper the better
Integrated graphics are fine

Thoughts?

 

[wb182]

Found it tough to find something. Best I could come up with is this:

HP dv6tqe:

Ivy Bridge i7-3610QM
GT 630M Graphics
8GB RAM
1TB HDD
$150 upgrade to 1080p
$25 upgrade for Backlit keyboard
-------
$1325
-$250 instant rebate
-----
$1075

 

[Shmee]

Did you enter the MSI notebook giveaway? 😀 It looks like a good one.

 

[boomhower]

The timing of this just sucks, almost everyone is in the middle of changing over to IB. I know the difference isn't huge but I just can't bring myself to pay full price for tech that's being phased out. I had looked at the HP's and they seem to be the most hardware for the $ but their build quality or lack there of is concerning. I really want a Samsung Series 7 but it's going to be a couple weeks before the new models are out. This sucks.

 

[wb182]

I've been *seriously* tempted by the Series 7 myself...to the point that I'm looking at it regularly on Amazon. My problem is that the 17.3" is much higher quality than the 15.6" from what I've read, so it makes me not even want the 15.6".

The 15.6" isn't quite out yet, but the 17.3" absolutely is, if you can handle a bigger screen.

It was about $100-$150 cheaper on Amazon a week ago, but i think demand is high and supply is low (it's also at Best Buy, but I think it's sold out in just about every store).
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Series...I35JXO1DB1LJSE

 

[boomhower]

I've been *seriously* tempted by the Series 7 myself...to the point that I'm looking at it regularly on Amazon. My problem is that the 17.3" is much higher quality than the 15.6" from what I've read, so it makes me not even want the 15.6".

The 15.6" isn't quite out yet, but the 17.3" absolutely is, if you can handle a bigger screen.

It was about $100-$150 cheaper on Amazon a week ago, but i think demand is high and supply is low (it's also at Best Buy, but I think it's sold out in just about every store).
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Series...I35JXO1DB1LJSE

Actually the 15" is out, you just have to search for the model number. The cheaper one is available now and the more expensive one not quite yet. But the specs aren't on the samsung site yet so exact specs are a bit foggy.

$1099 available now.

$1299 pre-order.

I decided against it though. They used the same screen again and the viewing angles are atrocious. Early feedback is the touchpad still sucks and wifi capability is still up in the air, on the last ones it was bad. I don't understand how Sammy makes some of the best screen in the industry but sticks a crappy one in their premier notebook.

I decided on an Asus N56VM. I got it for $1200 from B&H Photo. It ticks all the right boxes. For similar money to the Samsung it's got a 1080P screen, BR, and a better GPU. The GPU is largely useless to me but it is what it is. The Sammy does have vastly superior battery life. Only thing I can figure is the Asus doesn't have Optima. Hopefully there will be a way I can essentially turn off the video card. My Dell only had the integrated Intel HD graphics and it was more than sufficient for my uses. Keeps things cool and quiet. Pretty much hit all my desired specs but maxed out the price range. Total was $1230 since I paid extra for 2 day shipping. Should have it Wednesday.

 

[robertdrumm]

...