Need help finding laptop for travel

[justinj6]

I have a BenQ Joybook 121 netbook with 11 1/2 inch screen. I use it just for travel when working away from home. I'm traveling more and am finding the netbook a bit underpowered and the screen a bit too small for extended work or surfing. I very much like it for its size and weight which was sufficient when I traveled occasionally. I'm figuring I could go to the 13.3" size, still keep it on the small and light side and satisfy my need for a larger viewable screen.

I use the laptop half of the time for viewing movies and tv series. I would like to get an IPS screen as I understand these would have the best picture quality. As mentioned, would like to keep weight down and have sufficient power to run Windows 7, Microsoft Office, use Skype for international calling, browse web and download movies. Work primarily with headphones and use webcam for the calls. I found the Atom processor not up to the Skype demand on the BenQ. Longer battery life is desirable as I occasionally have long international flights.

Prefer to keep budget down around $500. Would like to be around that if it cuts it, but can be flexible if higher price is required.

Laptops are not a strong suit for me so would appreciate any suggestions. I would also prefer a laptop that is upgradeable, so would consider one with a HDD and when SSD's drop sufficiently put a larger one in.

Not sure about which CPU is sufficient for my needs and whether Sandybridge does it or should I go to Ivy. More of an Intel fan.

Thanks in advance. Always have gotten good help in the Anand Forum.
Justin

 

[crab0]

Might be able to find an older Lenovo X(XXX), current one is X230. It has a $50 upgrade to IPS http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/c...C4965EE083D306

But they aren't cheap 🙁

There have been some ultrabook sales but they tend to stay around $700+ but there are an AMD "ultrabooks" http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-NP535U...6768075&sr=1-3

Not $50 but $630 while still being thin and light (3.4 lbs)

There is the Acer Aspire V5 http://www.cnet.com/laptops/acer-aspire-v5-171/4505-3121_7-35412281.html but the battery life and heat sound really bad so I don't think it'd be a good choice.

I personally had an Acer Ferrari One that had performance in between a C-60 and a E-350 series and I could do everything you listed unless the movies you watch are really high quality (ex. 10 bit HD would lag). I dont know how much faster the newest generation is but theres many options at that price range ex. http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SVE11113F...6768012&sr=1-5

 

[biostud]

IPS = expensive
your budget is too low for what you want.

 

[Zap]

IPS = expensive
your budget is too low for what you want.

This.

If budget was double, can get one of the new Asus Ultrabooks with 13.3" 1080p IPS screen and Core i5/i7.

$500 isn't going to get a new notebook with IPS screen.

A bit more than that might get an Ultrabook with higher than 1366x768 resolution if you find a deal on an older model, but it won't be IPS.

 

[pelov]

Lenovo usually offers some kind of sale through their outlet. The labor day savings just ended but when they offer another sale (they tend to be quite frequent) you can pick up an i3 x220 with an IPS panel for around $500.

 

[kevinsbane]

X220/X230 is pretty much your only option... It's a little out of your budget range though. Right now, I managed to configure an x230 with the IPS option at $720. Realistically, this is the cheapest laptop with an IPS screen that you can get.

I would spend the extra $200. The keyboard alone, IMO, is worth it. Nothing beats Thinkpad keyboards.

 

[justinj6]

X220/X230 is pretty much your only option... It's a little out of your budget range though. Right now, I managed to configure an x230 with the IPS option at $720. Realistically, this is the cheapest laptop with an IPS screen that you can get.

I would spend the extra $200. The keyboard alone, IMO, is worth it. Nothing beats Thinkpad keyboards.

There are dream prices then there is reality. I was hoping to get in at $500 but am willing to up the budget. I would be O.K. with $800. As mentioned it is for travel so want the portability and less eye strain.

Will look at the above mentioned. Have not really looked at and compared a 12 1/2 inch screen. Any thoughts on that size?


Thanks,
Justin

 

[kevinsbane]

There are dream prices then there is reality. I was hoping to get in at $500 but am willing to up the budget. I would be O.K. with $800. As mentioned it is for travel so want the portability and less eye strain.

Will look at the above mentioned. Have not really looked at and compared a 12 1/2 inch screen. Any thoughts on that size?


Thanks,
Justin

The size is awesome. It will be almost as small as your netbook. Eye strain should be less, as the IPS screen comes with an excellent anti glare coating, and everything will be slightly larger as the dot pitch is slightly higher.

I find the size perfect for travelling. I found that the x230 fits in 11" notebook sleeves, which fit better than the 12" sleeves.

 

[themillak]

I have the x120e with the E350 and when I run skype for video calling my cpu usage jumps up to ~70% (using linux). Its fine for calling family, I wouldn't use it for business though.

 

[justinj6]

X220/X230 is pretty much your only option... It's a little out of your budget range though. Right now, I managed to configure an x230 with the IPS option at $720. Realistically, this is the cheapest laptop with an IPS screen that you can get.

I would spend the extra $200. The keyboard alone, IMO, is worth it. Nothing beats Thinkpad keyboards.

Where did you find the x230 for $720? Sound like a good deal.
Thanks,
Justin

 

[kevinsbane]

Oh yes, FWIW, you can actually upgrade the X230 with either a wlan (3g) card, or with an msata SSD, which means it'll be easy-peasy to throw in an SSD, and keep all your data too.