Need something in stock that can be shipped quickly. Going on a trip and can't play until I get it so any value in waiting for a better deal or custom config won't be worth it.

Laptop will be used exclusively for poker. Few sites + HEM2. No gaming ever, nothing other than poker ever.

Need 1920x1080 (or 1920x1200).

Needs to have an SSD or be easy enough for me to install an SSD. 64 GB would work fine but if there's a bigger one for not much more I'd consider that. Link to SSD options would help too if I'm putting one in.

Preferably not heavy/bulky but doesn't have to be crazy thin/light.

Decent trackpad.

For reference, my desktop is an Intel Core Duo w/ SSD and 4GB RAM and it works fine. HEM2 loads a little slow but functions perfectly fine once running. I realize most new laptops crush that, and I would consider paying more for good value, just noting that I don't need the best i7 and 16 GB of RAM.

OS reinstall media would be nice, unless buying another copy of Windows 7 is the cheaper option.

Thanks!

Cheapest 1920x1080 that isn't bulky?

Having trouble finding something I like that isn't pretty expensive, so I'm considering giving up and going with something I really like such as the Sony Z Series. I realize that's complete overkill, but is it a decent value for what it is? Is it well made?

I'd rather not spend $1,600, but it seems dumb spending $1,100 on something I don't like.

Ideally I'm hoping to find something that's a really good deal and then I won't be able to justify the upgrade to the Z Series.

Can anyone help point me in the right direction? I've looked through similar threads, checked slickdeals, and tried to search through different stores as best I can, but I'm having trouble narrowing it down.

Thanks!

Thoughts on this laptop?

http://slickdeals.net/f/4883852-Asus...080-Amazon-com

My main concern with the above is talk of possible trackpad issues.

Anyone have any other options they would recommend?

I'm a student so I am eligible for the Xbox offer that's out there on some laptops too if that impacts anyone's recommendations.

Thank you.

Buying today go for a minimum of an i3-2xxx processor, and i5-2xxx is a little better. the 3xxx series are the new gens and the i3s and i5s from that are somewhat improved with battery life and in general.

SSDs can be easily swapped out in newer models, but to confirm, look up the model number online and check for an easy-access panel on the bottom. Newer laptops tend to have those where you can get to the RAM and hard drive. SSD prices for the most elite models can be found on sale for $90/120GB and even $170-$180 for 240GB/256GB on occasion.

It's key that you get a notebook with those 2xxx and 3xxx processors because they basically assure you of having SATA6, which you'll want because SATA3 will limit the speed of the faster SSDs (doesn't transmit data as fast). If the notebook has USB 3.0, that's a good sign you have one with a correct chipset.

4GB RAM is still okay, but more is preferred. It's about $45 or so to buy an 8GB notebook kit if you saw the need later on, so if you see a nice deal with only 4GB RAM, it's not the end of the world (the original HD and RAM could be pitched on eBay if you wanted).

From there just make sure it has the screen res you want, plus Blu-Ray or some kind of quality sound, or whatever you care about. If you're running out to a display make sure it has the connection you want.

If you don't have to meet the connectivity of a certain display today, then I'd look for a notebook with both DisplayPort and HDMI. That would be a pretty safe bet going forward, you could out to most modern TVs and and I expect monitors for a white (as opposed to the dying DVI format and the practically-dead VGA).

Hard to recommend anything specific, there are just so many out there that would fit that criteria. Read reviews and if you can avoid a power-sucking/heat marking video card as part of the deal, all the better (since you don't game). In that case I'd lean more toward the newest 3xxx-series Intel chips, i5 or i3, they have better graphics and are a bit more efficient but not terribly expensive.

That Zenbook is nice, but the 13" wouldn't work for me personally, and the SSD is who knows what (but you'd probably be plenty happy with it). No DisplayPort either. Not bad though if you can look past those and the price, though it seems reasonable. Nice quality display too. But maybe you want a 13" don't know.

Maybe browse the Ultrabooks on NewEgg and see if anything jumps out at you. If you want something thin and light that is. Then hunt around for deals and sales.

Hey Gonso,

That really helps a lot, ty for taking the time.

If I go to newegg as suggested, there actually aren't any ultrabooks with 1920x1080 listed. I have really good eyesight, so I imagine I could get by with 1920x1080 on a 13", but the sites I play don't have great software (resizing tables functionality is bad) so having something with less than 1920x1080 would be really difficult.

Do you think something like this would be a better option than the Zenbook?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834127653

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834127691

They have a few different similar Sony models at newegg, hard to see much of a difference between them although I would probably opt to pay more to avoid the silver one. They have the processors you mentioned along with USB 3 which I believe would allow me to get a better SSD and get the SATA6 speed.

Here's a similar (same?) model on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VPCSE13FX...2582632&sr=1-1

I like the way it looks (at least the pictures on Amazon), the screen is bigger than the Zenbook, and 4.4 pounds is definitely acceptable.

This lenovo has a 3xxx i7 processor and comes with 8GB of RAM so I wouldn't need to upgrade in the future (though I think 4GB would actually work fine for me as I'm not a typical user and it seems to work well on my desktop):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834246630

Fairly heavy. I don't hate the way it looks though. I ruled out the Dell Inspiron 15R Special Edition because it's too ugly. I play better when my environment looks nice. I think the Sony w/ a good SSD would already be more than I need though, so I'm not sure if a heavier lenovo makes sense if the only advantage is more power.

It's harder to search Amazon by resolution, but the Sony I linked looks good and the other possibility is the Dell XPS:

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-X15Z-7502...2582632&sr=1-2

I don't like the way it looks as much as the Sony but I can tolerate it.

I don't know a lot about build quality, etc. and it's tough to trust random reviews. Seems like all of these options would work for me as far as the specs go, it's just about build quality and finding the best deal. Does anyone have thoughts on the quality of the Sony?

If I get a laptop that I need to put an SSD in, will I be able to use the Windows 7 that comes with the system somehow or am I going to have to buy another copy? Not sure about this part as it seems like a lot of laptops don't come with reinstall media and that factors in (effectively makes the Zenbook cheaper, for example, since it comes with an SSD and I wouldn't need to install an OS).

I really like the way the Amazon linked Sony looks but I have no idea if it's a good choice.

When I start looking at higher priced models I start to feel like I should just get a Sony Z Series ($1,600) or try to find a Retina MBP ($2,200) because I like both options so much more than the other models I'm looking at and once I start getting closer to those price points I would feel dumb getting anything else.

Ty!

I prefer the 1080 res also. Usually that's the hardest thing to find in otherwise ideal notebooks (for me, anyway). Either the system itself is expensive and comes with a graphics card I don't need, or it's bulky, very high-priced, a tiny 13", or something that doesn't work. There are definitely high-end ($$$) models like the ones you're talking about that will do. So there's that.

Can I first suggest that maybe you just buy yourself an SSD and swap out with your current drive? It will certainly help with HEM and maybe give you the performance boost you're hoping for. If not, you don't lose much, you just buy a new notebook like you were going to anyway, and move the SSD into that.

Do a search on Slickdeals for SSDs. The ones in the 120/128GB range can be found for under $100 pretty often. The Samsung 830 is a safe choice, the Sandisk Extreme (not Ultra) is also good. In that system it won't matter so much what SSD since they'll be slowed a bit in that setup. Still fast but for their full potential it will take a newer computer with SATA3 ports, instead of the SATA2 yours has.

But anyway a Core2Duo isn't terrible, and 4GB will still get you by. If you have a reinstall disk for Win7 just use that. If not, Windows 8 beta is free until January. When you're on the trip you see if you're happy enough with it, if not, start looking at new ones when you get back.

If you feel confident ~60GB effective space is enough, which it is for strictly poker, there's this one here for $55 free ship from Staples: Link.

Ah, sorry if I wasn't clear, but unfortunately the computer I mentioned earlier is a desktop. I don't have a laptop that I can upgrade.

I'm actually already on the trip, but I delayed ordering since I didn't know what to get and since I won't be settled in for a little while anyway and have some other stuff I can do / am not just wasting time wishing I could be playing. I will be without my desktop for over a month, so I definitely need to decide on something.

Figured that had to be too easy. Okay to address one question, I prefer to have an OS reinstall disc but these big companies are trending away from that. First because of the crapware they bundle, second because migrating from mechanical drives to SSDs has at least some potential problems. If buying a notebook with a HDD and looking to upgrade, a physical install disc is a small plus. I don't know which manufacturers are doing that now.

The Dell Inspiron 15R SE is okay on paper, but it's not XPS build quality or anything. Link. Even the base model specs are decent and there's the 1080 screen.

Price is higher than I'd like for what it is but $900 ish seems to be the starting point for them. You got the right idea though, just prowl around HP, Sony or whoever and cut it down to the models that fit what you want a bit. In a lot of cases you can choose an SSD as an option but you have to watch the price and question what drive is going in the thing, a $200 120GB would be a joke since you could get a top model and a copy of Windows for that.

It's somewhat tough to evaluate build quality without reading some hardcore reviews and seeing them in person. Some lines have good reps while others like Acer are pretty bleh. I'd steer clear of those and Gateways for sure. Sony, some Asus, some Dell are all pretty decent, as is HP nowadays.

Think I am going to get the Sony S Series.

Do they all have the IPS displays / is there a way to check which models have it if it doesn't say in the description? I looked at an article/review on anandtech and I know that some do.

Going to order one along with an SSD and copy of Windows 7 once I figure out which one to get.

Newest model straight from Sony isn't that much more $ than the one from Amazon, so I'd feel dumb ordering a slightly older model if the screen is signficantly worse etc.

Any advice and links appreciated. I'm only interested in the black model, 4 GB of RAM is fine with me, would prefer better display and other than that just want good value, think I'll be ok w/ whatever processor as long as it means the requirements Gonso mentioned re: faster SSD speed.

SSD links would be cool too but I think I can figure it out if not. If anyone has a link to RAM I could upgrade/put in myself I might order that too since it's relatively cheap.

Ty for all the help. Saved me a lot of time/headaches/money.

There's no chance I can take the SSD from my desktop that already has Windows 7 installed and use that in the laptop, right? (Without reinstalling Windows / risking messing up the Windows 7 system I already have set up on the drive. Wouldn't be worth it since I spent a long time setting it up.) Would need to be able to put it back in the desktop when I'm done too.

Price down to $800 on Amazon. Someone smarter than me please tell me how to figure out if this one has the IPS display:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VPCSE13FX...=sony+s+series

I'm trying but failing hard.

Assuming that laptop is what I want, this look right?

http://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-2-5-In...ds=samsung+830

+

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116986

Not seeing any current slickdeals offers on the Samsung 830. I did see someone say that the 64 GB is slower than the 128, so should I do this instead?

http://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-2-5-In...ds=samsung+830

Either site have RAM I could easily add? Not going to sell the original RAM on eBay, so I guess just 4GB that I could add to the 4 it comes with if that works.

http://slickdeals.net/?&lno=40&trd=h...BW3V-YHV0IS-v1

Will this support the faster SATA drives? Has a 2xxx processor but doesn't appear to have USB 3 (I don't care about USB 3 but Gonso mentioned it's a possible indicator of whether or not the machine will support the faster SSD speeds).

Don't like it quite as much as the Sony but it's way too good of a deal to pass on.

If someone could please let me know if this will support the faster SSD speed (I have no idea how to check), that would really help.

I have the option to upgrade the processor for $60 to an i5, $90 to a different i5. Not planning on doing that unless someone tells me otherwise.

Couple little things I'm unsure of: I have the option to upgrade the wireless card to an Intel instead of Dell for $20. I can also choose a PC card instead of an Express Card for the expansion slot, same price for either.

Then just need to figure out what RAM I can order to put it in (only comes with 2GB) and I think I've got it all figured out.

$601 total and I get a $200 Dell gift card. Got a $3 OS recovery disc so, assuming that works to reinstall onto a new SSD, that will save me another $100.

Thanks for the help and being patient with me while I figured this out. If anyone can help me with these last issues I would really appreciate it.