Light, thin laptop for University

1) What is your budget?
~$600

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

a. Ultraportable; 12" screen or less; or
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
<4 lb

3) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Like: IBM/Lenovo Thinkpads
Dislike: Dell, HP

4) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
School (Internet, Office, Mathematica, MatLab, R, proprietary geology and math software)

5) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
Taking it to class/lab everyday

6) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
Nope.

7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
At least 4, the more the better.

8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
That's fine.

9) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc.
Windows is needed.


Build Quality and Design

1) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Moderately.

2) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
3 years or more.

Notebook Components

1) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 200GB?
More than 200.

2) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD, Blu-Ray or HD-DVD drive?
Preferably.

Right now I'm looking at this:
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Ser...B006KYY0XS
But I'm wondering if there are any deals on similar/better laptops. Thanks!

Edit: I've been eyeing the ASUS U and UL series, too.

You can get more for your money and have more options if you can go up to a 14in screen.

example:

This sony laptop for just 44dollars more at 579.99 gets you much faster processor
(i5 2.5gz and up to 3.1gz when turbo boost is active) vs the i3 1.4gz laptop you linked.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Pro...6834127612

That alone is well worth 44more dollars plus slightly larger screen - easier to see your work!


Even at 529.99 you can get a much better processer still an i3 but 2.3gz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Pro...6834127608

I also love me some Asus branded laptops. Love my current one.

I would take this one over your current samsung one.
http://www.amazon.com/U32U-ES21-U...420&sr=1-1
less money comparable processors. But both do not have optical drives.

Keep in mind these are pretty much regular prices. And it would be possible that you could find something cheaper if you have time to wait and can check slickdeals daily. But again you are limited if your only looking for less then 14inch screens.

Quote from oyouno : You can get more for your money and have more options if you can go up to a 14in screen. example: This sony laptop for just 44dollars more at 579.99 gets you much faster processor (i5 2.5gz and up to 3.1gz when turbo boost is active) vs the i3 1.4gz laptop you linked. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Pro...6834127612 That alone is well worth 44more dollars plus slightly larger screen - easier to see your work! Even at 529.99 you can get a much better processer still an i3 but 2.3gz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Pro...6834127608 I also love me some Asus branded laptops. Love my current one. I would take this one over your current samsung one. http://www.amazon.com/U32U-ES21-U...420&sr=1-1 less money comparable processors. But both do not have optical drives. Keep in mind these are pretty much regular prices. And it would be possible that you could find something cheaper if you have time to wait and can check slickdeals daily. But again you are limited if your only looking for less then 14inch screens.

My 14" Thinkpad was cheaper ($500) and weighs less and is thinner than those sony laptops. I really need something that is about 3 lb and less than an inch thick. >5lb and >1.5" =

This is going to be replacing a big 5 lb 14.1" HP that is 1.5" thick. 5lb is too heavy, and 1.5" is too thick. I'm fine with replacing it with another 14" laptop if they weren't so thick and heavy. the 12.5" Samsung has the same resolution yet is 3lb and 0.8" thick (thinner than the 13" macbook pro and quite a bit lighter).

I was hoping to be able to wait until Black Friday or Christmas. The HP's DVD drive died awhile ago and the bottom of the screen has been messed up. But last night, the entire screen started flashing. I'm pretty sure it's about to die. it also has like 10 minutes of battery life.

I'm fine with the i3. The i3, i5, and the i7 non-QM mobiles all have the same major features (dual core with HT). I don't need VT-d or anything like that. The i3 is ULV--battery life is nice.

I was eye-ing that ASUS. It's about a pound heavier and thicker, but the price is right.

what about:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/...otebook-PC

1.32in thick, 14", but the weight is ~4.7 lbs
Sign up for HP Academy:http://hp.force.com/external/hpacademy
and the price drops from $649 to $536

You start out with the Intel second gen. (Sandy Bridge) i3 processor.
Now HP has a lovely coupon code like usual, so you can save $10 (not a lot, but it's $10!!)
CODE: svl7463

or you can buy a sleekbook (it isn't what you want according to your post, but worthy of being checked out)
http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/...ok-6z-1000

with the student discount it drops to ~$585ish, and it's 0.83 thick. Sadly, it's 15" thus the weight will be about 4.5ish pounds, (sadly ) and again you can use the coupon to save $10...

There is also this lovely ASUS [which I'm leaning towards because it fits your description]
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-U31SG-...397&sr=1-1
it's going to be ~601 bucks (LAST ONE IN STOCK!, more to come) and you can get free shipping (Amazon Prime) and no tax, etc.
you won't be getting the CD /DVD drive though...

phew, good luck