help me find an ultraportable less than 1000$: 12 to 14in, less than 3.5lbs, 3yrs warranty durable. Thanks!!! ;)

[il.]

hello,

I have been looking for a week to find a replacement for my lovely X40 with 8 cell battery. My laptop is going out of warranty in april, and i was looking to find a decent replacement for this great laptop.

Here is what i would love to find:
- 2.8lbs to 3.5lbs (max 4lbs)
- 12 inch to 14 inch max
- ideally a resolution of at least 1280*768 or 1400*1050 (1024*768 could be ok)
- not super powerful, but i use my current laptop with intel centrino 1,5ghz 1,5gb ram for photoshop cs3, dreamweaver cs3 and a lot of firefox windows in the same time and it gets painful with the time painful. So faster would be appreciated.
- The keyboard should be decent (i am used to the Thinkpads ;( I had an X24, X31, X41 and X40)
- At least 3 to 4 hours battery life (i.e no 4 cells, but 6 cells at least)
- Ideally with Bluetooth
- I don't mind the camera, the wireless N, the infrared.
- I don't mind the brand, it could be a Lenovo, Samsung, Futjitsu, HP, Dell etc... but no Mac please as i already have the licenses for Office 2007 Pro, Muvee, Swish, Mindjet Mindmanager Pro 7, Photoshop Cs3 and Dreamweaver Cs3 for PC. And i don't know if I can use those software easily on a Macbook.

I don't mind if it's used, refurbished or redistributed.

Here is what i did so far:
1. I spent hours on amazon (litteraly dozen of hours), i missed the Samsung X360 and X460 deals (argggghhhh!!!! ;)
2. I went on Lenovo Outlet and i found a couple of X61 X61s and X200 at 800-1000$, but i still have to add the 3 years warranty. Also i was wondering if they were enough powerful.
3. I checked SD (thanks Selma!!!;) for the Dell deals and i found the XPS M1330 but with the configuration it went to 1250$ when i added the warranty.
4. I tried Toshiba and HP but didn't find something really interesting.

Here is what i found so far:
Toshiba Portege R500-S5008x - Core 2 Duo U7700 / 1.33 GHz ULV - RAM 2 GB - HDD 160 GB - GMA 950 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 3.0 - Gigabit Ethernet - WLAN : Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, 802.11 a/b/g/n (draft) - TPM - fingerprint reader - Win XP Pro - 12.1"
Amazon 899.99 3/9/09

Samsung X460-44G 14.1-Inch Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 Centrino 2 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, Vista Business)
Amazon 1,214.92 3/9/09

Samsung X460-44P 14.1-Inch Laptop (2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 Centrino 2 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Vista Business)
Amazon 1,499.99 3/9/09

HP EliteBook 2730p KS096UT SL9400 12.1-Inch Notebook PC(Intel Core 2 Duo,1.60 GHz, 6 MB L2 cache, 1066 MHz FSB, Windows Vista)
Amazon 1,616.57 1,613.98 3/8/09

X200 12.1" Wxga P8600 160GB
Amazon 1,127.44 3/8/09

HP EliteBook 2530p KS035UT 12.1-Inch Notebook PC (1.60 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo LV SL9300 Processor, 2 GB Ram, 160 GB Hard Drive, Windows Vista Business)
Amazon 1,294.05 3/8/09

Lenovo IdeaPad U330 13.3-Inch Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium) Black
Amazon 899.99 3/8/09

HP EliteBook 6930p KS081UT 14.1-Inch Notebook PC(2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 Processor, 2 GB Ram, 160 GB Hard Drive, Windows Vista Business)
Amazon 1,030.76 1,023.01 3/8/09

Samsung X360-34G 13.3-Inch Laptop (1.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 Centrino 2 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, Vista Business)
Amazon 1,479.59 1,329.59 3/8/09


Sorry for the long post, but i read on the sticky that it's better to be specific.

So plese tell me if i am crazy and that it doesn't exist or if I could find something which would suit me.

Thanks a lot for your help!

Kind regards,

PS: again, sorry for the long post.

[jargoone]

You, like I did, unfortunately missed out on the smokin deal on the X61S last week. But, you can get an X61 tablet that meets all your specs for that price. The base is C2D T7500, 1GB RAM, 160GB 5400 RPM, 8 cell battery.

1. lenovo.com/cpp, password familyandfriends
2. Click: Notebooks, Thinkpad, X Series Tablet, View Models (underneath X61 Tablet), Customize and Buy
3. Scroll down and select Bluetooth. Click Continue.
4. Add the 3 year Depot warranty.

Your total will be $881.80, free shipping, add sales tax. Get a 2GB stick of PC2-6400 for $22 at Newegg and you'll still have money left over.

Yes, it's a tablet, but who cares if you don't use that functionality. I ordered almost this same system today. I went to Vista Biz, added the 7200 RPM drive, OneNote, and added 4 year depot with accidental damage. Total was ~$1250 including tax.

Hope that helps!

[makeitslickER]

tigerdirect has x460-44g for $780 after rebate and cashback. Search x460 and you will see the thread. I am considering that laptop now;.

[damnyou]

will AMD processor work?

if yes then

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/store_access.do?template_type=cto_config&config_id=LOWEST&bomProductId=FR239AV&aoid=35252

# choose "FREE Upgrade to 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)..."
# choose "FREE Upgrade to 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive..."
# apply coupon code "NB9812" at checkout

[jp5392]

will AMD processor work?

if yes then

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/store_access.do?template_type=cto_config&config_id=LOWEST&bomProductId=FR239AV&aoid=35252

# choose "FREE Upgrade to 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)..."
# choose "FREE Upgrade to 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive..."
# apply coupon code "NB9812" at checkout

Sorry but the TX2Z is nothing compared to the computers listed above. AMD processors are ALOT slower than INTEL counterparts and to top things off, it is really thick and 4.5lbs which is a bit much for a 12in and battery life is about 2.5 hours at best on the 6 cell. Trust me a friend of mine owns one and does not come close to my M1330.

[il.]

You, like I did, unfortunately missed out on the smokin deal on the X61S last week. But, you can get an X61 tablet that meets all your specs for that price. The base is C2D T7500, 1GB RAM, 160GB 5400 RPM, 8 cell battery.

1. lenovo.com/cpp, password familyandfriends
2. Click: Notebooks, Thinkpad, X Series Tablet, View Models (underneath X61 Tablet), Customize and Buy
3. Scroll down and select Bluetooth. Click Continue.
4. Add the 3 year Depot warranty.

Your total will be $881.80, free shipping, add sales tax. Get a 2GB stick of PC2-6400 for $22 at Newegg and you'll still have money left over.

Yes, it's a tablet, but who cares if you don't use that functionality. I ordered almost this same system today. I went to Vista Biz, added the 7200 RPM drive, OneNote, and added 4 year depot with accidental damage. Total was ~$1250 including tax.

Hope that helps!

Thanks Jargoone for your reply!

Do you think that the X61t is powerful enough? It's only a 1024*768 screen. Did you find anything about the SXGA+ tablet? I would love to be able to have at least a 1280*800. Photoshop and Dreamweaver are a pain with a small screen. Waw i would love to have a tablet with such a high resolution...Well i should stop dreaming! ;)

I was looking at Amazon's Samsung X460-34P at 914$ after rebates http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-X460-44G-14-1-Inch-Centrino-Processor/dp/tech-data/B001I45TC6/ref=de_a_smtd. Even if it's far more heavier than the X61, the screen's real estate is bigger. I just don't know if it would fit in my backpack and if i will "feel" the added 2 pounds.

Thanks again for your reply!

[il.]

tigerdirect has x460-44g for $780 after rebate and cashback. Search x460 and you will see the thread. I am considering that laptop now;.

Oh thanks!!! What is the weight?

I will check that right now! ;)

Thanks again!

will AMD processor work?

if yes then

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/store_access.do?template_type=cto_config&config_id=LOWEST&bomProductId=FR239AV&aoid=35252

# choose "FREE Upgrade to 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)..."
# choose "FREE Upgrade to 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive..."
# apply coupon code "NB9812" at checkout

Thanks for the reply, but i would prefer to go for a lighter notebook.

Thanks again.

[il.]

Sorry but the TX2Z is nothing compared to the computers listed above. AMD processors are ALOT slower than INTEL counterparts and to top things off, it is really thick and 4.5lbs which is a bit much for a 12in and battery life is about 2.5 hours at best on the 6 cell. Trust me a friend of mine owns one and does not come close to my M1330.

Thanks for the comment. It's good to know that about AMD. I believe AMD lost the dual core battle even if its Athlon were good compared to Intel. I hope that AMD will come back with a nice innovation for the next gen of processors...

[damnyou]

Sorry but the TX2Z is nothing compared to the computers listed above. AMD processors are ALOT slower than INTEL counterparts and to top things off, it is really thick and 4.5lbs which is a bit much for a 12in and battery life is about 2.5 hours at best on the 6 cell. Trust me a friend of mine owns one and does not come close to my M1330.

thats a noob comment about the speed of AMD. I am not a big fan of them but if you compare with this laptop with your XPS 1330 then I do not know what to say. 1330 is not better either

anyways chuck it

[il.]

Hi,

Thanks for all your replies so far, it helps me a lot.

I have a question which might be off-topic:
How does thosethree processor compare? Beside the fact the the ULV use a fraction of the energy of the other one:
1. Intel® Core™ 2 Duo L7500 LV (1.6GHz, 4MB L2, 800MHz FSB)
2. Intel Intel Core2 Duo processor SU9300 (1.2GHz, 3MB L2, 800MHz FSB)
3. Intel Core2 Duo processor P8400 (2.26GHz, 3MB L2, 1066MHz FSB)
The number 2 can be found on the Samsung X360-34P and the Lenovo X200 (found for 1400$ on Lenovo CPP familyandfriends)
The number 1 is the X61t tablet on Lenovo CPP for 759$
The number 3 is the X200 found on Lenovo CPP for 951$ which seems to be a good deal, no?

How does the L7500 LV compares to the P8400?
So I do not understand why an X200 which goes for 1400$+ has a ULV 1,2ghz while an X200 with the higher clock and FSB is "only" 950$). Any guess?


----

Also, do you guys know how the Samsung X460 found on amazon for 950$ after rebates (http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-X460-44G-14-1-Inch-Centrino-Processor/dp/tech-data/B001I45TC6/ref=de_a_smtd) and possibly on tigerdirect.com for even less can compete with the X300 found for 1000$ on Lenovo Outlet: http://stores.channeladvisor.com/LenovoOutlet/Items/647l3a6390?&caSKU=647l3a6390&caTitle=ThinkPad%20X300%20with%20Free%20Bag?



Same question for the Samsung X360-34G which goes for around 850$ on Ebay (all the people who grabbed the deal on amazon and expected to make money on Ebay...but it doesn't seem to go that well http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SAMSUNG-X360-34G-LAPTOP-120GB-1-2-GHZ-3GB-RAM_W0QQitemZ290301817410QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLaptop s_Nov05?hash=item290301817410&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50) and the X200 which goes on Lenovo Outlets for 780$ http://stores.channeladvisor.com/LenovoOutlet/Items/745lv01v2m?sck=4188860&caSKU=745lv01v2m&caTitle=ThinkPad%20X200%20with%20Free%20Bag.

Well i also saw the Macbook Air refurbished for 999$ + 250$ for the 3 years warranty. But i won't fall for this honey pot...no i don't have to fall for that...noooo i won't do it!! ;)



Well I believe I did my homework now... I am definitely hesitating between: Samsung X360 (3pounds), X460 (4 pounds), Lenovo X61t (3.5 pounds | if i can find one with SXGA+), Lenovo X200 and Lenovo X300 (both at 3 pounds i think). Any other interesting laptop that i missed?

-----

Finally for the warranty part: i think that Lenovo charges 119$ to upgrade to the 3 years warranty. I couldn't find any information about Samsung policy. Any information?


I am done now ;) Thanks for your replies guys, i hope that you don't find my "quest" super boring, but i am on a budget and i am going for a laptop that has to become my "companion" for the next 3 years, just like my X40 did...so it's a kind of engagement!!! ;) Anyway, I am just trying to be specific and to show you guys that i do search on my side aswell!!

Thanks again!

Kind regards,

ilias,

[il.]

You, like I did, unfortunately missed out on the smokin deal on the X61S last week. But, you can get an X61 tablet that meets all your specs for that price. The base is C2D T7500, 1GB RAM, 160GB 5400 RPM, 8 cell battery.

1. lenovo.com/cpp, password familyandfriends
2. Click: Notebooks, Thinkpad, X Series Tablet, View Models (underneath X61 Tablet), Customize and Buy
3. Scroll down and select Bluetooth. Click Continue.
4. Add the 3 year Depot warranty.

Your total will be $881.80, free shipping, add sales tax. Get a 2GB stick of PC2-6400 for $22 at Newegg and you'll still have money left over.

Yes, it's a tablet, but who cares if you don't use that functionality. I ordered almost this same system today. I went to Vista Biz, added the 7200 RPM drive, OneNote, and added 4 year depot with accidental damage. Total was ~$1250 including tax.

Hope that helps!

Thanks again for your reply, i am really considering the tablet. I always wanted to try the feeling of having a tablet, i think that it can be a productivity booster!

I tried a configuration of the X61t:

ThinkPad X61 Tablet Series 1 Yr Depot Warranty
Edit 7764CTO $819.85 1 $819.85
Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo L7500 LV (1.6GHz, 4MB L2, 800MHz FSB) 1
Operating system: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium 1
Operating system language: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium US English 1
Display: 12.1" WVA XGA TFT, 2x2 UltraConnect II antenna 1
Total memory: 1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM) 1
Keyboard: Keyboard US English 1
Hard Drive: 160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm 1
Bluetooth: Integrated Bluetooth PAN 1
Wireless cards: Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AG (supporting Centrino Pro) 1
Battery: ThinkPad X61 Tablet 8 Cell Li-Ion Battery 1
Power cord: Country Pack North America with Line cord & 65W AC adapter 1
Language Pack: Language Pack US English 1
Accessories and options:
3 year depot 9x5 Next Business Day 41C9170 $95.20 1 $95.20

It seems quite interesting, but i am still hesitating between this one and the other as i said on the previous post. Any comment?

Thanks again...

[jargoone]

I can't comment too much about the power of the L7500 in the X61t. It seems to favor well in tests in comparison to other low-voltage CPUs of the same vintage. But keep in mind, you're after an ultra portable. They're designed for a combination of light weight and long battery life, both of which preclude a powerful CPU.

I'm not thrilled about having an XGA screen, either. I guess I've just gotten used to it, because like you, I'm currently using an X40. Funny, because I use my laptop on the couch most of the time. :) That's all you can get now, on the X61t - the SXGA ones are long gone.

I don't know of a way you can upgrade the warranty on non-configurable systems like the Samsung. It was never a consideration for me, personally, because now that I've used a ThinkPad, I'll likely never go to another brand unless something drastic happens. Every other system I touch feels like a toy by comparison.

Good luck, have fun, and let us know what you decide.

[seorangs]

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SEALED-Lenovo-Thinkpad-X61-Tablet-12-1-Laptop-X61T_W0QQitemZ130291384194QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLapto ps_Nov05?hash=item130291384194&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

now its high as 1049$

[jargoone]

I found a used x61s for sale that meets your needs. It's mint, loaded, comes with dock, price is $900+shipping. The seller is reputable. PM me if interested.

[Fuchs]

I'd totally go for a X200. There is a 5% off coupon so with the config you mentioned you should be around $1030. (Incl. 3 year warranty).
If you wanna safe some money check out the Thinkpad SL 300. It's a glossy screen tho which I wouldn't even consider.

[il.]

Hi guys!!!

thanks very much for all your replies, you are amazing!!!! I couldn't keep up with you!! ;) Waw.

Just tfor you to know: i just called samsung, can you imagine that they DO NOT offer any kind of extended warranty??? That's amazing for a 1000$ laptop (actually, 914 for the X460 at amazon.com

Ok, so i will go for the X200, i found it on lenovo outlets foraround 800, i will add the 3 years warranty for 120, and it think that 's shoud be good.


What do you think??

thanks again for all your help, realll!!!!!

about the processor power, i just wanted to know if there were a real big difference between the LV of the X61 and the LV of the X200, because i saw on some reviews that it was far more powerful that the ULV of the X300.

[AMarubayashi]

10" but I love my asus eeepc 1000