The Perfect Business Laptop; Does it Exist?

[SKYMTL]

I have been in the market for a new laptop for the last 3 months now and I am beginning to think that my search will end in futility. I know at least three other professionals who are in the same boat as I am and let me tell you, it's starting to get frustrating for everyone...

Here is what I am looking for. Maybe someone has actually found a product with all of these features. The most idiotic thing is that I would have thought these would have been par for the course by now.

Will I use it to game? Heck no. Watch HD movies? NOPE! It will be used for Photoshop, Word processing and some video conversion.


Processor:

- Nothing more than a dual core is really needed.

- AMD processors = no. They lack efficient options and everyone knows that.

Observations: The fact that companies are still using Intel's SU-series C2D processors shocks me considering Intel's new generation QM-series has been out for a while.


Screen Size:

- 13.3" and 14" at the largest. Nothing smaller than 13"

- NO GLOSSY SCREENS

Observations: The number of "professional" notebooks that sport glossy screens is just mind boggling. Any professional that thinks a glossy screen is perfectly fine needs their head read. Try using one for a few hours in an airport or outside. I mean come on.


Battery:

- Needs to last 4 hours or more. Anything less than that is pointless IMO.

Observations: How manufacturers can sell business laptops with 3 or 4-cell batteries is beyond me.


Weight:

- Should be thin & light since I don't need an optical drive. Under 4.5 lbs is a must.


"Look":

I honestly don't care. As long as it isn't grey or a fingerprint magnet or it doesn't have the Acer anywhere logo on it.


Budget:

Under $1100 CAD



That pretty much covers it. I have found PLENTY of options but they all share one issue: a glossy screen. This in itself absolutely kills any product for me.


Does such a laptop exist? Methinks not since more and more companies seem absolutely clueless about what budget-minded professionals want but maybe you guys have stumpled across one...

[sswilson]

Might not be a perfect solution, but in the absence of anything else.... have you looked at possible screen "treatments"? There must be some kind of relatively inexpensive film that could be applied to a glossy screen to reduce glare.

As I said... might not be ideal, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

[Jake_HT]

Does ANYONE even like glossy screens? Everybody ever that I've ever talked to hates them. That includes people that know nothing about computers. What benefit do they have? You can look at yourself while the computers off?

[ilya]

A lot of people I know that use a "business" laptop has the same problem with the glossy screens. Most of them use those privacy film things you stick on your screen. (the stuff that reduces viewing angle and glare)

But TBH I think that budget is a little low, the good Lenovo's are always $1200+ and don't even think about the Panasonic Tuffbooks. Maybe try the new business line from Asus? I hear a lot of good stuff about them, the only problem is Canadian availability.

[enaberif]

Good effing luck.

Two things that have become rampant these days and show no signs of dying are glossy bezels on monitors and glossy screens on laptops.

Lenovo and Acer were two off the last companies to keep the glossy down but unfortunately even they have stopped :(

[Chilly]

I could list off a few good models I am personally looking into, however they all have that one flaw, a glossy screen

[3.0charlie]

Dell Vostro 3400: The Dell Online Store: Build Your System

i5-450m processor
14" screen; the following reviews specify a matte screen: Dell Vostro 3400 and Dell Vostro 3400 Laptop Review (since Dell's site is not precise)
battery: optional 9-cell battery available
weight: 4.5lbs w/6-cell battery
look: no Acer logo
budget: 1049$ w/9-cell battery, W7 Pro 64bit, 500Gb and 4Gb

[Hunt]

What about the Lenovo T410s? It'll be pushing the budget of around $1100 ($1130 base model I think) and I think it has a non-glossy screen.

RFD also puts exclusive Lenovo deals on from time to time as well, might be able to snag one under budget.

But going by your computer knowledge, I'm guessing you've already considered Lenovo. Just throwing it out there in case.

[Closed Note]

I'd go with one of the Acer Timeline-Series. It covers pretty much everything you listed above. Also, I believe the TravelMate-Branch doesn't carry any glossy-screens at all.

Edit: This - Products - and according to engadget, the 8xxx-Series are matte.

[SKYMTL]

The Dell 3400 looks promising though and the upgrade to a x64 OS is nice. The only issue with that one is that some folks at work have them and nearly all have had issues with screen damage due to a VERY thin lid design.