Buying new laptop & need help!

[Rpytosky]

I am buying a new laptop for grad school. I am pretty sure that I want to run windows 7. I want something thin and light since I will be carrying it around daily. I was looking at HP Envy Sleekbook. But the one in my price range ($400-600ish) is AMD, not intel. There are a few I have found that have intel but only 1.6 GHz.. doesnt that mean it will be slow? Will I be ok with AMD? I am pretty sure I want an ultrabook. Oh and also I am not a fan of the number pad on the side. And my school doesnt support netbooks or tablets. Does anyone have any suggestions for a laptop for me? Thanks! =)

 

[kenrivers]

Whether or not the 1.6 GHz processor will be slow depends on how you are going to use the computer. I notice you want it for grad school but you didn't say how you will use it. What software will you be running (using)? You should be ok with an AMD processor. Is this the one - http/www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Laptops/HP-ENVY/B5Y91AV;pgid=c7twGfjc0ptSRpIq7ZUcoGXQ0000UhEHnKAi;sid=cHcyg9c0p278iYap_3ZrFw47eqy_KOMotSLFGkCceqy_KG2nssFlTydb?HP-ENVY-6z-1100-Sleekbook - you were looking at?

 

[Rpytosky]

Whether or not the 1.6 GHz processor will be slow depends on how you are going to use the computer. I notice you want it for grad school but you didn't say how you will use it. What software will you be running (using)? You should be ok with an AMD processor. Is this the one - http/www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Laptops/HP-ENVY/B5Y91AV;pgid=c7twGfjc0ptSRpIq7ZUcoGXQ0000UhEHnKAi;sid=cHcyg9c0p278iYap_3ZrFw47eqy_KOMotSLFGkCceqy_KG2nssFlTydb?HP-ENVY-6z-1100-Sleekbook - you were looking at?

http/www.amazon.com/HP-6-1010us-Sleekbook-15-6-Inch-Laptop/dp/B0085RV0AO/ref=sr_1_16?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1369180064&sr=1-16
More like that one because it had Windows 7 not 8. I use my laptop to surf the web, use facebook, Word, use it for hw, and watch all my tv shows and movies on it.

 

[kenrivers]

Based on your use of the computer I believe that one should work well for you. I take it you don't need an optical drive (CD/DVD) since the Sleekbooks do not come with one. Of course you could always use an external optical drive if you ever have the need for one.

 

[Rpytosky]

Based on your use of the computer I believe that one should work well for you. I take it you don't need an optical drive (CD/DVD) since the Sleekbooks do not come with one. Of course you could always use an external optical drive if you ever have the need for one.

Yes, I will buy an external cd drive. They arent expensive are they? I am still searching.. Do you have any suggestions of other ultrabooks?

 

[kenrivers]

An external DVD drive can be purchased for around $30 - http/www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=external+dvd+drive&sprefix=external+%2Caps%2C311
The closest one I can find in that price range and with Windows 7 is this one from Acer: http/www.amazon.com/Acer-TimelineU-M5-581TG-6666-15-6-Inch-Ultrabook/dp/B0085H660S/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1369286488&sr=1-6&keywords=windows+7+ultrabook#productDetails
It is heavier (5.1 lbs.) but does include an optical drive, a 2.6 GHz Intel i5 processor and 6 GB of RAM.
It is getting harder to find Ultrabooks that have Windows 7 installed since Microsoft is pushing Windows 8.