Solved! Help buying a laptop

[helloworld24]

1. What is your budget?

< $850

2. What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?

Ultraportable

3. What screen resolution do you want?

13.3-14 inch screen.

4. Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?

Portable.

5. How much battery life do you need?

6+ hours

6. Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?

no preference

7. What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo/Video editing, Etc.)

Programming, Photoshop, Videos.

8. How much storage (Hard Drive capacity) do you need?

no preference, SSD would be nice

9. If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.

Newegg, TigerDirect, Ebay

10. How long do you want to keep your laptop?

I want atleast 3 yrs. out of it.

11. What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc ?

no preference

12. Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.

ASUS, HP, Gateway are my favorites, but I am open for suggestions

13. What country do you live in?

USA

14. Please tell us any additional information if needed.

I want to use this for normal browsing, computer programming, photo editing, and videos/movies/music. Mostly programming, photo editing, and browsing

 

[WR2]

At the top end of your budget @ 13" ASUS U36SD-DH51 13" Notebook $849
Core i5 2430M(2.40GHz) CPU, 4GB RAM, 640GB HDD 13.3" 1366x768 LCD w/ GT 520M graphics card.
3.7 lbs w/ 7hrs + on the 8cell battery. No DVD drive, speakers aren't great and only a 0.3mp webcam. 2yr factory warranty and 1yr accidental damage protection.
ASUS U36SD notebook review

@ $750 and 12." SAMSUNG Series 3 350U2B-A01 Notebook
Core i5 2410M(2.30GHz), 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, 12.1" 1366x768 LCD w/ HD 3000 graphics.
3.09 lbs w/ 6hrs+ on the battery in note-taking mode, also without DVD drive.
Samsung Series 3 (NP350) review

 

[WR2]

For 14" notebooks:
HP ProBook 4430s $670
Core i5 2410M(2.30GHz) 4GB 500GB HDD 7200rpm 14" 1366x768 anti-glare matte LCD w/ HD Graphics 3000
4.51 lbs w/ 7+hrs on the battery in note-taking mode and included DVD drive.
This business class laptop best meets your 3 yrs longevity goal. They're a bit more rugged than the consumer class laptops.
HP ProBook 4430s review (specs are better in the NewEgg model).

HP ENVY 14- $750 and my recommendation for an great all-rounder notebook.
Core i5 2410M(2.30GHz) 4GB RAM, 750GB HDD 7200rpm HDD, 14.5" 1366x768 LCD w/ Radeon HD 6630M graphics,
2yr warranty, best webcam and speakers. A bit short on battery life and also the heaviest @ 5.6lbs
HP Envy 14 (2011) Review