Need a new laptop, but I have many specific requirements!

jaywaj

Honorable
Dec 6, 2013
2
0
10,510
I have had my Sony vaio VPCF11Z1E ( http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/product/VPCF11Z1E_BI ) for nearly 4 years now, and while it was pretty modern back then, its showing its age now. The centre of the sun is cooler than this laptop, and it screams at me during even light use. It weighs a ton so I no longer take it out and about with me and it crashes when using certain video players.


My specifications for a new laptop are:


Must-haves

Full HD (1080p) Screen
Lightweight (less than 2kg, 2.5kg at a push)
Less than 30mm thick
No bigger than 15-inch screen size.
Minimum 4GB RAM
Windows 7 or 8
HDMI output

Preferred

Good performance from processor and graphics
Battery life of over 3 - 4 hours
USB 3.0
Blu-ray optical drive
500GB HDD or 128GB+ SSD
Cool and quiet
Backlit keyboard


I'm looking to use the laptop when out the house, usually at university, for work and watching media, as well as other everyday computer tasks.
I have a self-built high-performance PC at home, so I wouldn't need the laptop for gaming or using photo and video editing software.

I would appreciate help in my search for the right machine. I'm looking to spend less than £1,000. Hope to hear from people!


P.S. please don't suggest any kind of mac.
 

tachybana

Honorable
Feb 11, 2013
58
0
10,610
Look into the Acer Aspire S7. It is cheaper and lighter that what you were looking to spend. Plus it will give you over 7hrs of battery life http://www.acer.com/aspires7/en_US/, BUT!!!! no blu-ray. Or Sony VAIO's
 

jaywaj

Honorable
Dec 6, 2013
2
0
10,510
The S7s do look good, but I have heard from sources that Acer laptops lack build quality compared to Asus or Sony.
Are these statements based on fact or are they unfounded?

I should also point out I'm looking to buy in the UK, sorry forgot to mention that...