Long story short, I hate glossy screens, and as most laptops nowadays are made with them (for some reason I still can't for the life of me figure out, maybe it's about picture quality), I'm looking for solutions. The time to get a new laptop will be coming pretty soon (looking at the Asus U36JC, or maybe waiting until it gets updated with Sandy Bridge), and that only amplifies the problem; since I don't really take my current laptop out of the house much (battery long dead, and it never lasted long anyway, so I just use it as desktop replacement when I go somewhere for a long time). So, not knowing much about the product, I was looking for advice on brands, quality, etc. Sure, I can just Google it (and get something like this) but I don't know whether that's actually good or not. Maybe it'll start peeling off after a month, or will screw up the display. Note: I realise someone will probably advise me to get one of those business models with matte screens, like the ThinkPads, but frankly they look ugly and are more expensive. And I was waiting for those Pixel Qi displays to go mainstream, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.
I can't answer you for the film.. But let me help you out for your next system You should look at business class systems, as you mentioned. Yes, they usually costs more, but the systems operates cooler (better cooling system), non-glossy screen, non-glossy laptop design, stronger build quality, and usually far better warranty service than Home section systems. And they don't look all ugly. Did you have a look at Dell Small Business section system? Very nice models (in my opinion, far nicer than Home systems.. although I don't particularly like the Latitude E6420/E6520 series design, but worth a look). I have a Dell Latitude E6400, a very sleek professional and modern design, that still looks awesome after 3 years or so. The system provides me 10 hours and half (9-cell battery), and be can extended to 21 hours with the secondary thin slice battery (with the 9-cell battery). And has everything that one could possibly ask for at the time. 1 screw slide out panel for full internal access to the system (I can pull out the motherboard fairly easy), eSATA, Display port, thin (at the time) design, all the large plugs are on the back not blocking your way, backlight keyboard, ambient light sensor, cool and quiet operation. Anyway, it came with 3 year warranty, with 3 year next business day on site service. That means THEY come to you to repair your laptop, at the exact time you want (more or less business hours... they can come at 7pm if you want.. but not at 3am, if you get what I mean), starting from the next business day. Also, warranty service is LOCAL to your country. For me they are in the province of Ontario or Nova Scotia when I called. No India or China. Results: I always have the system in hand, it doesn't interrupt my work, and I can assure that the job is done properly and that my problem is fixed. Can ASUS do that for you? I don't think so. (Oh and if you call Dell or Lenovo you can negotiate a price on the phone.. and I don't mean 50$ off, I mean a bunch of free serious upgrades, free delivery, and serious price reduction) If you are tight on money, here what i suggest: Check out Dell Outlet. You can find nice systems for really cheap. And once you get it, just replace whatever cosmetic problem it had by ordering the part from Dell or eBay. In the end, it you will still save a lot of money. The screen is never scratch, and any bumps or defects, Dell will fix it or find you an similar system (and obviously ask you if not the exact same, before giving it to you). Shipping both ways is pays by Dell (Dell will send you a pre-paid shipping label via e-mail). Pictures of my system: http://forums.bit-tech.net/showpost.php?p=2641610&postcount=24
Ah yes yes HP Elibook too! Nice models. Although I never experience HP Business system as they don't deliver in Canada.
My dad had a problem with the keyboard on his. He called HP support and told them they wouldn't need to send someone to fix the keyboard, he could do it himself if he just had the keyboard parts. 24 hours later it was sitting on his desk, arrived from southern Germany courtesy of UPS Express, with no charge at all.
Thank you for taking the time to post this advice. Unfortunately, it seems I've given you a wrong impression of myself... I'm not exactly a business traveller, but a student/young professional, and my laptop will mostly be used for study and entertainment in a portable format. The reason I'm asking for anti-reflection is precisely because of that (makes watching anything painful, not to mention reading, which I do quite a lot). I saw the Latitude E6400 specs, and frankly it's quite a bit less than what's offered by the ones I've been looking at (apart from the Asus, the Toshiba Portege R835-P56X). Another factor that's very important for me is the weight: 4.3lbs for the Dell, versus 3.2 for the Toshiba. See, I've had a lot of heavy laptops, and frankly I'm very tired of that. So I'm looking for an ultimate weight/performance/battery life combo, 13" and under. I was initially looking at netbooks actually (HP Mini etc), but then decided I needed something that gets me more than just web surfing. But I am still sometimes just going into shops and starting to check if I can lift the laptop with one hand without straining too much (sure, then I could go for the MacBook Air, but unfortunately I'm not a fan of Macs). I'm also not much a hardware expert, so... let's just say I don't fiddle with insides, especially not those of laptops. That said, thank you for sharing the Dell outlet thing, I didn't know it existed (for Europe). I might try to look there.
I am a student as well. Weight should not be an issue. Size is and you probably don't have a good back pack. You want the laptop (wtv it is) to the closest to you back as possible. I already been walking with my laptop and university book for 30min (Home to University) several times. And I don't even go to the gym. And I am not the type of person who sneezes and gets a 6 pack in front. When I got my laptop, I had the same problem as you, but my bag was old in any case.. got a good nice backpack well designed for laptop transport, and now it's been 2 years, no problem. And I have the 9-cell battery. The problem with home systems, is that manufacture put more power than what the laptop can handle, that is why you have all these over heating issues and "don't put the laptop on your lap" stories. Granted they could have put a nice Geforce 9600M inside instead of the Qudro NVS 160M, but still. I can play all the games.. granted at minimum setting but did get 60fps+. StreetFighter 4 and StarCraft 2 shows no problem (SC2 runs at 80-90fps at minimum settings.. there is room for higher resolution, bigger texture, and so on, to get a nice 60fps). Beside laptop should NOT be your desktop, in any shape or form.. well unless you JUST suif the web.
Ah, but weight is a matter of principle, not some kind of physical constraint. As I said I'd like to lift it with one hand without straining (and that's why I was looking at netbooks first). I also don't like backpacks too much outside of hiking etc, so I tend to carry it around in a laptop bag. Really, I'm just looking for something that's as light as possible. Oh I completely agree with that. That said... no advice on anti-reflective film?..
