New laptop for my Biochemistry studyings

Requirements:

Screen: 13-14", or even 15" if the budget does not allow. 14" is really the preferable, the sweet point for me.

CPU: Photoshop CS4 and MatLab capable. Some model of a Core2Duo I guess.

Memory: Any amount that will run PS CS4, MatLab on Win7 Ultimate.

Graphic Card: Doesn't matter. No games will be played. just some MatLab simulations and some High Def movies.

HDD: minimum of 160gb. 250GB would be the best. any more is not important at all.

Optical Drive: DVDRW.

Multimedia: Webcam and a Mic are a must.

Battery Life: Minimum of 5Hours.

Bluetooth: Optional but might be really helpful.

HDMI Output: Yes, Definitely.

Weight and Thickness: as ultra portable as the budget alows. this laptop should be for traveling, small buisness and mainly studying purposes.

Budget: Well, 500$ is really my budget, that's why I'm looking for techbargain sales all day :O
could go up to 550$ if I really stretch it.

Warranty: minimum 1 year international

Keyboard is really important. I need it as comfortable as possible. Island style would be the best.
Card Reader is a must of course.

As I said, main uses for this laptop are Photoshop CS4, MatLab and basic portable uses.

Thank you very very much - Reg.

OK a few things.

- Your most likely going to be getting a 15.4 inch screen if you want decent specs.
- You can not get a decent laptop for what you want to do with your budget.
- The battery life, well you might as well get a mac! A PC will not do 5 hours minimum!
- You need a bigger budget.

Well, there is a 40% coupon on Dell website, so I managed to get this specs for 600$:

Vostro 1320

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P7570 w/VT (2.26GHz, 3MB L2, 1066MHz FSB)
1 Year Basic Limited Warranty plus 1 Year Mail-in Service
13.3 inch WXGA Anti-Glare Display
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz, 2 DIMM
8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+/-R
Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
320GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive with Free Fall Sensor
Dell Wireless™ 1510 802.11a/g/n Draft Mini Card
Integrated 1.3MP Webcam and Digital Mic with webcam
9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

What bothers me is -

First of all, altough its 400$ off the original price.. 600$ is really too high for me
Second, no HDMI output
How bad do I need this powerful CPU ?? I mean, it's just photoshop and matlab..
Could I get anything better ??

Well, the coupon ends today.. so I better hurry if it's good

PS and MATLAB are both really CPU heavy. Secondly HDMI output on what is really a "budget" laptop is likely to be a no-no as to power any sort of HD output properly for HD film you need a fair bit of graphics power which many laptops don't have

The budget is impossibly small I'm afraid, the only laptops I know of with that sort of hardware are Dell XPS and Sony laptops, and they ain't cheap!

Hmm what if I give up on the HDMI pleasure ? how low on budget can I really go ?

and regarding the CPU, will a T4300 suffice or a Centrino is a must for my uses ?

and how's the above specs ??

Thanks - Reg.

edit: I found the ASUS K40IJ-D1 for 579$, how is it for me ?

T6600 2.10GHz
14" LED Resolution 1366 x 768
4GB DDR2800
250GB
1.3 WEBCAM + 6 CELL BATTERY

Ok, so I've narrowed my requirements, I just want a laptop with a comfortable keyboard (really important), decent battery life, as thin and light as budget allows, HDMI output, and capable of running Photoshop CS4, MatLab and 1080p HD for 500$.

What I found so far is the ASUS K50IJ (C2D 6600T) for 490$ including shipping and tax. any better solution ??

regielya said:

Ok, so I've narrowed my requirements, I just want a laptop with a comfortable keyboard (really important), decent battery life, as thin and light as budget allows, HDMI output, and capable of running Photoshop CS4, MatLab and 1080p HD for 500$.

What I found so far is the ASUS K50IJ (C2D 6600T) for 490$ including shipping and tax. any better solution ??

Click to expand...

Your budget will not be able to for full your requirements. You need a budget of about $800.

What are the specs of the Asus you found?