I am looking to buy a laptop with following min requirements:
Weight: Less than 3 lbs
Optical Drive: DVD-R would do, doesnt need to be RW
HDD: 60 GB plus
OS: Windows XP / 7. Can not be iOS / Android / Windows 8
This is for a light user who uses word/excel/pdf and email/youtube. Recommendations? Thanks.
Re: Lightweight Laptop
Don't go for HDD , look for the ones with SSD.
Re: Lightweight Laptop
Most lightweight ultrabooks won't have a DVD drive, RW or otherwise.
Re: Lightweight Laptop
The lighter the laptop, the deeper the dent. How much are we looking to spend here?
Re: Lightweight Laptop
Tofi yes i learnt that after searching through thick and thin 
Hence the query here
Exodus, any dent up to 1.5K is okay. If i can get a financing deal like at dell that would be tight.
I really like the XPS13 at dell. Maybe i’ll get an external dvd drive.
Re: Lightweight Laptop
If you're on the go and make use of the opticals often, the external is destined to become a chore to carry. Instead, I'd want to lose the 400g hard drive, get an ssd and pave way for an 150g optical.
Not to flame bait but a true computer enthusiast would never be seen owning a dell. Assuming we somehow have to make do with one, the xps posted above claims not to have a discrete video chip and that pretty much means it won't let you play any and every youtube HD content you throw at it.
Maybe look at the dell inspiron 14z? The enhanced (uglier) version has a radeon dedicated video, a builtin optical and should weigh in under 3.5lbs with just an ssd.
Re: Lightweight Laptop
Cheegum, is this for urself? Spend some money and go all out.
I got a MacBook Air with Vmware Fusion on it. I get the best of all worlds. Mac, Windows and Linux.
With the SSD the thing is fast, VM's load in 5-10 seconds from suspended mode, even booting them is much faster than actual computer.
Its lightweight, lots of battery power, you'd love the touchpad, graphics is good and I'm never at a loss. Plugging into all kinds of networks doesn't scare me that much anymore.
Re: Lightweight Laptop
Cheegum, is this for urself? Spend some money and go all out. I got a MacBook Air with Vmware Fusion on it. I get the best of all worlds. Mac, Windows and Linux. With the SSD the thing is fast, VM's load in 5-10 seconds from suspended mode, even booting them is much faster than actual computer. Its lightweight, lots of battery power, you'd love the touchpad, graphics is good and I'm never at a loss. Plugging into all kinds of networks doesn't scare me that much anymore.
Heed this man's words. He's a technological prophet something akin to the Architect in the Matrix movies. All hail Tofi.
Re: Lightweight Laptop
McPends, make a smilie for doing that ^^
Re: Lightweight Laptop
Exodus thanks lol, indeed i would never be seen carrying a dell. This however is for my mom :) I want to give her something extremely light that she can carry to meetings for her small biz and make presentations on (once or twice a month). I want her to have something super light. There are other alternative options like the Samsung 9 Series but its just as pricey as a dell, so between the two ill take the one with some decent customer service.
Tofi i'm not yet ready to take the mac plunge. Maybe i will... one day :)
McPendo true say brotha, you just conjured up a colonel sanders image in my mind. Now that's what ill imagine everytime i think of Tofi :-D
Re: Lightweight Laptop
Cheegs, what's with the hesitation regarding switching to a MAC?
Re: Lightweight Laptop
Nikita, it’s about the same as your hesitation to convert to Hinduism. Plus when i buy a computer it’s usually to get actual work done on it :halo:
Re: Lightweight Laptop
Vat, u think vee playings vith our Macitas? 
Re: Lightweight Laptop
true words from heart.
I will suggest Sony VAIO Z series, a bit costly but it get things done. Definitely one of the lightest laptop around. I bought one last month for 1799$ on sale, the specs are:
intel core i7 2.10 quad-core
8GB Ram
256GB SSD
bluetooth,gps,wireless all standard
touch pad is perfect
its made of carbon fiber very light weight and less then none heat signatures. oh yeh it also comes with free noise cancellation headphones sonystyle price for headphones alone is 175$
Re: Lightweight Laptop
Cheegs dude since when did you start worrying about image and perceptions?
I'd say go with the Dell. In fact, the XPS you linked to looks like a good deal. I might look into it myself. I've been using Dells for 10 years now. Never regretted it because it's always been about Utility and Reliability for me.