I have been waiting for a 13.3"-14" ultrabook that features an IPS screen (for photo-editing purposes), has a backlit keyboard, and sports a decent GPU (for light-to-moderate gaming while I am away from my beastly desktop). Also, I know Haswell will change the landscape in 2013, but the present-day Intel HD4000's do not really meet those light gaming needs.
The closest Intel iteration that I've found is the Asus Zenbook UX32VD, which actually features a GeForce 620M (aka Fermi 520M) and not the Intel HD4000. However, it's still on the weaker side for games with its last generation mobile GPU.
Most recently, I stumbled on info about the Asus u38n Vivobook that is quietly entering the market. It has an A10-A4655m (with Radeon 7620g), 6gb of ram, 128gb ssd, and an IPS touchscreen with Windows 8. Not many benchmarks are out but I stumbled on the product page and a review.
Asus u38n Product Page
Ultrabookreview.com's Youtube Review
Beyond the Asus u38n, should I be considering any other laptops? Perhaps I am putting too much stock into the Radeon 7620g?
My 4-year old laptop is on its last legs. However, my laptop needs aren't "urgently immediate" if that makes any sense. Perhaps I should just wait for Haswell?
I'm not expecting gaming miracles, but am happy to trade-off some CPU performance for the extra GPU performance. Yet, I feel like I am overlooking something since most laptops are Intel-based that use the HD4000 and have TN panels.
The closest Intel iteration that I've found is the Asus Zenbook UX32VD, which actually features a GeForce 620M (aka Fermi 520M) and not the Intel HD4000. However, it's still on the weaker side for games with its last generation mobile GPU.
Most recently, I stumbled on info about the Asus u38n Vivobook that is quietly entering the market. It has an A10-A4655m (with Radeon 7620g), 6gb of ram, 128gb ssd, and an IPS touchscreen with Windows 8. Not many benchmarks are out but I stumbled on the product page and a review.
Asus u38n Product Page
Ultrabookreview.com's Youtube Review
Beyond the Asus u38n, should I be considering any other laptops? Perhaps I am putting too much stock into the Radeon 7620g?
My 4-year old laptop is on its last legs. However, my laptop needs aren't "urgently immediate" if that makes any sense. Perhaps I should just wait for Haswell?
I'm not expecting gaming miracles, but am happy to trade-off some CPU performance for the extra GPU performance. Yet, I feel like I am overlooking something since most laptops are Intel-based that use the HD4000 and have TN panels.