Help selecting a laptop up to $2500

1_What is your budget?

Up to US$2500

2_What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?

13-15 inch

3_What screen resolution do you want?

900x1600 or greater. I don't want a resolution of 1,024x768, which seems very common for 13-14 inch screens.

4_Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?

portable, lightweight is better

5_How much battery life do you need?

at least 4 h

6_Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?

No

7_What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo / Video editing,watching movies, Etc.)

photoediting
photoshop
Word, excel, powerpoint
some video editing (Sony Vegas)

8_How much storage (H.D.D Capacity) do you need?

prefer 300+ Gb, 7200 rpm

9_If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.

no

10_How long do you want to keep your laptop?

3 years+

11_What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc ?

have external DVD burner so none needed

12_Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.

My Sony Vaio VGN-S38 (5 years old) that has died. I liked it, great display. That's the only experience I have with laptops.

13_What country do you live in?

Taiwan

14_Please tell us any additional information if needed.

a) I prefer recent processors (i5 or i7).

b) I don't like the small screen of the new Sony Z series. The ultra-widescreen seems like it will require a lot of up and down scrolling to read anything. I like the older 16:9 screens.

c) I would like something under 4.5 pounds if possible.

Dell Studio 15 would be a good option

Yeah but the OP doesn't want to game,so there is no need to get a 5830

Which Dell models are available in Taiwan then ?

I definately don't want a Mac.

I had Macs for almost 15 years but they are big trouble in Taiwan - poor compatibility especially when giving talks.