Laptop/tablet advice

[Monoriu]

My current laptop is becoming too slow, and it can't play HD movies.  It plays non-HD movies choppily. 

I use it almost exclusively for travel, so weight is my number 1 issue.  Ideally, it should be around 1kg (weak arms).  I use it for internet and iTunes.  Good internet connectivity is a must.  I once had a laptop that claims to have WiFi function but in reality the connection is always horrible  I also want to connect it with a portable harddrive and DVD drive via USB.  If a tablet can do all these I am willing to consider it.  Microsoft Office would be a nice-to-have, but not absolutely essential.  Desired screen size is around 10-12 inch. 

No macs.  I don't think I can connect a USB device to an ipad, so that's out too. 

Any suggestions?

[Tonitrus]

They're not out yet, but the previews of Vizio's new laptops (and maybe tablet too) that they unveiled at CES look promising as a Mac alternative.

[Lucidor]

http://eee.asus.com/eeepad/transformer-prime/features/

I've been toying with the idea of getting this for some time. Tablet + keyboard.

[derspiess]

They're not out yet, but the previews of Vizio's new laptops (and maybe tablet too) that they unveiled at CES look promising as a Mac alternative.

Ditto.  They're also supposed to come with zero crapware pre-loaded, so you should be able to hit the ground running without having to de-crapify your system or do a fresh install of the OS.

[Monoriu]

Thanks.

After a bit of looking around, I am pretty sure that all tablets are out.  There is only one model that has a USB port.  And it is quite useless, because I can't plug an external HD there and play the movie files inside.  The idea of using a computer without Windows or Explorer also horrifies me 

How come they don't make tablet-looking computers that run Windows? 

I'm now leaning toward something called Ultrabooks, whatever that means.  Light and fast, that's what I want.   

[DontSayBanana]

Thanks.

After a bit of looking around, I am pretty sure that all tablets are out.  There is only one model that has a USB port.  And it is quite useless, because I can't plug an external HD there and play the movie files inside.  The idea of using a computer without Windows or Explorer also horrifies me 

How come they don't make tablet-looking computers that run Windows? 

I'm now leaning toward something called Ultrabooks, whatever that means.  Light and fast, that's what I want.  

Windows has done tablets, but their timing has historically been bad and they've had lousy luck with the market in general.  I unloaded it in '06, but I actually used to have a "hybrid" laptop/tablet that ran Windows XP Tablet Edition- I miss it very much.

[Lucidor]

Hey now, you can play anything from that Transformer Prime, it has drivers for all kinds of disks, like NTFS. However, if you want to do heavy typing I would recomend a computer.