HDMI, DVI and integrated v.s. discrete graphics?

Hello, I am closer to deciding on a laptop but I still have some questions.

I am looking at a Clevo clone, Sony Vaio Z (?) or if I go for a cheaper system, maybe HP DV4 or DV5.

The only other contender would be a Thinkpad/Lenovo but it depends on options.

I would like eSATA so I can connect an external drive and have my data on it.

The other priority brings me to my questions. I would like the option of hooking the notebook up to a LCD monitor. The monitor has a native resolution of 1600 x 1050. This is the standard for many 20" and 22" LCD monitors, right?

Therefore, if I want to use the monitor's resolution, does my video chip in the notebook need to be able to provide that as a minimum resolution? In other words, if I pick the Clevo/Sager laptop clone that offers 1680 x 1050, I can achieve that? Most of the other laptops only offer 1440 x 900 or 1280 x 800 so I won't have optimal resolutions if I use my LCD monitor?

This won't be often but it's more of a convenience. The other issue is when watching DVD movies. I won't have Blu-Ray but I will have DVD movies so does it matter which video chip is in the notebook? I would like the notebook to have the option of hooking up to the LCD monitor using DVI (or HDMI) so do I need a notebook with a discrete graphics card for that? I think the Sony Vaio series only offers DVI or HDMI with discrete graphics. So, any Intel X4500-only chips don't have a HDMI port in Sony laptops?

If I don't get one with the LED backlit screen, will movies still look on it in comparison? The hardware of the Sony Vaio Zs make the laptops very light. How heavy are the other brands?

Is $1900 a good deal for a Clevo clone? I'm trying to persuade myself that is a good deal but I don't know if I can budget that. lol! If I go lower, I want to know what my options are. What allows for native resolution on my monitor and offers a DVI hookup? I want to be able to watch movies and have other things on the laptop going. Most of these laptops have the Intel P8400 so I'm probably good on cpu power?

I guess that's it for the questions so I'll wait for some answers. I think the list of preference is like this:
1) Clevo clone TU860
2) Sony Vaio Z
3) HP DV5
4) Thinkpad T400/T500/SL300/400... (no idea... they don't offer all I would like in a package but the quality/price is right).

 

I have my HP dv4z (1280x800 res) hooked up to my 1920x1200 res external monitor via HDMI at native res, no problem. The Radeon HD 3200 integrated GPU plays Blu-ray video from an external drive I hooked up to the eSATA port. Lesser integrated GPUs (anything Intel) can't do Blu-ray of course. Anyhow, the current AMD/ATI chipset Turion notebooks from HP will do what you want. I'll let someone else vouch for the Intel versions. The dv4 series has a LED screen option, the dv5 series doesn't. Buy the 12 cell battery option, it lifts the back of the notebook for better cooling.

Oh, you'll need to buy a HDMI to DVI cable to use with your DVI input monitor. See Monoprice, etc. Cheap.

 

Really? I thought you could only get the res. that your notebook screen can deliver out of an external LCD monitor? Hmmmm... I guess it is just using the notebook's graphics card and signal to the monitor? Okay, good to know.

I like the Intel-based notebooks because of lower heat and I am more familiar with them.

I like the LED screen for when I watch movies/video on the notebook and I am not familiar with which notebooks have a good screen. I think most are glossy but I figured that screen quality differed from brand to brand and different resolutions might play a factor but not sure.

Thanks for the comments!