well, for those kind of job, quad core should be better than dual core.
i7 that would fit your budget would be studio 14/15.
Studio XPS16 cost at rm 4999 with i7 but it has Full HD screen.

well, if you want the best gpu, nvidia gtx280m with i7, need to at least 6.1k, sager np8690.

hd4530 on studio 14, is just entry level from ati, but it can beat the card from nvidia with similar price( under 2.8k)
next step up would be hd4570 on studio 15, with the cheaper cost at rm 3999, but bigger screen.

next, if budget up to 5k, can consider, the gpu used can consider as middle level.
lenovo ideapad y550, with i7 and nvidia gt240m, rm 4799
studio xps 16, i7 and hd4670, rm 4999
these two are similar in performance wise, except studio xps 16 has 1920x1080 resolution and onsite warranty.

performance, can't complaint much, its the best you can get by your budget.

This post has been edited by lee_what2004: Nov 22 2009, 10:15 PM

Compaq CQ40-518AU, should be less 1.6k

can consider inspiron 14 for rm1999, better after sales service.
if want some break having games, asus k40ab for rm 1999
if want long battery life, 6-7 hours, acer 4810TZ for rm 1999
all is 14''

if want smaller, 11.6'', acer 1810TZ at rm 1899, long battery life as well.

yeah, celeron > atom.
plus the gpu on acer is intel gma 4500 mhd, which is better than the intel gma950 (2 older generation from gma 4500mhd) that usually paired with atom.

so the su2300 + 4500mhd gives better overall than atom + gma 950.

well, to lower the cost, hence the no OS.
if for work, better take dell, because of the onsite warranty, if something happens, no need to spend weeks on service center

thinkpad sl400, hp probook 4410, dell vostro 1014, vostro 1088
budget business notebook~

acer 4540, acer 4736
other brand: samsung r420

dell studio 15, sager np2098, benq s42

can't get 13'' below 2k. Suggest Asus k40ab for rm 1999 if want to play game.
amd is just the same as intel, its just that its abit hotter but not that hot till can burn people.
but cpu are build to withstand it, no problem.

in term of gaming performance, sager np2098 > benq s42 > studio 15.
sager np2098 can be had by 2.8k with t6500, hd4650, no OS.
benq s42 is rm 2999, with p8700, nvidia 9600m gt, no OS.
studio 15 is rm 2699 with t6600, hd4570, win 7.

try inspiron 13 + up the gpu to hd4330, but no dvd drive, weight at 1.8kg

This post has been edited by lee_what2004: Nov 24 2009, 09:57 PM

yeah, but upgrade the video card to hd4330 if want to play some games.

the basic model is rm 2199, after upgrade become rm 24xx.
but that if you buy it online.
if you buy from shop, I doubt they have the basic model with upgraded video card, most probably they have the higher end model, rm 2999, with faster processor and hd4330.

that's what I mean, if you buy from shop, most probably they only keep the rm 2199 and rm 2999 model, you can't upgrade at shop. need to order online.

hp, 13'' also need 2.9k, dv3-2111tx

envy 13 rm 7999


This post has been edited by lee_what2004: Nov 24 2009, 11:02 PM

if afraid hard drive spoiled while on the sea, change it to ssd, but it still very expensive.

increase budget abit to 2.7k, then get dell studio 15.
else, asus k40ab/k50ab at rm 1999

U80 is the latest model, replacing F81
F81 should be no more I guess?

well, if possible, buy online, since after upgrade the video card, still inside your budget~

the gma4500mhd on the basic model is weaker than nvidia on your last hp notebook

if want to game, take the ul50vg,
the intel gma 4500mhd on dv4 is horrible for gaming.

other suitable for gaming is studio 15, benq s42, toshiba l510-s4314
the only advantage of ul50vg is its thinner and provide longer battery life, performance wise, lose to those three.

well, performance wise, it lose out from inspiron 13.
but that still ok, because the main selling point of 1810TZ is small and long battery life while still better performance than atom netbook.
but yeah, don't hope much on gaming.

This post has been edited by lee_what2004: Nov 25 2009, 02:22 PM