Dear Gurus and Sifus,

I'm extremely interested to get a new laptop in the next 1-2 months time..


May i know what is the best bang-for-buck laptop in the market which is in the range of Rm2500.00 and below?...


Uses for the laptop: surfing, skype, youtube, movie, Mafia wars (facebook game)


pls recommend me the models. thanx..

This post has been edited by fastreader: May 5 2010, 02:15 AM

go for DELL Inspiron 14z

the processor seems kinda weak...are u sure its good?..

i was thnking more of i3 (or maybe i5 if budget allows)

Well 1-2 months is a long time in Computer World.
What you will be paying 2day will be more and 2morrow less.
Meaning when you look at the price 2day and in say a months time, the price could be slightly lower then.
The Acer would be the best Bang for Buck now with i3 and Nvidia 512mb graphics, but 2Gb DDR3 with 500Gb HDD and Win7 Home Premium..is arounf rm2,299.00 at C-zone eith 3yrs warranty
A friend of mine bought 2 units today and upgraded the Ram to 4Gb ,extra Rm180.00

But if you add just a bit more you get i5 with 1gb of Graphics for Acer or Asus...

Best bang for Buck, its almost Acer, but its your choice, but try to get one with 3years warranty.

I hope i have helped in some way..
Cheers

oic..alrite..acer with i3 and 512mb graphic...

wat's the asus spec?..

Acer Aspire 4740G-rm2299, 4745G-rm2699

Toshiba Satellite L510 rm2499

Asus A42F- rm2399(i3 350M), A42JK 2699(i3 350M), K50IJ rm1999

With that budget lots of options for you.

considering Acer Aspire 4740G

how good is it?

can i play games like crysis,COD on it?

CoD should be fine on low/medium setting...while Crysis, maybe low ...overall performance, as a light/med gaming laptop should be consider fine

thx 4 the info

which GPU is better..

ati mobility radeon hd 5470(4745G) or nvidia gforce 310M(Acer Aspire 4740G)?

Acer 4740G, i5 430M + Nvidia 310M@RM2499 ..??

yes.. you can play crysis and Call of Duty[even MW2]...
but in really low setting..

because crysis really need high end graphic... or at least some middle class graphic such as HD 5650/GT335 [but still cannot play high setting]


well... then.. you need to have at least 4 GB RAM[you can add them]...to play crysis..

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Added on May 5, 2010, 10:56 amHD 5470 is better than G310M

This post has been edited by kae7: May 5 2010, 10:56 AM

Bold = Better...well, its a Class 2 card and the performance is above G310M...better go with 4745G if you ask me

This post has been edited by miahahaha: May 5 2010, 10:57 AM

wow..this info is helpful!!!!..will google each of it and compare their specs...

thanx a lot...

Maybe this flyer will help.

ok..after some surver from Techhypermart...

i tink it is either 4740G (RM 2299.00)(i3 proc) VS 4745G (RM2599.00)(i5 proc) or Asus A42K (i5 proc)..


the A42JK is integrated graphic kah?..how come the website din put wat type of GPU?..they only put ATI mobility Radeon HD ( 1024MB GDDR3 VRAM )..(http://www.techhypermart.com/notebooks/asus/asus-a42jk-vx050b-w7hp-14-hd-led-notebook-laptop-core-i5-cpu.html)

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Added on May 5, 2010, 2:20 pmis ATI 5145 GPU good?...compared with G310, which is better?..5145 or G310?..

This post has been edited by fastreader: May 5 2010, 02:20 PM

A42Jk is HD5145...
HD5145 > 310M
Though best-bang-for-buck for now, I must say Dell Inspiron 13R, i3 330M + ATi HD5470@RM2299, the only problem is no DVD Drive...
You can use FCRS8ZLJBKLRWR to get it down to RM 2249...

This post has been edited by lee_what2004: May 5 2010, 03:03 PM

+1 for 13R, 13 330 + 5470, upgrade to W7HP price is still just RM2379. Right now, that's my top pick. The only problem as stated is the 13R doesn't have opt drive..

yo...fastreader...rmb me?XD
b to topic...IMO based on ur requirements..I didnt found any reasons u should take a laptop vit dedicated GPU...if just normal surfing + movie...i3 or i5 will do...i recommend u to get an on-board GPU ( if u r not planning to game on ur laptop )
FYI dedicated GPU produce more heat & drain up ur battery fast...n it is much more cheaper !
so wat think u...

This post has been edited by nothing_nth: May 5 2010, 03:11 PM

Well, seems like fastreader need something that can last long and won't generate heat much...i actually prefer suggesting something that comes with Integrated GC for longer battery life..maybe TS can opt on Acer instead because Acer tends to last for 4 hours max with battery ...well, others also the same

Integrated wise...
Acer 4740, i5 430M + GMA HD, freeDOS@RM1999...
But another 1-2 months later, new model will come up

best bang for buck is definitely acer for ur price range..
but i do think getting ur budget to near rm3k makes a better bet for a long term run...(better cpu,more ram,better gpu etc. u could probably get a 9cell batt too, if u r a wireless guy who likes to sit in the toilet and surf the net )

yeap!! of cus i still do!!!!.. my dear E63 fans

anyway, i did consider integrated GPU too...but then i'm greedy for the new Intel i- processor...and then the worst part are those with integrated GPU cost nearly as much as those that are with dedicated GPU... so kinda a catch-22 situation...

but..will still consider those with integrated GPU too...less heat mah..as quoted below...



no la..3k too much liao..over budget...anyway, thanx for ur suggestion..

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Added on May 5, 2010, 7:54 pmis this for real???...i5 for below 2k?...if this is the real deal without any typos, seems like i've made my decision oredy and this thread can close liao...

seriously....this spec is for real?...

This post has been edited by fastreader: May 5 2010, 07:51 PM

@fastreader
Yes, that spec is real ....

the new Dell Inspiron 13R looks like a value buy.. for RM2299, you got Core i3 with ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5470 - 1GB

4741G also not bad, same spec as 4740G.
But with better outlook and lighter.

dell inspiron 13R..im looking 4ward to it...is it a new model???

New model

is it available now????

stick with the laptop den u have to get build in graphics , less heat and somemore longer time battery life per usage...compare dedicated graphics .. if u purposely for gaming puropose and less take out from ur room .. better take desktop la

build in graphics mostl;y can run this edy "surfing, skype, youtube, movie, (facebook game)" mafia wars mayb can with low settings

This post has been edited by destee88: May 5 2010, 09:59 PM

oic...juz curious lah, how come most of the 4740 i googled are advertised with the i3 processor?...is the i5 proc a phased-out model?...dun mind to advise me on this...


4741G?..still available?..

Hi, can consider

Acer AS4741G-332G50
-Ci3-330/2GB/500GB/DVDRW/ATI radeon 5450 512MB VGA/Webcam/B.Tooth/Wifi/W7HP/3 yrs warranty
RM2260

COMPAQ CQ42-189TX
-Intel i3 330, 2gb DDR3 ram,320GB HDD,ATI radeon 5430 512MB VGA, Webcam, B.Tooth, Wifi,Win7 Premium, 3 yrs warranty
RM2199

Lenovo G460-Core i3-330M 5903-8711 (W7HP)
I3-330M 2.13GHZ / DDR3 2GB / 500GB / DVDRW / Nvidia 310M 512MB / 14.1"WXGA / CAM / WIFI / W7HP
RM2399

TOSHIBA L510-S4316B WEIGHT: 2.35kg
i3-330M 2.13G / DDR3 2GB / DVDRW / 320GB / 14.1" / Intel X4500 GMA / WEBCAM / W7HP
RM2499

Asus A42JK-I350WHP2G500GDL
14" HD (1366x768) LED backlit | i3-350M 2.26 GHz 3MB | 2GB DDR3 SO-DIMM | Windows® 7 Home Premium | ATI Mobility Radeon HD5145 1G GDDR3 VRAM| WLAN 802.11b/g/n | Bluetooth2.1 + EDR | 500GB HDD | 0.3M Pixel Web Cam | 3 in1 card reader, SD,MMC,MS | 8xSuper Multi-Dual DRW| 2 YearsGlobal Warranty | Battery & Adapter 12 months warranty |
RM2699

iaya juz go to the Vostro 3400 Professional 32 / 64bit package la.
i3-330M
2GB DDR3
320GB Hard Disk
GeForce 310M
14" (1366 x 768)
Price : RM 2399

Alternatively, can go for Dell 13R instead.
Intel® Core™ i3-330M Processor (2.13Ghz, 4 Threads, 3M cache)
2GB (1 X 2 GB) 1 DIMM DDR3 1333Mhz
250GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5470 - 1GB
13.3" (1366 x 768)
Price: RM 2,299.00

[quote=fastreader,May 5 2010, 07:45 PM]
yeap!! of cus i still do!!!!.. my dear E63 fans

anyway, i did consider integrated GPU too...but then i'm greedy for the new Intel i- processor...and then the worst part are those with integrated GPU cost nearly as much as those that are with dedicated GPU... so kinda a catch-22 situation...

but..will still consider those with integrated GPU too...less heat mah..as quoted below...

[/quote]

[/quote]
Lol...glad tht u still rmb me...
IMO...no point u get a dedicated gpu which u never gonna use it... no only heat...it also drain ur battery ...can u imagine...ur laptop can only stand for 2 hours ? unless u get a hybrid gpu system laptop ...if not... i would recommended u to take integrate GPU ...
however...it still based on u urself...wat u wan...if battery & $$ not a prob for u...then a dedicated GPU is always > integrate ...caz u cant upgrade ur gpu...

13R is good on GPU, but unfortunately she / he dun needs it. also 13R dun have the optical drive, when u wan install something. it's kind of unpleasant and inconvenient even u use External optical drive, will the USB faster than internal? 13" too small already and without optical drive + cheap OS.

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Added on May 6, 2010, 8:47 am
haha.... that's y my Vostro 3400 was the best choice for her, got discrete graphic, good OS, OKOK Processor, larger screen, included with optical drive.

This post has been edited by alex890628: May 6 2010, 08:49 AM

Was replying because I saw TS mention: "best bang-for-buck laptop in the market which is in the range of Rm2500.00 and below". Dell 13R just a suggestion as alternative.

Well, if TS prefer bigger 14" or 15" screen, a must optical drive, good OS, OKOK Processor, then do consider the rest also. Vostro 3400 has nice corporate design.

This post has been edited by Kelv: May 6 2010, 11:50 AM

alrite...will check out Vostro 3400..


This post has been edited by fastreader: May 8 2010, 03:16 PM

ok..technically, i've narrowed it down to this 2 models..side by side battle...

Compaq CQ42-188T
i3-330 processor
ATI 5430 GPU
2Gb, 320GB

Acer Aspire
i5-430 processor
Integrated GPU
1GB ( which i dun mind to upgrade,NOT an important factor), 320GB

BOTH are priced at RM 2049.00 NETT.

dear experts, pls advise me which is the best bang for buck...

Do you have any other personal preference that should narrow down more on your choice? Maybe keyboard design and weight?

it is hard for me to choose...no preference for design or weight..just function over form...

so which would u choose?..the acer or the compaq?..

btw, i notice in ur siggy u own an Acer...how's it?..heating issue?.. dun mind to share ur honest review about it..

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Added on May 8, 2010, 3:29 pmam reading ur review..no worries... high end stuff dude...

This post has been edited by fastreader: May 8 2010, 03:29 PM

188tx - reason is because there is a gpu. altho 5340 is entry level, but sufficient for the things u mentioned u r gonna use ur laptop for.

also, i've come to notice that those entry level i3 and i5 does makes very little difference in performance as long as u got a whole bunch of ram.

abt heating issue, compaq does haf a slight heating issue (i mean those cq 42 series). im using 177tx and i notice there is a significant amt of hot air at the vents eventho im just fb-ing and mafia war-ing. however easily overcome with a cooling fan and unless u r gonna use ur lappie in an oven, i dun think it posed any explosion hazards.

so for this entry level GPU, would it be comparable/similar to integrated ones with the i5 processor?...or it is STILL better to get the 5430?..

because IF the 5430 is nearly the same performance with the integrated GPU from the i5 processor, then i mite as well get the i5 machine from Acer...cos:better proc,similar GPU performance...and i will add in 2Gb ram(making it 3 Gb)...

so what do u tink?..is the integrated GPU for i5 processor similar to 5430?...and is it worth it to get a 5430 than the integrated GPu for the i5 processor?..

pls advise...

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Added on May 8, 2010, 7:50 pmpls advise me...

This post has been edited by fastreader: May 8 2010, 07:50 PM

For me, first I will eye for the spec...then the design...then the comfortability when u're using it such as the keyboard, LCD, battery and ports....
My 4820TG have no problem with heat for the time being...I'm loving it every second I'm using it...love the thin design...eh high end stuff? Where got?

there is definitely significant difference. but if u asked to what extent,i think that depends on how u can accept the graphics (very subjective to different individuals).
but as far as ur intentions with ur 'future lappie', i dont think it will make any significant difference. however my bet is still with an external gpu. u get more of ur proc to do some other stuff than rendering graphics. never know when u need ur proc to do something else...
and jus fo references, its better u head to intel website and check both the proc. there are alot of overlapping processor from them lately. eg. take some of the higher end i3, compare with a entry level i5. they are practically the same! similarly for the i5s and i7s.

leaving my proc to do other thing?..would i5 do the job better, since it got turbo boost?..but the i5 model from acer is integrted gpu...

anyway, in ur most honest opinion, which would u go for urself?...

Compaq CQ42-188T
i3-330 processor
ATI 5430 GPU
2Gb, 320GB

OR

Acer Aspire
i5-430 processor
Integrated GPU
1GB(will be upgraded to 3GB) 320Gb...

the turbo boost is 'up to ur proc to decide'. u cant get it to turbo boost 24/7. eg. as to when and where ur processor 'feels' like it needs additional processing power, then it will go into turbo boost mode.

my call will still be the external gpu, i.e 188tx.

just fyi, with ext gpu, it drains battery faster.

oic.so in a way outta our control lah..ouccchh..tat sux...


a sifu had chosen the Compaq with the dedicated GPu...seems like tat would be the real deal then...

its alrite with the battery...mostly will b using power...

BUT will external GPU produce more heat?...by a lot..or juz slightly more heaty than an integrated GPU?...



This post has been edited by fastreader: May 9 2010, 12:18 PM

dear sifu and experts..do help to advise me...

you mean external GPU docking station?

if yes, it not worth it.

naw..wat he meant was the dedicated GPU...

anyway, Mr Doc...

will ededicated GPU produce more heat?...by a lot..or juz slightly more heaty than an integrated GPU?...

model in question are:
Compaq CQ42-188T
i3-330 processor
ATI 5430 GPU
2Gb, 320GB

OR

Acer Aspire
i5-430 processor
Integrated GPU
1GB(will be upgraded to 3GB) 320Gb...

as far as the laptop stack-up is concerned, a dedicated gpu does generate more 'distributed' heat (i.e. ur proc doesnt generate all the heat). then again, as long as u dont block the venting holes, it shouldnt the least bit affect ur decision.

actually its not about how high heat generated by those GPUs or chipset but how well is the ventilation for the heat to be blown.

and to answer that, you need to physically look at it or find some review about it

oic...so it still needa depend on the design lah...ok ok...
if tat's the case, we forget about the heat..since i dun reli know how to check the disign too..and asuming both wun generate so much heat since its entry level machine..

Considering best bang-for-buck factor...
which would be a better buy?..both are same price..purpose of use: movie,surfing, skype, mafia wars(facebook game)...

Compaq CQ42-188T
i3-330 processor
ATI 5430 GPU
2Gb, 320GB

OR

Acer Aspire 4740
i5-430 processor
Integrated GPU
1GB(will be upgraded to 3GB) 320Gb...

which would be the ideal ones for the best bang-for-buck factor?...ignore the heat factor..

This post has been edited by fastreader: May 9 2010, 02:06 PM

i am interested with compaq cq42 series oso , can anyone provide some actual picture of that series here? coz saw in newspaper the design is different with cq41 series, the cq42 looks like apple 's mac book no time to go shopping yet ....

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Added on May 9, 2010, 2:09 pmi recomend u choose Compaq CQ42-188T
i3-330 processor
ATI 5430 GPU
2Gb, 320GB

This post has been edited by xk2: May 9 2010, 02:09 PM

yeap..i've seen the actual product in retail shop..it is really beautiful..suitable for us lady.. and all the pattern around it is nice too...i like the skin color too...at least not as boring as the usual black or white...its actuially cream color...go chck it out and u will fall in love with it..


BUT then Acer aspire 4740 is stealing my heart with the i5 processor...both same price le...
so..which would be a better choice?..

the acer with i5(integreated GPu) or the compaq with i3 and dedicated GPU?..

lol you do want to take in 'alot' of considerations prior buying dont u?

if u r considering the processor, why dont u head to intel website and see the differences in the i3 and i5 offered in both machines? they have a comparison chart where u get to see what both can offer. i5s have the HT where u can get 'virtual' cores for multitasking. i.e i5 m430 is a dual core processor but if u open ur task manager, u will see 4 cores. 2 virtual duplication of both physical cores. if i am not wrong, only the most high end i3 has that feature.

and i do agree with u, the design is not as boring as other laptops with just black and white colors.

to xk2:
i doubt u can find any pictures in websites. even hp website doesnt offer images for cq42

see it this way... ur computer is as fast as the slowest hardware...

give u quad core but integrated graphic, it's still not match to a dual core with dedicated GPU...

as far as flash is concerned (Youtube), it's better to ve dedicated graphic... afterall when comes to GPGPU (in ur case, rendering flash with GPU), NV and ATi are still way better than Intel...

This post has been edited by astria: May 9 2010, 02:42 PM

thats the basic

well, 1 thing's for sure... the WEI Of the CQ42 is gonna be higher than the 4740...

i got around 1-2 months to make my decision mah..so can slowly analyse the product out there and discuss it here... no hurry after all..

by the sounds of it..seems like the compaq with dedicated gpu would be the worthy buy now...

since i believe my usualy sue would include youtube...moviesss...

what's WEI?..the weight?..

WEI = Windows Experience Index...the thing that measures your spec and show you the score for the performance of each hardware ..well, nothing that would affect the performance

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Added on May 9, 2010, 4:09 pmWell, like the others already point out, its always better to have one laptop with a dedicated GC than without it cause when comes to rendering any flash for YT, it would help much better than Intel (integrated GC)...

This post has been edited by miahahaha: May 9 2010, 04:09 PM

oic...so since the compaq with dedicated gpu is higher..it would be advisable to get tat one then..

alrite..will be on the lookout for any laptop with dedicated gpu then...hopefully more new model will be released soon...

WEI (didn't know this has a short form) lol


Attached thumbnail(s)

i prefer the print preview though.. .

This post has been edited by astria: May 9 2010, 05:44 PM


Attached thumbnail(s)

This is the WEI for BenQ S42 ..Just showing though

im too lazy to upload.. so i made a text of my WEI

Component Details Subscore Base score
Processor Intel® Core™ i5 CPU M 430 @ 2.27GHz 6.4 5.1
Determined by lowest subscore
Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB 6.4
Graphics ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5430 5.1
Gaming graphics 1786 MB Total available graphics memory 6.0
Primary hard disk 421GB Free (454GB Total) 5.9
Windows 7 Home Premium

System
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
Model Presario CQ42 Notebook PC
Total amount of system memory 4.00 GB RAM
System type 32-bit operating system
Number of processor cores 2
64-bit capable Yes

Storage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total size of hard disk(s) 466 GB
Disk partition (C:) 421 GB Free (454 GB Total)
Disk partition (D:) 2 GB Free (11 GB Total)
Disk partition (E:) 96 MB Free (99 MB Total)
Media drive (F:) CD/DVD

Graphics
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Display adapter type ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5430
Total available graphics memory 1786 MB
Dedicated graphics memory 512 MB
Dedicated system memory 0 MB
Shared system memory 1274 MB
Display adapter driver version 8.681.0.0
Primary monitor resolution 1366x768
DirectX version DirectX 10

This post has been edited by Arcueid000: May 9 2010, 06:25 PM

thanx for sharing this, Arcueid000!!!! really appreciate this.. cos its one of the model in consideration...but is potentially the model i will be getting soon..thanx a lot for all ur input..

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Added on May 9, 2010, 6:45 pmnot tat high end one lah..cos ur model exceed budget by nearly Rm200 going by the thread title

but similar GPu diff processor i guess..

This post has been edited by fastreader: May 9 2010, 06:45 PM

today i went to the shop to have a GOOD look at the compaq (CQ42) model...cos i'm reli interested to buy it liao..


BUT then, only then i notice, the connector between the keyboard and the LCd is just hooked on just 2 hinge!!!!...

is this risky?.. i mean if after long term of opening and closing the lid, will the hinge go loose and drop off?..


if i compare with the acer model, at least the hinge between the lcd and the keyboard is connected together in a row...like the whole stretch is connected together...

so, sifu and experts, pls advise me whether is it advisable to get the compaq, although the connecting part between the lcd and kayboard is on juz 2 hinge nia?...

Acer Aspire 4741G i3 330, Nvidia 310M, 500GB now 2199 very worth Many shops has this price.

err this thread becoming WEI thread already...

y not consider dell laptop?

ya...I think DELL is more suitable..

Nope, iirc almost all Compaq laptop are like that and my friend been using his CQ41 for almost a year now..always open/close because bring to travel, so far now loose connector ...

Unless you are a rough person that closed/opened your laptop with rough power then even 10 hinges won't be enough

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Added on May 21, 2010, 6:40 pmWell, Dell Inspiron 14R would be a nice choice also, comes with HD5470

This post has been edited by miahahaha: May 21 2010, 06:40 PM

Haa.. anyone using 13R here? Mind to post me the WEI? =)

asus EEE Pc 1201N, mobility at it's best! Got it, Love it!

oic.. just tat i'm paranoid..

nope..dell dun give laptop bag or any free gifts...although i know they do make gud product..

anyway, their recent product lineup isn't priced very competitively with competition..juz my personal opinion...not an obliging statement to start flame war about DELL..

CQ42 is a great notebook. Aspire 4741G is also great.
which one would you choose then?
i've tested both notebook and i love them both.. couldnt make a pick myself lol.

maybe other option...??

below RM 2500 can get better than those