Asus A45Vm-VX029v, i7-3610QM + Nvidia GT630M (2GB)@RM2899[2.4kg], 4GB, 750GB(5400rpm)

Dell
[Ultrabook]Inspiron 14z, i5-3317U + AMD HD7570M + 32GB SSD + 500GB(5400rpm)@RM2599[1.87kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm) *no VGA port
[Ultrabook]Inspiron 14z, i7-3517U + AMD HD7570M + 32GB SSD + 500GB(5400rpm)@RM2899[1.87kg], 8GB, 500GB(5400rpm) *no VGA port

Lenovo
Y480, i7-3610QM + Nvidia GT640(40nm Fermi)@2999[JBL], 4GB, 750GB(5400rpm), backlit keyboard
Y480, i7-3610QM + Nvidia GT650(GDDR5)@2499[JBL], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), backlit keyboard, FreeDOS

Gaming performance:
Y480 (GT650m) > Y480 (GT640m) > GT630m > HD7570M

CPU performance:
i7-3610QM > i7-3517U > i5-3317U

Battery life:
i5-3317U > i7-3517U > i7-3610QM

Hi pros,

Need some advice on getting a new lappy for myself, mainly to use it as a workhorse, so extended 3 years on-site warranty is preferred.

Brand : Any
CPU: Ivy Bridge
Budget : RM 3-4k
Usage : Photo editing
Screen : 13 or 14", I have big external display
Weight: <2kg
RAM: Upgradable to 8Gb preferred
Display: discrete (kepler is still pretty rare?)

Thank you

1. Preferred Brand: Asus
2. Budget : around 2k
3. Usage : autocad , gaming at medium setting
4. Preferred laptop/screen size : 15"

was thinking whether i should pick Ivy bridge or sand bridge since Ivy bridge have heating issue ( remark : not going to OC )

and whether GT 610M is enough for my usage or should i top up and get a unit with better gc

hi sifu-sifu ...

just need to some advise... i'm looking fwd to notebook mainly for photo editing...

1. is 14" good enough or need 15.6"
2. do i really need i7 or i5 good enough?
3. is the powerful GPU plays a role as well?.. e.g 2gb rather 1gb?
4. does it make much diff for display?.. full HD or just HD?

tq for yur help..

This post has been edited by ugly: Jul 9 2012, 11:22 AM

Pretty much Dell
Can go for this one:
14"
Dell Inspiron 14R (Special Edition), i7-3612QM + Nvidia GT640M(28nm Kepler)@RM2799[2.38kg], 8GB, 1TB(5400rpm); backlit keyboard optional
Just use the remaining money to extend warranty to 3 years~

I would usually recommend the XPS lines because of the better quality screens, but it seems like the recent models are kind of sucky, where most are running on ULV processors and are very expensive...

Can consider this one, the GPUs are better than the Nvidia GT610M
Dell
Inspiron 15R, i5-3210M + AMD HD7670M@RM1999[2.65kg], 6GB, 500GB(5400rpm)

The rest of the 15" notebooks are mostly RM2.3k and above unfortunately

Assuming you are a professional in photo editing

1. 15.6" would be better because of the larger workspace
2. More RAM and i7 will ensure faster rendering times
3. A good GPU will ensure smoothness during zoom ins etc., not really a must, but good to have if budget permits~
4. FullHD would be better, same as for (1), you get much larger workspace (you can see more in one screen)

Hi all,
Have been surfing lowyat forum and surveying for the past 1 month, and I'm still undecided on what laptop to buy. Really need help here as I need it by this Saturday.

1. Preferred Brand (any)
2. Budget (3.5k, but can pay more if needed)
3. Usage (surfing and for study, zero gaming)
4. Preferred laptop/screen size (Light weight is very important, hence looking at Ultrabook, maximum 13")

Know that there are so many in the list which meet my requirement but I'm still very unsure which to buy. Read about UX31A but quite a few reviews still mentioned that the inferior touchpad and keyboard. I would like UX21A so much as the size is nice for me but not released yet.

If you don't mind the relatively "outdated" specs, then go for the Dell XPS 13

[Ultrabook] XPS13, i5-2467M + Intel HD3000 + 128GB SSD@RM3499[1.36kg], 4GB, external optical drive
Top up for 3 years onsite warranty for peace of mind

There are many more ultrabooks out there, ZenBook should be one of the best out there too~

If you don't mind a 14" notebook, then the Dell Inspiron 14z ultrabook would be a good pick as well since its a lot cheaper

Thanks a lot for the quick response, will consider those options. But for Dell, I cannot wait for the delivery since I need it this Saturday, understand that older models can get from retail outlets but newer models like inspiron 14z, not sure if it's available.
I'm kind of interested in the upcoming Vostro which will be released only in Mid July, I supposed can only get it online which will be too late for me

Well, there are only a handful of ultrabooks out there
Perhaps the HP Folio 13@RM2.9k?
Then use the rest of the money to extend warranty to on-site