Laptop Recommendation Thread V15, here we come!!!

Thanks alot to everyone who helped, especially bot lee_what2004 sifu for his countless + priceless recommendations *and not to mention his efficient model, spec and price updates!

Expressing sincerest gratitude to Acid_ruleZz, PhungTM fJok3R and chiahau for helping to recommend when I'm not around
Last but not least, thanks alot to all the others who've helped!

Here are the links to the previous threads:






Laptop models and associated prices can be found here: LYN Notebook Price Catalog V3

With the help of the sifus here, we hope that you will be able to find the best laptop for your usage~
Happy Hunting!

This post has been edited by [PF] T.J.: Jun 17 2012, 11:51 PM

Some popular notebooks (will be updated, bit by bit ):


Budget Gaming Laptops *recommended based on GPU performance
RM2,500-RM3,000


This post has been edited by [PF] T.J.: Apr 14 2012, 12:31 AM

Din't really had the chance to make a post on the current ultrabook lineups, so I guess I'll just paste all of them here


Seeing the increasing interests in ultrabooks, I think it'll be good to categorize/ summarize them all here since there aren't too many ultrabooks at the moment

* As of 08.04.12
* Weights are mere estimates
* Definition of an ultrabook in this context: must be relatively lighter to standard notebooks of similar sizes, runs on ULV processors, SSDs.

RM2,000- RM3,000

13"
Acer [Ultrabook] Aspire S3, i5-2467M + Intel HD3000@RM2599[1.35kg], 320GB HDD

HP [Ultrabook] Pavilion dm3-1001TU (Folio 13), i5-2467M + Intel HD3000 + 128GB SSD@RM2999[1.49kg], W7HP

Lenovo [Ultrabook] U300e, i5-2467M + Intel HD3000 + (500GB HDD + 32GB SSD)@RM2899 *upcoming

Samsung [Ultrabook] 5 series 530U3B, i5-2467M + Intel HD3000 + (16GB SSD + 500GB [5400rpm])@RM2699[1.45kg], 4GB


14"
Samsung [Ultrabook] 5 series 530U4B, i5-2467M + AMD HD7550M + (16GB SSD + 1TB [5400rpm])@RM2999[1.84kg], 6GB

Toshiba [Ultrabook] Satellite U840-1000U, i5-2467M + Intel HD3000M + (16GB SSD + 500GB)@RM2999

15.6"
Acer [Ultrabook]Timeline Ultra M3-581TG-52466G52, i5-2467M + Nvidia GT640M@RM2599, 6GB, 500GB

RM3,000- RM4,000

<13"
Asus [Ultrabook] UX21E-KX004V, i5-2467M + Intel HD3000 + 128GB SSD@RM3299[1.1kg], 2 years international warraty
Samsung [Ultrabook] 9 series, i5-2467M + Intel HD3000 + 64GB SSD@RM3099, W7HP, 3 years warranty

13"
Acer [Ultrabook] Aspire S3, i7-2637M + Intel HD3000 + 240GB SSD@RM3999[1.33kg]

Dell [Ultrabook] XPS13, i5-2467M + Intel HD3000 + 128GB SSD@RM3499[1.36kg], 4GB, external optical drive

Samsung [Ultrabook] 9 series NP900X3A, i5-2467M + Intel HD3000@RM3999, 128GB SSD, W7HP, 3 years

Toshiba [Ultrabook] Portégé Z830-1000U, i5-2467M + Intel HD3000 + 128GB SSD@RM3799[1.12kg], W7HP, 6GB

14"
Toshiba [Ultrabook] Satellite U840-1003U, i5-2467M + Intel HD3000M + 128GB SSD@RM3399[1.7kg], 4GB, backlit keyboard, color: silver
HP [Ultrabook] Envy (Spectre) 14-3017TU, i5-2467M + Intel HD3000 + (1600x900 Radiance) + 128GB SSD@RM3999, 4GB

>RM4,000

13"
Asus [Ultrabook] UX31E-RY010V, i7-2677M + Intel HD3000 + 256GB SSD + (1600x900)@RM4499[1.3kg]
Dell [Ultrabook] XPS13, i5-2467M + Intel HD3000 + 256GB SSD@RM4399[1.36kg], 4GB, external optical drive
Dell [Ultrabook] XPS13, i7-2367M + Intel HD3000 + 256GB SSD@RM4899[1.36kg], 4GB, external optical drive

Toshiba [Ultrabook] Portégé Z830-2005U, i5-2467M + Intel HD3000 + 128GB SSD@RM4099[1.12kg], W7P, 6GB, free notebook sleeve (cream/brown/black)
Toshiba [Ultrabook] Portégé Z830-2004U, i7-2677M + Intel HD3000 + 128GB SSD@RM4899[1.12kg], W7P, 6GB, 3 years local onsite + international carry-in warranty, free notebook sleeve (cream/brown/black)


Haven't missed out any models right?

Alright, moving on to some of the reviews:
Acer Aspire S3:


Asus ZenBook (UX21 & 31):


Dell XPS 13 ultrabook:


HP Folio 13:


HP Envy 14 (Spectre):

Lenovo U300s:


Samsung Series 5/9:


Toshiba Portege Z830/835:


Couldn't find much reviews on Samsung's ultrabooks, mostly because of their confusing namings Please share with us if you come across any

This post has been edited by [PF] T.J.: May 15 2012, 04:06 PM

I thought I am first?
Welcome welcome~
Thread officially opened, just need some more minor updates ~

---

Added on April 13, 2012, 7:51 amEdited, thank you FiReGunZ1499 for sharing the link
Seems like any computer from any brand (working or otherwise) can be used, not bad, good way to get rid of old hardware

This post has been edited by [PF] T.J.: Apr 13 2012, 07:53 AM

What are you looking for again?

It depends on what you want~
Dell units are covered by much better warranty support; whereas the A43Sm comes with a better GPU and at a slightly cheaper price ~

Asus
N55Sf-S1515v [black], i5-2450M + Nvidia GT555m (2GB) + 1920x1080@2899[Bang & Olufsen]; 750GB (7200rpm), USB3.0, Sonic Master subwoofer *EOL-ed (if still can find)
N55Sl-S2064v, i5-2450M + Nvidia GT635M + (1600x900)@RM2899[Bang & Olufsen], 4GB, 750GB(5400rpm)

Any ultrabook will do, just choose the one that appeals to you most

The XPS14z is not exactly very suitable for gaming as well...
It all depends on your usage, if your photo editing is quite intense, then choosing a laptop with an i7 processor would be a better pick, i.e.
14"
Lenovo (not exactly your preferred brand but still can be considered)
Y470, i7-2670QM + Nvidia GT550M (2GB)@RM2799[JBL], W7HP, 4GB, 750GB (5400rpm), Lenovo P350 headset OR 2 years warranty
Y480, i7-3610QM + Nvidia GT640M@2999[JBL] *upcoming

If gaming is your top priority, then the AW m14x is pretty much your only choice

15.6"
Asus G53Sx-S1208v, i7-2670QM + Nvidia GTX560M (2GB) + 1920x1080 (anti-glare)@RM3999, 500GB + 500GB, backlit keyboard, gaming backpack &mouse

As chiahau mentioned, only Sager offers FreeDOS options for gaming notebooks...

Ya, personally I would say its a good deal

If you have a tight budget, can consider this one as well:
HP Pavilion G4-2026/27tx, i3-2350M + AMD HD7670M@RM1999, 4GB, 640GB(5400rpm), W7HP
The specifications are obtained from HP online store. If the spec is right, then its quite worth it

14"
Asus
A43Sa-VX083v, i5-2430M + AMD HD6730M@RM2499, 750GB (7200rpm) *If still can find
A43Sm-VX002v, i5-2450M + Nvidia GT630M (2GB)@RM2499[2.4kg]v, 4GB, 750GB(5400rpm)
U46Sv-WX053v, i5-2430M + Nvidia GT540M@RM2599[2.14kg]; USB3.0, Asus optical mouse *lighter + long battery life

Dell
Inspiron 14R, i5-2450M + AMD HD7450M@RM2149[2.38kg], 6GB, 500GB(5400rpm)
Vostro 3450, i5-2450M + Intel HD3000@RM2299, W7HB,backlit keyboard colors: silver/ brown/red
Vostro 3450, i5-2450M + AMD HD6630M@RM2517, W7HB,backlit keyboard colors: silver/ brown/red

I would recommend going for the i5-2450M + Intel HD3000 variant of the Vostro 3450, comes in matte materials, thus more user-friendly when on the go.. comes with 7200rpm HDD as well for faster load speeds~
And best is you still have remaining cash to extend warranty to 3 years (@~RM249 iinm)

This will help
Asus
Asus (2 years free international warranty)
A43Sa-VX083v, i5-2430M + AMD HD6730M@RM2499, 750GB (7200rpm)
A43Sa-VX084v, i7-2670QM + AMD HD6730M@RM2999, 750GB (7200rpm)
A43Sd-VX216, B960 + Nvidia GT610M@RM1499[2.2kg], FreeDOS, 2GB, 320GB(5400rpm)
A43Sd- VX066/067, i3-2350M + Nvidia GT610M@RM1749[2.4kg], FreeDOS, 2GB, 500GB(5400rpm), colors: blue/red
A43Sd- VX068v/071v, i3-2350M + Nvidia GT610M@RM1999[2.4kg], W7HP, 2GB, 500GB(5400rpm), colors: black/green
A43Sm-VX102v, i5-2450M + Nvidia GT630M@RM2099[2.4kg], 2GB, 500GB (5400rpm)
A43Sm-VX002v, i5-2450M + Nvidia GT630M (2GB)@RM2499[2.4kg]v, 4GB, 750GB(5400rpm)
A43Sm-VX037v, i7-2670QM + Nvidia GT630M (2GB)@RM2899[2.4kg], 4GB, 750GB(5400rpm)
A43Sv-VX264v, i5-2430M + Nvidia GT540M(1GB)@RM2349[2.44kg], 750GB (5400rpm)
A43Sv-VX203v, i5-2430M + Nvidia GT540M(1GB)@RM2249[2.44kg], 500GB (5400rpm)

*Asus A43Sa and A43Sv are EOL-ed already, but you might still be able to find remaining units

Thanks for the input bro!
Dang! Really worth it man
The GPU is around GT630 level~

A43Sd and A43Sm are new

Pretty much:
14"
Acer V3-471G-52452G60g/s/k, i5-2450M + Nvidia GT630M@RM1999, 2GB, 500GB
Asus A43Sm-VX102v, i5-2450M + Nvidia GT630M@RM2099[2.4kg], 2GB, 500GB (5400rpm)
HP Pavilion G4-2026/27tx, i3-2350M + AMD HD7670M@RM1999, 4GB, 640GB(5400rpm), W7HP

1. GT635M >> GT630M >> GT610M

2. The performance difference is significant, so if you're into gaming, then opting for the GT630M would be the wiser choice
RAM is quite cheap nowadays, so not much of a problem there?

3. Nope at the moment, although there was one for the 1st series of the JC laptop- N45Sf, its quite worth it if you manage to find one, comes with GT555m (on par with GT635M) and since its EOL-ed already, it'll be very cheap

2. Yes, the performance difference is quite big. You can refer to the link here to get a rough picture on the performance of each card: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Computer-Game...ds.13849.0.html

3. As mentioned, if you can find this:
Asus N45Sf-V2g-VX054v [black], i5-2430M + Nvidia GT555m (2GB)@RM2699[Bang & Olufsen]; USB3.0, Sonic Master subwoofer; EOL-ed
then you'll get the best of both worlds Good huntin'

Well, the Cedar Trail-powered Atom netbooks are quite capable of handling smooth playback (even for 1080p movies) now
Still, since you're looking for more power, then AMD Zacate-powered subnotebooks will still be the better pick:
Asus Eee PC 1215B, E-450 + AMD HD6320M + (1366x768)@RM1299[1.45kg], W7S; colors: Red/Silver/Black

HP
Dm1-4017AU, AMD E-450 + AMD HD6320M@RM1299[Beats], 2GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7S
Dm1-4018AU, AMD E-450 + AMD HD6320M@RM1399[Beats], 2GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7HB

Lenovo Ideapad S205, AMD E-450 + AMD HD6320M@RM1299[1.48kg]

MSI U270DX, AMD E-450 + AMD HD6320M@RM1199, 2 years warranty, FreeDOS