This one would be the best if you are looking for a budget notebook with a strong GPU within that price range
HP Pavilion G4-2026TX/2027TX, i3-2350M + AMD HD7670M@RM1699, 4GB, 640GB(5400rpm), W7HP; colors: black/red

Hi sifus, wanna ask for recommendation with following aspects:

1. Preferred Brand : Dell (others are acceptable too)
2. Budget : Rm3500
3. Usage : Little gaming (Good audio and graphics)
4. Preferred laptop/screen size : Prefer an ultrabook, 14' screen size is good

Did some researches, found these two which quite suit my taste :

Asus zenbook prime

Dell inspiron 14z

Which one is more worthy? Or any better recommendations? Thanks a lot.

Assuming the ZenBook Prime you are referring to is the UX31...

In terms of graphic performances, the Inspiron 14z is better
Review here: http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/de...n-14z-2012.aspx

So inspiron 14z is better? I mean comparison to other ultrabooks too? 14z is best laptop to suit all the aspects? Thanks

Thans for the suggestion bro, think with my low budget really can't get i5 with strong GPU. Got some opinion from my frens say that E450 and i3 processor not that strong actually, they all ask me to get i5 if possible but I don't want to spend much on laptop. Just plan get 1 which can last me 1-2 year then change again, lol. But I'm AMD supporter for 10+ years back, never try on intel before. This time might break "virgin" liao,

If comparing with all other ultrabooks, then no, its only in the 2nd spot
This one would be the best in terms of gaming performance:
14"
Hp [Ultrabook] Envy4-1043TX/1053TX, i5-3317U + AMD HD7670M + 32GB SSD + 500GB HDD(5400rpm)@RM2599[Beats][1.75kg], 4GB, W7HP

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Added on July 23, 2012, 11:24 pmi5 is basically an i3 with turboboost
The HP is considered as quite good already I would say... and the G4 has always been known for its good speaker quality

This post has been edited by [PF] T.J.: Jul 23 2012, 11:24 PM

Hi

So I've basically narrowed down my options to the two laptops below:

ASUS Zenbook Prime UX31A
DELL XPS 13 Ultrabook

The only difference I can spot is that ASUS is running on 3rd Gen Intel processor while DELL is on 2nd Gen. Anything else I'm missing?
Or is there some other models that I should consider? Also the ASUS has a backlight keyboard right?

Anyplace which has these 2 models in stock? Been around mid-valley and its seems they are out of stock

Hmmm... HP ENVY4 only i5, while inspiron 14z is i7...
On the other hand, HP has 2gb GPU, While 14z oly 1gb...

So let say:
1. I want to watch 1080p movie(through HDMI output of course), which is better?
2. I want to play games, can the i5+2gb gpu handle it better than i7+1gb gpu?

1. no difference. both are capable to delivur 1080p video thru hdmi smoothly.
2. 7570 is alot weaker than 7600 series and cpu affect little to none in gaming performance.

Hi Guys,

I suppose this would be the appropriate thread for asking about laptops.

1. Preferred Brand : Any brand except Acer
2. Budget : Rm3000 flexible
3. Usage : Movies, music, light gaming (Football Manager, Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2)
4. Preferred laptop/screen size : Prefer 15" screen, FHD

I'm currently looking at the following models:-

Asus
N56VZ-S4079V
Core i7 - 3610QM
15.6" Full HD LED
NVIDIA GT650M 2GB
4GB DDR3 RAM (8GB RM100)
1TB SATA HDD
Blu Ray DVD Writer
wifi b/g/n
8 cell battery 5200mAh
HD camera
usb 3.0
BT 4.0
Bang & Olufsen subwoofer

RM3599

N56VZ-S3088V
Core i5 - 3210QM
15.6" 1366x768 LED
NVIDIA GT650M 2GB
4GB DDR3 RAM (8GB RM100)
750GB SATA HDD
DVD ROM
wifi b/g/n
8 cell battery 5200mAh
HD camera
usb 3.0
BT 4.0
Bang & Olufsen subwoofer

RM2699

Lenovo
Ideapad Y580
Core i7 - 3610QM
15.6" 1366x768 LED
NVIDIA GTX660M 2GB
8GB DDR3 RAM
1TB SATA HDD (7200RPM)
Blu Ray Combo Drive
6 Cell battery
USB 3.0
2 JBL Designed Speakers

RM3399

Dell
Inspiron 15R Special Edition
Core i7 - 3612QM
15.6" Full HD LED
AMD Radeon 7730M 2GB
8GB DDR3 RAM
1TB SATA HDD (5400RPM)
Integrated with mSATA SSD - 32GB (Intel® SRT enhancement)
DVD Writer
Wifi b/g/n
6 Cell battery
HD 1PM camera
USB 3.0
BT 4.0
Maxx Audio and Skullcandy speakers

RM3199

Inspiron 15R Special Edition
Core i7 - 3612QM
15.6" 1366x768 LED
AMD Radeon 7730M 2GB
8GB DDR3 RAM
1TB SATA HDD (5400RPM)
DVD Writer
Wifi b/g/n
6 Cell battery
HD 1PM camera
USB 3.0
BT 4.0
Maxx Audio and Skullcandy speakers

RM2799

What do you guys think about the different brands and the different models? How are they in daily usage? How do they perform for different tasks? Reliability, stability of these brands/models?

I've read some stuff about the Dells having BSODs, the Lenovos having poor design causing high heat, and also the poor Asus after sales service. How bad do they really affect the average buyer?

Also, is it really possible to get coupon discounts for the Dells at this price range?

I have the exact dilemma as you (want full HD screen + light gaming + multimedia). I choose the Dell 15R with FHD + 32GB SSD Caching (RM3199). Now with coupon code Z0X576K3W513S? you can save up to RM300, around 2.9k can get. I am buying in two weeks

The BSOD of dell is because of the graphics driver, can be solved by updating.

Why I chose Dell 15R SE over Lenovo Y580 and Asus?
-Full HD screen (Asus need 3599 which is too much for me, Lenovo rumoured to have soon, 3699)
-Decent GPU even though not as powerful, but enough
-32GB SSD caching improving overall performance
-Cheapest among all yet suits the criteria I want
-Best warranty and after sales service

I don't play games too much so 7730M is okay for me, maybe overkill too. FHD Asus N56 is too much for me as well as lenovo. Well this is just my personal opinion due to my restricted budget

1. Preferred Brand : HP
2. Budget : Rm3000+++
3. Usage : Movies, music, Gaming (Diablo 3, COD)
4. Preferred laptop/screen size : Prefer 15" screen, FHD

Considering asus n56vz and lenovo y580 but i prefer HP because the service center is just behind my house and they have good service..

Does the hp envy 6 ultrabook available in malaysia.........wat are its specs....

Yea I know, what about those B950/960 compare to i3? No confident on HP cause heard some of the bad feedback like quality and bad after sales service, but no idea about asus in SG. So far dell still the best on after sales service from what I know...

+1, my vote goes to the Inspiron 15R SE as well.. its quite cheap for the specs it offers~
The AMD HD7730M is not bad too, more than enough for simple gaming~
Anyway, here's a review on the unit: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Dell-I...ok.78323.0.html

Nothing from HP suits your requirements at this time unfortunately
Closest would be:
HP Pavillion M6-1006tx, i7-3612QM + AMD HD7670M@RM2999[Beats], 4GB,750GB(5400rpm), W7HP

It doesn't have FullHD though...

Unless if your budget is RM5k, then you can take a look at the Envy 15

This post has been edited by [PF] T.J.: Jul 24 2012, 10:51 AM

two basically can consider different class of notebook

on paper dell insprson 14z (specs and price is better) is ok... if you go feel and touch the unit yourself, the asus zenbook prime will win in terms or built, quality, keyboard and design, normal wifi browsing using will give you up to 7 hours battery life... worthless to mention the zenbook prime UX31A is the current only 13 incher with FHD and matte screen reso... the windows font will abit small you need to scale it up(i set 128% larger) ... same as browser (i set default zoom 144%)...

the only problem for UX31A i5 version is only 128GB, you might need top up and the SD card slot is protruded out when you insert it... basically is a mirrored windows MBA...

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Added on July 24, 2012, 11:35 amasus UX31A is FHD screen, aluminium unibody

asus keyboard is almost 90% of macbook quality.... go feel it, the feeling typing on it is very good... if you plan buy dell xps 13, wait it refreshed with ivy bridge... dont buy sandy bridge UB anymore... the graphic performance is about 40-50% difference between two architecture...

asus UX31A have backlit keyboard with ambient sensor... ellen type multi touch touchpad... 5-7 hours browsing.... only thing is mini hdmi port not included (need buy it for RM50 i think)

too bad 4GB ram is soldiered inside.... if is your conceren can get UX32VD, where is slot in 2x2GB can replace with 2x4GB in future if need

This post has been edited by xproc: Jul 24 2012, 11:35 AM

Hello Sifu [P.F] T.J.

1. Preferred Brand - Dell/Lenovo
2. Budget - under 2k to 3k
3. Usage - Movie HD, A little Gaming, and AutoCad Inventor
4. Preferred laptop/screen size - 14" or above

I have been following your posts for a while and i can see that you recommend Dell Inspiron 15R SE and Dell Inspiron 14R SE to most people with my budget and usage. What is the difference between the two besides the screen size? Which graphic card is better?

And i also noticed that you mentioned Lenovo Y480 in one of the posts. This model is better than the dell mentioned above?

I need a new laptop soon as i have to return my company laptop soon.

Thanks in advance sifu!

If you're interested now is the best time to get them the following codes will knock off RM446 from retail.



Hope the above helps!

This post has been edited by aaronpang: Jul 24 2012, 02:46 PM

Asking for a friend

1. Preferred Brand : Dell (No Acer)
2. Budget : Rm2k below
3. Usage : Photoshop, so if can get an i5 would be nice
4. Preferred laptop/screen size : 14" preferably. If can get something light and slim is a bonus.