Another 17" laptop that is below RM3k is MSI CX70, but not very popular. It is somehow target to gamers but the spec is not powerful enough for gaming, but should be good for your requirement. Main advantage over G780 is the matte screen in CX70.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Nov 22 2012, 06:59 PM

Need to dig out an old brochure I came across in LYP

17.3"
MSI CX70 0ND-030MY i7-3610QM GT640M 4GB 750GB (5400rpm) (1600x900) (anti-glare) DVD 2.7kg RM2999 W7HP

---

Added on November 22, 2012, 11:52 pmY480(5934-7549), i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT650M (GDDR5) @RM2599 [JBL], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), backlit keyboard, freeDOS
Y480(5934-1372), i7-3610QM + Nvidia GT650M (GDDR5)@RM2699[JBL], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), backlit keyboard, W7HB, 2 years international warranty

Best bang for buck 14" gaming laptop (for your budget). The edge that Y480 has over the rest of 14" in terms of price / perfomance, is less than what Y580 has over all the other gaming laptop.
A saving of RM300, but you get smaller screen, only HD resolution, only GT650M. Not a fair trade off in my book

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Nov 22 2012, 11:56 PM

The full steps can be found in this link:
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/...bid=AQGmLT-eAuW

I will attempt to make it easier to understand:
1. Prerequisite - Your W8 must be "OEM Win8Pro". Only this version give you the legal downgrade right in the license.
2. You can downgrade your OEM Win8Pro to Win7Pro.
3. Steps:
a. You buy a laptop that come pre-installed with OEM Win8Pro. This Win8Pro has an activation key.
b. If your purchase come with an OS OD media, skip to c. Otherwise, you better create a recovery media, so that you could re-install Win8Pro next time if you want to.
c. Get a copy of Win7Pro with valid activation key. (get it from your friends, your own copy lying around). You need a valid key to do installation. The key could not be used for activation (so tell your friends not to worry, you are not pirating his Win7Pro )
d. Check your laptop BIOS. Win8Pro use secureboot. Your laptop could be setup in UEFI. You need to change that to AHCI, otherwise Win7Pro would not install.
e. Back up your data if any.
f. Wipe your Win8Pro installation (reformat).
g. Install Win7Pro. Use the Win7Pro key to finish installation.
h. When you boot into Win7Pro, it will inform you that the Win7Pro key could not be activated (since it has already been activated in your friend / your other machine). It will give you a number to call (giving you a chance to buy a Win7Pro key since you are using a pirate software ). Write down and call that number.
i. When you get through, explain to Microsoft you are downgrading. They will ask for your OEM Win8Pro activation key as proof.
j. Once Microsoft confirm your OEM Win8Pro key is valid, they will provide you with a "temp" key. Use this temp key to activate your Win7Pro. You are done downgrading.
k. If you later realise your "mistake" and want to use back the Win8Pro, just install it using the OS media or the recovery disk you created. Use your existing OEM Win8Pro key to activate it.
g. Yes, once you reinstall your Win8Pro, of course you are eligible for any Win8Pro SP upgrade.

Good luck Seriously, give Win8 a chance. Use it, look past the tiles. You will appreciate it is a much better OS than Win7. To speed up your learning process, look at some of the videoz Microsoft create to tell you how to get around the OS. Skip those touch screen related stuff if you don't have touch screen. Personally I found myself using keyboard and keyboard shortcut a lot more, and using touchpad / mouse a lot less Start menu is overrated. Why do you want to click click click to get to a program, when you can just type the name of the program and press Enter to launch it?

---

Added on November 23, 2012, 12:51 amAH532-MYEVK20029, i5-3210M + nVidia GT620M@RM2750, 4GB, 750GB, W7HP, color: Black
http://www.fujitsu.com/my/services/computi...h532/specs.html

Brands do bring different specs to different markets. That's why you must pay attention to the specs reviewed by foreign review sites

But that is still 15". At that price point, you might as well consider:
Dell 15"
Inspiron 15R (Special Edition), i5-3210M + AMD HD7730M@RM2199, 4GB, 1TB(5400rpm); backlit keyboard optional, W7HP/W8
Inspiron 15R (Special Edition), i7-3612QM + AMD HD7730M@RM2799, 8GB, 1TB(5400rpm); backlit keyboard optional, W7HP/W8
Inspiron 15R (Special Edition), i7-3612QM + AMD HD7730M + (1920x1080; anti-glare) + 32GB SSD + 1TB HDD(5400rpm)@RM3199, 8GB,backlit keyboard optional, W7HP/W8

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Nov 23 2012, 11:02 AM

Just to elaborate a bit more on why TJ said the performance is the same.
The GPU process, the VRAM store.
The higher the resolution, AA, texture, the more the GPU has to process, and the more the VRAM has to store.
If the GPU is not powerful enough to process a large amount of data, the VRAM won't have much to store.
The GT620M is not powerful enough to tax the 1G VRAM
Even GT640M, displaying HD resolution, turn AA up, playing most games (I can't say all because I don't play Crysis or GTA IV) will not tax 1G VRAM.
On the other hand, on Y580, if I play Skyrim, at FHD, turn AA up, applying lots of mod (I know I am nuts ), I could push until CTD due to VRAM limits (btw, I did this just to see how far I can go)

---

Added on November 24, 2012, 2:19 amIf you are concern with warranty support (actually all of us should ), then the gaming laptop you should consider in Malaysia is Dell Alienware and Lenovo Y series.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Nov 24 2012, 02:19 AM

Think of it more like a Brotherhood society. There are strength in numbers
Also the more people support Y series, the more likely Lenovo will bring in the good stuff by the time we need to upgrade

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Nov 24 2012, 08:46 PM

What softwares are your using?

---

Added on November 25, 2012, 8:23 pmNiche product. High price. If you were a reseller, would you want to stock it? (If you know anything about inventory management )
What is one week, consider the years (hopefully) that you are going to spend with the machine? (am I sounding corny? )

---

Added on November 25, 2012, 8:44 pmFirst, let's list down the laptop you can afford for gaming:

Asus
15.6"
A55VJ-SX093H, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT635M@RM2499[2.52kg], 4GB, 750GB, W8; color: black
[Ultrabook] S56CM-XX090H i5-3317U + Nvidia GT635M + 24GB mSATA + 500GB@RM2199[2.3kg], 2GB, W8; color: black
N56VZ-S3151H, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT650M@RM2799[2.7kg][B&O], 4GB, 750GB, W8; color: black

Lenovo
15.6"
Ideapad Z580, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT640M@RM2299, 4GB, 750GB(5400rpm), W7HB, white
Ideapad Z580, i7-3612QM + Nvidia GT640M@RM2499, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), freeDOS, white
Ideapad Z580, i7-3612QM + Nvidia GT640M@RM2699, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7HB, white
Ideapad Y580, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GTX660M + 1920x1080 @RM2999[JBL], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7HB/W8, backlit keyboard, 2 yrs warranty

Best for gaming is the Y580 due to the GPU.
In absolute term, none here has a "good" built in cooling system The question you have to ask: is the laptop cooling system good enough to cool the hardware it carry?
S56 being an ultrabook, not ideal.
A55, Z580 (the i5 spec), N56 (the i5 spec, not the more expensive i7 spec) has enough to cool the laptop under normal use.
Y580, you need a cooling pad or other external cooling solution.

But I will suggest you do NOT put anyone of these on your lap when you game

In my opinion, the only 15.5" laptop with good built in cooling system is:
Asus
G55VW-S1216H, i7-3610QM +Nvidia GTX660M (2GB) + (1920x1080)@3999[3.78kg], 4GB, 1TB(5400rpm), W8
To notch fan, layout, air inlet / outlet, heatsink.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Nov 25 2012, 08:47 PM

I think will be good for people who don't need discrete graphic. (Maybe time to upgrade my HTPC built?)
CPU power, ivy bridge is good enough for most of users

---

Added on November 26, 2012, 1:06 pmI have seen some shops selling 3 year olds product at the same launch price
Be aware (to know it's old model), (and if it is good enough for you) negotiate "kuat, kuat"

---

Added on November 26, 2012, 1:37 pmAre you running mission critical apps on the laptop? How long a down time you can afford if the laptop run into problem?

If your answer to the former is yes, or your answer to the latter is 1-2 days, maybe you should NOT think about ASUS Asus warranty support in Malaysia currently is iffy (putting it nicely).

Lenovo, Dell, HP have lines of laptop that is catered for SME. Usually more solid build (compare to consumer line), matte screen, better warranty support (on site Next Business Day, that is if you have hardware problem, call the brands, and their technician will be in your office to fix the laptop on next business day, and you could extend warranty up to 3 years or more if budget allowed).

14"
Lenovo
ThinkPad Edge E430, i5-2520M + Intel HD3000@RM2699[2.2kg], W7P, 4GB, 500GB (5400rpm), anti-glare
ThinkPad Edge E430, i5-3210M + Intel HD4000@RM2749[2.2kg], W7P, 4GB, 750GB (5400rpm), anti-glare
Dell
Vostro 3460, i3-3110M + Intel HD4000@RM1939[2.23kg], 4GB, 500GB(7200rpm), W7HB; colors: red/silver/bronze
Vostro 3460, i5-3210M + Intel HD4000@RM2199[2.23kg], 4GB, 500GB(7200rpm), W7HB; colors: red/silver/bronze
Vostro 3460, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT630M + 32GB mSATA+ 500GB(7200rpm) HDD@RM2559[2.23kg], 4GB, W7HB; colors: red/silver/bronze
HP
ProBook 4430s, i3-2370M + Intel HD3000@RM2399, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7P, anti-glare
ProBook 4440s, i5-3210M + Intel HD4000@RM2599, 4GB, 500GB(7200rpm), W7P, anti-glare
ProBook 4341s, i5-3210M + AMD HD7570M@RM2699, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7P, anti-glare

13"
Dell
Vostro 3360, i3-2365M + Intel HD3000@RM1859[1.67kg], 4GB, 320GB(5400rpm), W7HB; colors: red/silver/bronze
Vostro 3360, i3-3217U + Intel HD4000@RM2009[1.67kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7HB; colors: red/silver/bronze
Vostro 3360, i3-3217U + Intel HD4000 + 32GB SSD + 500GB(5400rpm) HDD@RM2199[1.67kg], 4GB, W7HB; colors: red/silver/bronze
Vostro 3360, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000@RM2249[1.67kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7HB; colors: red/silver/bronze
HP
ProBook 4341s, i5-321M + AMD HD7570M@RM2699, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7P, anti-glare

Those with discrete GPU will help in photo editing. Unfortunately none of the above offer screen with good gamut.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Nov 26 2012, 01:41 PM

Don't give up Keep searching (if you really want it badly). As I said, if you finally found 1, show it to the seller that you know what you are talking about, tell the seller it's old stock / old model, tell the seller that the latest N series with better specs is only selling at xxxx, give discount lah

Also, other than the FHD spec, I notice Ajul also carry some HD spec stocks.

---

Added on November 28, 2012, 11:22 amYeah, it is good. Best maybe in terms of Price / CPU&GPU performance ratio.
But not the "best in earth" lah (in absolute term)

I like Y500, and my hand is getting itchy But if nitpick:
Single GPU GTX670MX is still better.
SLI micro-stutter.
No customised keyboard backlit.
No matte screen.
Speakers are good, but bass is still weak.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Nov 28 2012, 11:22 AM

ProBook is the entry level business class laptop by HP. Higher level is Elitebook.
Just for reference, Vostro is the entry level business class laptop by Dell. Higher level is Latitude & Precision.

For Lenovo, however, all business class laptop is under Thinkpad. The tricky part is that under Thinkpad there are a few series:
T series / W series - comparable to Elitebook, Latitude, Precision.
Edge series / SL series (I think SL is being phased out) - more for SMEs, comparable to Probook, Vostro.

T & W series has more solid build than Probook, Edge is about Probook level.

Yes, all Thinkpad (whichever series) has the Trackpoint. Whereas for HP & Dell, only Elitebook, Latitude, Precision has the same thing (in other colour though, e.g. blue).

All Lenovo, HP, Dell business class laptops are in matte screen (thank god )

For Lenovo Thinkpad, the standard type of warranty is on-site. Personally has not been asked to show receipt when asked for warranty support. Can't comment for HP Probook since I never own 1 before. Anyone else can help?

Sorry, brand new is out of your budget.
The cheapest:
Lenovo
14"
ThinkPad Edge E430, i5-2520M + Intel HD3000@RM2699[2.2kg], W7P, 4GB, 500GB (5400rpm), anti-glare
ThinkPad Edge E430, i5-3210M + Intel HD4000@RM2749[2.2kg], W7P, 4GB, 750GB (5400rpm), anti-glare

HP
14"
ProBook 4430s, i3-2370M + Intel HD3000@RM2399, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7P, anti-glare
ProBook 4440s, i5-3210M + Intel HD4000@RM2599, 4GB, 500GB(7200rpm), W7P, anti-glare
ProBook 4341s, i5-3210M + AMD HD7570M@RM2699, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7P, anti-glare

You may have to look for 2nd hand or refurbished unit if you can't up your budget.
I saw some seller in LYN garage sales threads selling refurbished Dell Vostro (with full Dell warranty) at < RM2k. Check it out

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Nov 28 2012, 03:01 PM

Don't be dishearten If you really like T420, you just have to be patient.
Look for sellers that specialised in selling 2nd hand Thinkpad. They update new stocks from time to time.
Thinkpad in Malaysia is mainly used by big corp. And guess what, some (not all) MNCs have IT policies which dictate a fixed laptop refreshed cycle (especially when there is a personnel turnover, the new guy will not get the old laptop used by the previous guy, IT normally retired the old laptop and get the new guy a new model).
You should see more and more T420 (and even more T410) coming into 2nd hand market

Look forward to the article, TJ

---

Added on November 29, 2012, 3:03 pmSamsung Series 9 has great built, but the price is out of your budget:
13"
9 series NP900X3C, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 128GB SSD + (1600x900)@RM4799[1.16kg], W7HP

Samsung Series 5, I strongly suggest you have a hands-on look at the build quality to see if you are ok with it.
13"
NP530U3C, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 24GB mSATA + 500GB HDD@RM2699[1.52kg], 4GB, W7HP
14"
NP530U4C, i5-3317U + Nvidia GT620M + 24GB mSATA + 1TB HDD@RM2999[1.81kg], 6GB, ODD, W7HP

Dell XPS also has good build quality, and good warranty support (NBD on site). Spec within your budget:
13"
XPS13, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 128GB SSD@RM3299[1.36kg], 4GB, W8, backlit
Use spare cash to extend warranty to 3 years.

If you still have the office 2010 (or older like 2007) in your old acer, you can save by continue using that license. Otherwise, depend on version (Home & Student has words, excel, powerpoint, Home & Biz add outlook), it will cost you RM200 - 500 extra.

Thinkpad that within your budget:
14"
ThinkPad Edge E430, i5-3210M + Intel HD4000@RM2749[2.2kg], W7P, 4GB, 750GB (5400rpm), anti-glare (heavier than you like)
ThinkPad Edge E420s, i5-2410M + Intel HD3000@RM3299[1.88kg], W7P, 4GB, 320GB (7200rpm), anti-glare (CPU is not latest ivy bridge, but good enough for office suite)
ThinkPad T430U, i5-3317U + Nvidia GT620M + 24GB mSATA + 500GB HDD@RM3799, 4GB, W7P, 3 years on-site warranty (slightly over your budget, but the built quality of T series is better than Edge series)

Personally, I would say XPS13 will give you the best user experience right out of the box. Light, and the SSD make boot and apps launch a lot faster. You may not find it on Dell website (don't have the shop button), just give Dell a call.

One more thing, non business class ultrabook may lack VGA port, just in case you need to connect to projector when you travel.

If you are comfortable with Acer, one of the most amazing deal for ultrabook:
13"
Aspire S3-951-2464G25, i5-2467M + Intel HD3000 + 256GB SSD@RM2699 (the SSD alone cost > RM500. Please check build quality personally)

One of the best looking ultrabook:
Asus 13"
UX31A-R4005H, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 128GB SSD + (1920 x 1080)@RM3499[1.3kg], 4GB, W8 (make sure you are aware of the warranty support issue)

Lenovo (not Thinkpad) 13"
U310, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 32GB SSD + 320GB(5400rpm) HDD@RM2599, 4GB, W7HP, Free HDMI-VGA converter; color: Grey, 2 years international warranty

If you don't insist on ultrabook,
Dell 13"
Vostro 3360, i3-3217U + Intel HD4000@RM2009[1.67kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7HB; colors: red/silver/bronze
Vostro 3360, i3-3217U + Intel HD4000 + 32GB SSD + 500GB(5400rpm) HDD@RM2199[1.67kg], 4GB, W7HB; colors: red/silver/bronze
Vostro 3360, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000@RM2249[1.67kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7HB; colors: red/silver/bronze
(Not sexy, but within your weight limit, and leave you with plenty of spare cash)

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Nov 29 2012, 04:01 PM

Lenovo
13"
U310, i3-3217M + Intel HD4000@RM1699, 4GB, 320GB(5400rpm), W7HB (32-bit); colors: Blue/Pink (the pink one chick really dig )
14"
S400, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 24GB mSATA + 500GB(5400rpm)@RM2099[1.8kg], 4GB, W7HB; W8@RM2199

Acer
13"
Aspire S3-391-33214G52s, i3-3217M + Intel HD3000 + 20GB mSATA + 500GB HDD@RM1999, 4GB, W8
14"
V5-471P, i3-3217U + Intel HD4000 + (1366x768; touch)@RM1899, 4GB, 500GB, W8 (this one has touch screen)

Asus
14"
K46CM-WX059V, i3-3217U + Nvidia GT635M@RM1899[2kg], 2GB, 500GB, 4-cell battery, W7HP, OD (you can play some game with it when she is not around)

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Nov 29 2012, 03:49 PM

Wah, 3k now Ok, on top of what I show you in previous post:

Acer
13"
Aspire S3-951-2464G25, i5-2467M + Intel HD3000 + 256GB SSD@RM2699[1.35kg] (the SSD here is good value)
14"
M5-481TG-53316G12, i5-3317U + Nvidia GT640M LE (28nm Kepler) + 128GB SSD@RM2899[1.85kg], 6GB, W8

Asus
13"
UX32VD-R3001H, i5-3317U + Nvidia GT620M + 24GB mSATA SSD + 500GB HDD@RM2999[1.45kg], 4GB, W8
14"
VivoBook S400CA=CA006H, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 24GB mSATA + 500GB + (1366x768; touch)@RM2499[2kg], 4GB, W8 (touch screen, if your gf like cool factor)

Dell
13"
XPS13, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 128GB SSD@RM3299[1.36kg], 4GB, W8, backlit

Lenovo
14"
U410, i5-3317U + Nvidia G610M + 32GBSSD + 500GB(5400rpm)@RM2699, 4GB, W7HP, colors: grey/pink

Samsung
13"
NP530U3C, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 24GB mSATA + 500GB HDD@RM2699[1.52kg], 4GB, W7HP
14"
NP530U4C, i5-3317U + Nvidia GT620M + 24GB mSATA + 1TB HDD@RM2999[1.81kg], 6GB, ODD, W7HP

Sony
13"
Vaio SVT13126CV, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 128GB SSD@RM3099[1.66kg], 4GB, W8; color: silver; Vaio carrying case
Vaio SVT13125CV, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 32GB mSATA + 500GB(5400rpm)@RM2799[1.56kg], 4GB, W8, color: silver; Vaio carryin case

Seriously, if your gf like cutey cutey, the Lenovo U series pink colour is a killer Get you lots of browny point, if you know what I mean

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Nov 29 2012, 05:06 PM

Yup. And the Acer machine was only spec with an sandy bridge i7 & Nvidia GT640M

I read somewhere that Y400 has the same GT650M SLI as Y500, so yeah

But looking at Lenovo, I don't think they will give 14" the FHD, most likely only HD. If only they at least consider HD+ ...

---

Added on November 30, 2012, 4:02 pmAcer
14"
Aspire V3-471G-53212G75d, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT630M@RM2049[2.3kg], 2GB, 750GB W8
15"
V3-571G-53212G50, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT630M@RM1999, 2GB, 500GB

Lenovo
14"
G480, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT635M@RM1699, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), FreeDOS
G480, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT635M@RM1899, 4GB, 1TB (5400rpm), W8, 2 yrs warranty
Z480, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT640M@RM2299, 4GB, 1TB(5400rpm) W7HB, colors: grey/red/blue
15"
Ideapad G580, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT630M@RM1699, 2GB, 500GB, freeDOS, 1 yr warranty
Ideapad Z580, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT640M@RM2299, 4GB, 750GB(5400rpm), W7HB, white

No good gaming laptop from HP in this price range.

If you are willing to consider other brands:

Asus 14"
A45VS-VX026H, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT645M@RM2199[2.4kg], 2GB, 500GB, W8
Dell 14"
Inspiron 14R (Special Edition), i5-3210M + Nvidia GT640M(28nm Kepler)@RM2049[2.38kg], 4GB, 500GB(7200rpm), W7HP/W8

---

Added on November 30, 2012, 4:05 pmWhat is your criteria?

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Nov 30 2012, 04:05 PM

Sorry, maybe I could make myself clearer
How do you measure worth? What is important to you?
Raw power, asthestics, screen, sound, keyboard, warranty, build quality, price / performance ....

Gone were the days

Don't even need that But only a few year ago (sorry, maybe more than 5 years ), I manage to buy a cheap 14" with 1440x900 for my cousin (not FHD, but so much nicer than the 1366x768 ... )

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Nov 30 2012, 05:32 PM

I can't remember the exact model number, Dell Inspiron 1410??. Yup, it was a 14.1".

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Dec 1 2012, 12:34 AM