Negotiate, negotiate 3 years warranty is totally worth it for peace of mind. Any by that time, you start working, anything happen, just grap a new laptop

Guys, don't bring his hope up so much by quoting an example on high price machine
For cheaper machine, obviously, the discount in absolute amount would be lower; and since the profit margin on lower end machine is smaller, even in percentage term will not be so great. For machine around RM2k, aim for ~ 10%

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Dec 4 2012, 10:59 PM

Yes.

Yes.

Yup, exactly. Help to pay for 3 year extended warranty. Yeah
I always think the price Dell quote on website is inclusive of 3 year warranty rather than 1 year

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Dec 4 2012, 11:13 PM

13"
Acer
Aspire S3-951-2464G25, i5-2467M + Intel HD3000 + 256GB SSD@RM2699 (this one the SSD alone worth ~RM500)

Asus
UX32VD-R3001H, i5-3317U + Nvidia GT620M + 24GB mSATA SSD + 500GB HDD@RM2999[1.45kg], 4GB, W8

Samsung
NP530U3C, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 24GB mSATA + 500GB HDD@RM2699[1.52kg], 4GB, W7HP

Sony
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

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Dec 5 2012, 12:05 PM

HP dm1 is running on AMD E1-1200. That's netbook territory (well, things are getting blur now )

6-8 hours, if battery performance is really important to you, you are looking at Intel ULV or Atom or AMD E CPU.
Models with Atom or E don't handle CS: GO well You need discrete GPU to play it decently.

So you are left models with Intel ULV, and that depends on battery pack come with the laptop, you could just scratch 5-6 hours for those in your price range.

But Intel ULV with discrete GPU, only 1 model, and it's out of your price range and it's a 14", Acer M5.

Anyway,
Eee PC 1225B, E-450 + AMD HD6320M + (1366x768)@RM1259[1.45kg], W7S; colors: Red/Silver/Black
Dm1-4210AU, AMD E1-1200 + AMD HD7310M@RM1399, 2GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7HP

Pretty obvious, Dm1 is better value. And if you really like netbook, most powerful Netbook under RM1.5k:
Sony Vaio SVE11115EGB, AMD E2-1800 + AMD HD7340M@RM1499[1.5kg], 2GB, 320GB(5400rpm), W7HB

But all 3 will not run CS: GO very well.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Dec 5 2012, 12:18 PM

Lenovo Y500 is your best bet, and if you don't like it ...
Btw, solid build quality is over-rated You want good warranty support. You can get 3 year on site warranty from Lenovo.

Anyway, Asus within your price range:
G55VW-S1216H, i7-3610QM +Nvidia GTX660M (2GB) + (1920x1080)@3999[3.78kg], 4GB, 1TB(5400rpm), W8

Pray hard you don't get a lemon

Or check here to see if anything strike your fancy:
http://www.illegear.com/

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Dec 5 2012, 01:08 PM

HP dm1 in my opinion is much better value. For a small RM150 diff, you get better keyboard (personal taste), better sound (beats audio, enjoy if you use headset), no finger print magnet, and W7HP rather than W7S.

The E-450 in 1225B, even though is older, is still more powerful than E1-1200. The E2-1800 in the Sony is better than E-450.

I seriously doubt you will enjoy playing CS:GO in any Netbook, even at low setting. Have you tried it?

No way in hell is E series > HD 4000 in games HD 4000 can play FIFA 12, E series stuck below 20 FPS in the lowest setting.
Trinity APU, on the other hand, whack HD 4000 in graphic processing. But CPU lose to i-core, and battery performance is not ideal.
HP
Pavilion G4-2108AX, A6-4400M + AMD HD7670M@RM1699, 2GB, 500GB
Pavilion G4-1302ax, A8-3520M + AMD HD7450M@RM1899, 4GB, 640GB(5400rpm), W7HP
Pavilion G4-2107AX, A10-4600M + AMD HD7670M@RM1899, 2GB, 500GB
Toshiba
Satellite L840D-1000, A6-4400M + AMD HD7610M@RM1499[2.12kg], 2GB, 500GB, freeDOS

Vivobook has good battery performance, around 5 hours normal usage. For under RM1.5k, you get better CPU (i3), touchscreen, W8. Much better buy than Netbook, in my sincere opionion
VivoBook X200E-CT009H, i3-3217U + Intel UMA + (1366x768; touch)@RM1599[1.4kg], 4GB, 500GB, W8
VivoBook X200E-CT006H, B987 + Intel UMA + (1366x768; touch)@RM1499[1.4kg], 4GB, 500GB, W8

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Added on December 6, 2012, 6:17 am14"
G480, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT635M@RM1699, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), FreeDOS
G480, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT635M@RM1899, 4GB, 1TB (5400rpm), W8, 2 yrs warranty
Weight around 2.1kg

Nothing from Lenovo in 13" within your price range is good for gaming.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Dec 6 2012, 06:23 AM

i3-3217U come with Intel HD4000
B987 only come with Intel HD2000 (a lot worse)

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Added on December 6, 2012, 10:11 pmS56CM is equipped with i5-3317U.
N56VZ that you referred to come with i5-3210M.

Both are 3rd gen Intel i-Core processor (Ivy Bridge).
3317U is ULV (ultra low voltage), thus save power, and is suitable for ultrabook where battery performance is main consideration.
3210M on the hand, draw more power, but is more powerful than 3317U.

That's why TJ is telling you about the tradeoff, portability (lighter and better battery performance) vs performance (more powerful).

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Dec 6 2012, 10:11 PM

Err ... is that such a thing ahh?
Just contributing since I am extremely free now after kids go to bed
Will probably start working full time in 2013
TJ and other sifus are doing extremely good jobs

Both models are not sold in Msia.
Are you buying it from outside of Msia?

Specs may differ from market to market.
Does the seller able to provide you the detail spec? Share it with us, and we may be able to comment further.
Btw, why do you decide to buy from overseas? You do realise getting warranty support services may be an issue if models are not sold in Malaysia market?

What are the prices? That is an important factor

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Added on December 7, 2012, 1:00 amLenovo 14"
Y480(5934-7549), i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT650M (GDDR5) @RM2599 [JBL], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), backlit keyboard, freeDOS
Y480(5934-1372), i7-3610QM + Nvidia GT650(GDDR5)@RM2699[JBL], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), backlit keyboard, W7HB, 2 years international warranty
Negotiate and it is within your budget.
Some forumers have voiced recently saying it is dfficult to find seller with ready stocks. Just check with those reputable sellers in LYN garage sales forum.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Dec 7 2012, 01:00 AM

New model in Malaysia. Not sure whether you can find it in PC fair (never bother to go myself, sorry )
Check out the reputable sellers in LYN garage sale forum (a lot of them have physical store). Can get good discount like in PC fair (remember to negotiate), some give good / personal service, some even offer deliver service FOC
Disclaimer: I am not related to any of the sellers (as far as I am aware)

If that is indeed the price for NV-55S36U for that spec, then it is not a very good deal, comparing to these:
Toshiba 14"
Satellite L840D-1000, A6-4400M + AMD HD7610M@RM1499[2.12kg], 2GB, 500GB, freeDOS
Lenovo 15"
Ideapad Z585, A6-4400M + AMD HD7670M@RM1499, 2GB, 500GB(5400rpm), freeDOS, white, 1 year warranty

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Added on December 7, 2012, 1:30 amSorry to break this to you, but the Y580 is the cheapest model with FHD screen you can find in Malaysia
Price is RSP, you can negotiate with sellers. The lowest I have seen is around RM27xx.
However, the screen is glossy.

If you prefer matte screen, the cheapest is this:
Inspiron 15R (Special Edition), i7-3612QM + AMD HD7730M + (1920x1080; anti-glare) + 32GB SSD + 1TB HDD(5400rpm)@RM3199, 8GB,backlit keyboard optional, W7HP/W8
Again, remember to negotiate (even if you buy from Dell website)

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Dec 7 2012, 01:33 AM

Depends on the terms and conditions of the warranty by respective brands.
If the warranty specifically stated international warranty, and the brand actually is in Malaysia (e.g. Gateway is not, even though Acer is, and Gateway has been bought by Acer), then you can claim warranty in Malaysia.
However, that does not mean you will experience good warranty support service. If a particular model is not sold by the brand in Malaysia, they may not have the necessary spare parts to repair the laptop, and you may have to wait for spare parts order.

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Added on December 7, 2012, 2:51 pmLenovo
Ideapad Z580, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT640M@RM2299, 4GB, 750GB(5400rpm), W7HB, white
Ideapad G580, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT630M@RM1699, 2GB, 500GB, freeDOS, 1 yr warranty

Dell
Inspiron 15R (Special Edition), i5-3210M + AMD HD7730M@RM2199, 4GB, 1TB(5400rpm); backlit keyboard optional, W7HP/W8

Asus
N56VZ-S3151H, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT650M@RM2799[2.7kg][B&O], 4GB, 750GB, W8; color: black
This one slightly out of your budget (negotiate and can get it around RM2.6k), but come with powerful GPU and has a free external subwoofer.

Anyway, any decent external speakers system will beat the built-in speakers of a laptop


This post has been edited by nexus2238: Dec 7 2012, 02:51 PM

Dell 15"
Inspiron 15R (Special Edition), i7-3612QM + AMD HD7730M + (1920x1080; anti-glare) + 32GB SSD + 1TB HDD(5400rpm)@RM3199, 8GB,backlit keyboard optional, W7HP/W8
Vostro 3560, i7-3632QM + AMD HD7670M + 32GB SSD + 750GB(7200rpm) HDD + (1920x1080; anti-glare)@RM3209[2.57kg], 8GB, W7HB; colors: red/silver/bronze

Lenovo 15"
Ideapad Y580, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GTX660M + 1920x1080 @RM2999[JBL], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7HB/W8, backlit keyboard, 2 yrs warranty
17"
Ideapad G780, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT630M + (1600x900)@RM2399[3.0kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm); W7HP/750GB@RM2499

The (1920x1080) FHD resolution will give you more work space (can see more in a screen). Anti-glare mean the screen will not reflect light (from behind you, eg), more easy on your eyes. Price is RSP and negotiable, even when you buy from Dell online. Try to extend warranty period for peace of mind.

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

13.3" is primarily the domain of ultrabook. They are not cheap (mostly > RM3k) and without discrete GPU (not very suitable for gaming).

Remember, all the prices are RSP and negotiable.

Dell 14"
Inspiron 14, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT620M@RM1599[2.1kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), Ubuntu Linux 11.10
15"
Inspiron 15, i5-3210M + Intel HD4000@RM1549[2.4kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), Ubuntu Linux 11.10; W7HB/W8@RM1709

Lenovo 14"
G480, i5-3210M + Intel HD4000@RM1499, 2GB, 500GB (5400rpm), FreeDOS
G480, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT635M@RM1699, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), FreeDOS
15"
Ideapad G580, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT630M@RM1699, 2GB, 500GB, freeDOS, 1 yr warranty

Price is RSP, negotiable.

You don't need a lot of CPU/GPU power for the usage you have in mind.
Both have more than enough processing power to satisfy your requirement.
The Dell has anti-glare screen, better for your eye if you stare at the screen for a long period and there are light sources around. More RAM (good if you open a lot of apps or documents), bigger HDD, and a small SSD for caching (apps should lauch slightly faster).
The Lenovo has more power CPU, and a much more power GPU, and a better speaker.
Use your remaining budget to extend warranty to 3 years on site, and you should be ready to go.
Remember, price is negotiable.

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Added on December 8, 2012, 9:23 pm3. How extensive? Professional? Or amatuer light touch up? (impact the processing power and screen type you may need).

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Added on December 8, 2012, 9:28 pmhttp://event.asus.com/my/2012/productguide...er_December.pdf
Official price list here.
Don't think there is a i3 spec.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Dec 8 2012, 09:28 PM