Hi.

I'm planning to get a ultrabook between xps 13 or toshiba portege Z930-2002. Any advise on which model better? The price I got in pc fair today in Penang for toshiba is rm 3300? Is it cheap ? I'm going to use this laptop for long hours like 7-8 hours, for office work, programming software like visual studio, and some light graphics. Mostly would be heavy surfing and doing microsoft office. If you all can recommend different model would be good also. Thanks alot.

My term of graphic means very light usage using photoshop or corel draw to do small editing. I'm not good in graphics actually. Just test and try. If we use intel graphics, it won't be sufficient right ? What do you think of asus ultrabook and warranty wise ? I'm using asus laptop currently which is core i3 model with nvidia graphic but this is low end model and I don't have any problem. Recently, I'm hearing a lot of complaints on asus after sales service when claiming warranty. If we don't use for graphic what other options do we have?

The sony vaio stated Up to 11.0 hours battery life with optional sheet battery. What does this mean and how long is standard can last? Thank you very much for helping.

[quote=nexus2238,Dec 2 2012, 07:27 AM]
Lenovo warranty support is generally good in Malaysia, but sorry I can't comment for Kuching (I am from KL).
Y580 is a popular gaming machine, so you have strength in number
Anyway, Lenovo offer on site warranty (not the standard warranty that come with Y580). Ask the seller if they could do it for you or Lenovo offer it in Kuching. 3yr onsite extension from the standard 2 year warranty will cost you RM250+, I think.

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Added on December 2, 2012, 7:38 am
Well thanks to Intel, everyone is confused what is "ultrabook" now
Intel's original definition for ultrabook state it should NOT have discrete GPU that drain battery life, but recently after much protesting from brands, Intel relent.

Seriously though, the HD4000 in 3rd gen icore (ivy bridge) processor is a significant improvement over the HD3000 in 2nd gen (sandy bridge). HD4000 can let you play some games (eg. star craft 2, etc) in low setting reasonably well
So it can definitely handle "light" photoshop or corel draw, just don't expect miracle when you start doing 3D design or modeling

Ultrabook aim for portabilty and battery life. Those ultrabook that has discrete GPU, once the GPU kick in, battery drain fast.

Asus Malaysia warranty support is "iffy" to put it nicely. No doubt Asus design and quality for consumer line is pretty good, but there bound to be lemon Warranty support service, from what we see and heard, is inconsistent.

The Sony Vaio "sheet battery" is a very thin battery, the diameter is almost the full size of the laptop, (like a sheet of paper (but thicker) hence the name) that could be attach to the bottom of the laptop.

All ultrabook that use Intel ULV processor has decent battery life (anyway they are your best bet already, no other option give better battery performance ). If the model use SSD (no HDD), don't have discrete GPU, then battery could last 5-6 hours under "normal" usage.

If you still looking for ultrabook, and worry about Asus warranty:

Dell
XPS13, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 128GB SSD@RM3299[1.36kg], 4GB, W8, backlit
HP
Envy SpectreXT 13-2018TU, i7-3517U + Intel HD4000 + 128GB SSD@RM3399[1.39kg], 4GB, W8, 4 cell 45WHR, no ODD, backlit keyboard
Samsung
9 series NP900X3C, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 128GB SSD + (1600x900)@RM4799[1.16kg], W7HP

These are great ultrabook, and the brand offer good warranty support. Dell of course standout, since you can extend the warranty (if you willing to pay) to longer period, and they offer NBD on site service (you call, they come to your place to fix it on next business day).

TJ suggested Asus Zen because it has the best screen (IPS panel) and best resolution (FHD) among ultrabook.

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Added on December 2, 2012, 7:46 am

Hi..

Thank you for the detailed explanation. I understand better now. I went to try check out some laptop models today and manage to find out only some models. Asus zen series were not available at the place I check out. Only samsung, hp envy 4 and asus models. I might need to check out other shops for the models. I manage to find this more less similar model which TJ recommended. It's asus S56CM-XX140H.

This model is core i5 3317u with 200GB 5400 r sata + 24 G SSD. 2GB ddr3 ram 1600. graphic is nvidia geforce gt635 2GB. 15.6" HD color shine led. genuine window 8 64 bit with 2 year warranty.

what do you think of this model? the shop keeper said will free upgrade the ram to total 6gb. is is can last for normal usage ? seems light since made of aluminium. not that heavy and got dvdrw also. other models, i will check out tmrw. any other recommendations?

I'm getting more and more confused with ultrabook. Never had such a dilemma before. The shop quoted 2399 for me. I never knew the price is rm 2199. I will check out the catalog. The 1.6 K is what price ? Sorry. I'm confuse currently.

I will go and check out this laptops tmrw in different shops somewhere else. Not sure why I couldn't find much ultrabook today. Maybe due to pc fair today. I guess that I need to avoid the graphic part and do the graphic work in my desktop pc. If I'm only going for performance and battery wise like you're suggesting, HD 4000 with i5 is just nice right? Does 3317U and normal i5 laptop series perform the same ? I have decided to cut out the graphic. The heaviness part was still ok compared to my other laptop. Thats why I said like that,

Which model is preferable and good so far ? My price range only up to rm 3500 or 3700 if squeeze to maximum.

Asus [Ultrabook] UX31A-R4005H, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 128GB SSD + (1920 x 1080)@RM3499[1.3kg], 4GB, W8 --> comes with a full HD screen, larger workspace

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

HP
Envy SpectreXT 13-2018TU, i7-3517U + Intel HD4000 + 128GB SSD@RM3399[1.39kg], 4GB, W8, 4 cell 45WHR, no ODD, backlit keyboard

Would i7 offer better performance and heat?

For xps 13, can get discount if call them ? Never knew can negotiate. So long i thought dell price is fixed.