5. Singapore - GST.
2. Are you a professional? If yes, most pro using Autocad will tell you that the apps is optimised for OpenGL. So within your budget, you may want to look for laptop that come with Nvidia NVS / Quadro , AMD FirePro GPU. These type of GPU come with driver that optimised for OpenGL. (whereas the consumer line up of GPU is mostly optimised for directx).

Yup, as Astria sifu said, the NVS/Quadro/FirePro GPU is normally found in business class laptop.

The side benefit is this type of machine normally has better built quality (more solid case, some have internal roll cage, better warranty support (vs consumer line)), use matte screen, have docking port (which ease charging, connect to external keyboard / mouse / HDD, multiple displays ...)

So if you are a professional and budget allow, it's worth while to check them out.

Otherwise, just look for laptop with i7-3xxxQM CPU with decent GPU, and FHD screen (this give you more work space) within your budget. For example:
Dell
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)@RM3209[2.57kg], 8GB, W7HB; colors: red/silver/bronze

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Dec 13 2012, 02:45 PM

1. You should highlight G55VW battery performance suck big time since it could not utilise Nvidia Optimus to switch to Intel HD 4000. Btw the Intel HD 4000 always come with the CPU, it is just that G55VW could not utilise it. So in fact, G55VW owners are paying for something which they could never use.

2. If you think so call Dell Inspiron thermal profile is bad, you have it coming with Y580 (I am an owner of Y580). At its stock configuration, the whole left side of the keyboard could become very uncomfortably hot even under normal usage.

3. Do you even know if Revit or Autocad can utilise Nvidia SLI? I am not sure personally (but I think chances is NO). If indeed Revit and Autocad could not utilise SLI, then TS is wasting money buying the ultrabay GPU that come with Y500.

4. How you ever seen G55VW user sending in the machine for service and have to wait for week / month (s) to get it back? If TS is a professional, that is not acceptable down time.

I am not in any ways related to Dell, btw. But good warranty support service beat so call "quality" any time of the day.

^
1. What I meant was G55VW, no matter what TS use it for, always utilise the GTX660M CPU. For a gaming rig setup, this may not be an issue, since gamers see it coming. Of course other laptops equipped with discrete GPU, when the GPU kick in, will suffer the same drain in battery performance. In the odd chance that TS use the laptop for less demanding task that Intel HD 4000 could handle (check email, eg), laptop that utilise Nvidia Optimus is more ideal for battery performance.

3. I check Nvidia SLI website. Revit and Autocad is not in the application list. Y500 is ~RM800 > Y580, and a big part of this is for the ultrabay GPU. My point is RM800 could buy TS a lot of things, and should not be wasted on something one could never utilise (it's not an investment in technology if you could not use the technology).

4. I am not prejudice against Asus. God know how many Asus model I like and seriously comtemplating to buy. But the fact is Asus warranty support service is inconsistent. So any owners is buying a "negative" lottery, one don't want to strike, but the chance is higher than 4D (the 3 years mulfuction rate that Asus so proudly listed on its product catalog is 15%).

My suggestion to any professional: If you are relying on your laptop to make a living, good warranty support service is one of the most important consideration in your purchase dicision. Go to any reputable corporation in Malaysia which IT department is worth their salt. You will only find Dell, Lenovo, HP (less so). If a user could not afford lengthy down time, these are the brand that is able to provide the professional level of warranty support service.

Lenovo, by the way, already offer onsite service to consumer. It does not come standard. Buyer has to specifically ask for it during purchase.

If TS is a student or the machine is not be used to make a living, by all means consider the models you suggest.

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Added on December 15, 2012, 8:27 amGood one, astria sifu. Playing dumb and ignorant is a great strategy

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Dec 15 2012, 08:28 AM