Worthy - this is subjective There are personal preference regarding aesthetic, touch and feel, ... (I personally am a sucker for the Latitude business look )
Better - putting aside all thing subjective, the Iconia out-spec the other 2 in terms of CPU & IGPU (the Samsung has keyboard and stylus).
Iconia has a docking station. Package don't include bluetooth keyboard (you most likely saw some aftermarket product), stylus. But Acer apparently will launch a dock with keyboard in 2013.

http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2648154
Read this thread for all the info regarding Iconia in Malaysia

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Jan 22 2013, 02:14 PM

Good luck. I understand from some sifus that Lenovo Malaysia is phasing out Zx80 with Zx00 this year, and that's why we are seeing price drop in Z480 / 580 now
Definitely don't think Indonesia / Saudi Arabia could be 2 model gen behind Malaysia

Vostro 4300 is running on 1st gen i3, should not be too bad for her usage.
The laptop has been with her for 3 years? Has she ever clean the laptop for dust? (air inlet / outlet, internal fan ... )
Dust clog up lead to CPU overheat, leads to under-throttle, leads to slowwwwwness.
If she don't know how to do, get her to bring the laptop to a friendly neighbourhood laptop technician to clean and re-apply thermal paste (labour cost should be cheap).

After that, maybe do a clean install of OS (go 64bit) and all the apps. Things should be better.
I remember the standard RAM come with Vostro 4300 was 2G (not really sure). If yes, then spend ~ RM80 to upgrade RAM.
Still have money to burn? Upgrade the HDD to SSD (128G ~ RM250+).

3 year old battery is about to die It's the law of nature Get a new battery.

The type of softwares you run, for best performance, go for i7 CPU (can utilise quad core). Catia, Solidworks, for best performance, need GPU with certified driver (those Quadro, Firepro thingy), but can also utilise normal consumer GPU for 3D (but I understand you may lose some functionality).

I suggest you go for 15", with i7, discrete GPU, FHD (for workspace).
Sacrifice light weight for better performance. Powerful machine inadvertibly will get warm in laptop form factor, get good external cooling solution

Dell
Inspiron 15R, i7-3517U + AMD HD8730M + (1920x1980; anti-glare)@RM3199[2.32kg], 8GB, 1TB(5400rpm), W8SL (CPU is only duo core, GPU also weaker, but is lighter than the 15R SE)
Inspiron 15R (Special Edition), i7-3612QM + AMD HD7730M + (1920x1080; anti-glare) + 32GB SSD + 1TB HDD(5400rpm)@RM3199, 8GB,backlit keyboard optional, W7HP/W8

Lenovo
Ideapad Y580, i7-3610QM + Nvidia GTX660M (2GB) + (1920x1080) + Bluray@RM3499[JBL], 8GB, 1TB HDD(7200rpm), W7HP, backlit keyboard, 2 years international warranty

Extend / upgrade warranty to 3 years on site (best warranty support you can get for laptop in Malaysia)
Price is RSP, negotiable.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Jan 23 2013, 11:15 AM

You mean you could not find the battery for Vostro 4300 on Dell Malaysia website?
If you could not find it with retailers elsewhere, give Dell a call (the 1800 number). They may have stocks but don't listed it on the website.

Well, you mentioned you want 3 year warranty, and I suppose you want good warranty support for what you pay Dell, Lenovo fit that criteria.
Asus - you are riding your luck with the SC HP & Toshiba - you need to send to SC.

Anyway, 15"
Asus
N56VZ-S4284H, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT650M + (1920x1080) + Bluray@RM3699[2.7kg][B&O], 4GB, 1TB, W8; color: black
A55VJ-SX147H, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT635M@RM3099[2.52kg], 6GB, 1TB, W8; color: black

HP
Pavillion M6-1110TX, i7-3632QM + AMD HD7670M@RM2999[Beats], 4GB, 1TB(5400rpm), W8
dv6-7014TX, i7-3610QM + Nvidia GT630M + Bluray@RM3999[Beats], 8GB, 1TB (5400rpm)

Toshiba
Satellite P850-1006X, i7-3610QM + Nvidia GT640M + Bluray@RM3999[2.6kg][harman/kardon], 4GB, 1TB, W7HP

14"
Asus
A45VS-VX028H, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT640M@RM2899[2.4kg], 4GB, 750GB, W8

Dell
Inspiron 14R (Special Edition), i7-3612QM + Nvidia GT640M(28nm Kepler)@RM2799[2.38kg], 8GB, 1TB(5400rpm); backlit keyboard optional
Vostro 3460, i7-3632QM + Nvidia GT630M + 32GB mSATA+ 750GB(7200rpm) HDD@RM3149[2.23kg], 8GB, W7HB; colors: red/silver/bronze

HP
Pavilion G4-2111TX, i7-3612QM + AMD HD7670M@RM2499[2.19kg], 4GB, 1TB(5400rpm), W7HP
Envy Dv4-5205TX, i7-3630M + Nvidia GT630M@RM2699[Beats], 4GB, 750GB(5400rpm), W8

Lenovo
Y400, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT650M@RM2799, 4GB, 500GB, W8, 120wPSU, swappable ODD

Toshiba
Satellite M840-1009XG/XP/XQ, i7-3612QM + AMD HD7670M@RM2799[2kg], 4GB, 750GB, W7HP; colors: Gold/Pink/Blue

External cooling? Table fan (Not kidding) Or cooling pad
http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1334052
Read here if you want to know all about it. Basically ~RM80 from reputable brands should be good enough.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Jan 23 2013, 05:10 PM

"good storage memory" - do you mean large Hard Disc Drive (HDD)?

Anyway, with your budget, laptops with most raw power:

Lenovo
G480, i3-3110M + Nvidia GT635M@RM1499, 2GB, 500GB(5400rpm), FreeDOS
G480, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT635M@RM1699, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), FreeDOS

FreeDOS means you need to get OS yourself. Price is RSP, negotiable (slightly).

S400, i3-2365M + AMD HD7450M@RM1699[1.8kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7HB
S400, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 24GB mSATA + 500GB(5400rpm)@RM1999[1.8kg], 4GB, W7HB; AMD HD7450M/W8@RM2199

The i3 is sandy bridge (2nd gen), the i5 is ivy bridge (3rd gen) Intel i core CPU.
The i3 is also an M(obile) CPU, and the i5 is ULV (ultra low voltage) CPU. The i5 in this case is more power efficient.
The S400 with i5 spec also has a mSATA SSD for caching, which make boot up / regularly used apps launch slightly snappier.

For MS Office 2010 (Words, Excel, Powerpoint), you will not notice much difference in raw processing power. The i5 spec one, due to the mSATA SSD caching, however, may seems to be more "responsive" in certain circumstance.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Jan 23 2013, 05:23 PM

Actually MS Office 2010 is not such a relative resource hog compared to MS Office 2007 (I don't think you will notice much difference between the 2)
If you really want "fast" responsiveness, go for full SSD instead of HDD or HDD+mSATA SSD cache. You will notice a big difference in term of boot time and all apps response
SSD is still relatively expensive now, 128G ~ RM250++, 256G ~ RM550+.

what kind of course are you doing in college? Engineering? Graphic design? Or Just Law / Finance ?
Btw, please read the very 1st post of this thread and please follow the format, otherwise you will find sifus here asking for info that you should have provided

^+1.
You will need models like Lenovo Thinkpad, Dell Latitude / Precision, HP Elitebook that are really solidly built to stay any chance of minor rugged usage (full rugged you better look at Panasonic Toughbook or any other ATG models).
(they has withstand my abuse over the years )

But this type of business class laptop is expensive
So your alternative route is go consumer class and get "complete coverage warranty" (basically technician will fix any hardware problem no question ask).

??? Asus latest product guide? For which time period?
http://my.asus.com/Static_WebPage/Product_Guide/
Check here. The model is there.

Most powerful 14" money can buy in Malaysia:

Dell
Alienware M14x R2, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT650M (1GB) + (1600x900)@RM3949[Klipsch], 8GB, 1TB(5400rpm); [CPU Options: i7-3630QM - i7-3840QM], W8, 2 years warranty (when buy online, just upgrade the CPU to cheapest i7, and upgrade warranty to 3 year. Don't waste money for 2GB GT650M, the GT650M could not utilise 2GB VRAM)

Lenovo
Y400, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT650M@RM2799, 4GB, 500GB, W8, 120wPSU, swappable ODD (upgrade warranty to 3 year on site. Later this year, Lenovo is going to release an ultrabay GT650M, buy it and you will have 2 GT650M running at SLI mode)

Price is RSP, negotiable.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Jan 25 2013, 03:51 AM

Dell
Alienware M14x R2, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT650M (1GB) + (1600x900)@RM3949[Klipsch], 8GB, 1TB(5400rpm); [CPU Options: i7-3630QM - i7-3840QM], W8, 2 years warranty

Lenovo
Y400, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT650M@RM2799, 4GB, 500GB, W8, 120wPSU, swappable ODD
Ideapad Y580, i7-3610QM + Nvidia GTX660M (2GB) + (1920x1080) + Bluray@RM3499[JBL], 8GB, 1TB HDD(7200rpm), W7HP, backlit keyboard, 2 years international warranty
Ideapad Y500, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT650M + (1920x1080)@RM3799, 4GB, 500GB, W8; GN36 exGPU, 170W AC adapter

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

Price is RSP, negotiable.

15" normally not light
Reliable - all brands has lemon. You want reliable warranty support (especially if you actually use it in "office" and could not afford downtime )

Dell
14"
Inspiron 14-3421, i5-3317U + Nvidia GT625M@RM1799[1.99kg], Win8SL, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), 6-cell
Inspiron 14R, i5-3317U + Nvidia GT640M LE@RM2099[1.97kg], 4GB, 750GB(5400rpm), W8SL
Vostro 3460, i5-3210M + Intel HD4000@RM2199[2.23kg], 4GB, 500GB(7200rpm), W7HB; colors: red/silver/bronze (if you prefer matte screen)
15"
Inspiron 15R, i5-3317U + AMD HD7670M@RM1999[2.32kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W8SL
Inspiron 15R, i7-3517U + AMD HD8730M + (1920x1980; anti-glare)@RM3199[2.32kg], 8GB, 1TB(5400rpm), W8SL
Vostro 3560, i5-3210M + Intel HD4000@RM2199[2.57kg], 4GB, 500GB(7200rpm), W7HB; colors: red/silver/bronze (if you prefer matte screen)

Upgrade warranty to 3 year on site. Select MS Office when you buy from Dell Online. Within your budget.
Price is RSP, negotiable (if you buy from Dell Online, just online chat).

These are the cheapest Netbook you can find:
Acer
Aspire AOD270, Atom N2800 + Intel GMA 3650@RM1099, W7HB, free Acer pouch, colors: aquamarine/carnival

Asus
Eee PC X101CH, Atom N2600 + Intel GMA3600@RM959, 2GB, 320GB(5400rpm); FreeDOS@RM799
Eee PC 1025C, Atom N2800 + Intel GMA3650@RM999,2GB, 320GB(5400rpm), colors: blue/red/black/white

Lenovo
IdeaPad S110, Atom N2800 + Intel GMA3650@RM1099, 2GB, 500GB, W7S; colors: flower/red/blue/white/black

Toshiba
NB520-1065/Q/N/G/B, Atom N2800 + Intel GMA3650@RM1049[harman/kardon][1.32kg], colors: brown/Turquoise/copper/lime green/blue

These are the cheapest 14" you can find:

Dell
Inspiron 14, B820 + Intel HD@RM999[2.1kg], 2GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W8

Lenovo
G480, B830 + Intel HD3000@RM999, 2GB, 500GB (5400rpm), FreeDOS; W8@RM1199

Price is RSP, negotiable.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Jan 25 2013, 10:43 AM

If your budget is > RM5k, where is your limit?

Asus
G55VW-S1216H, i7-3610QM +Nvidia GTX660M (2GB) + (1920x1080)@3999[3.78kg], 4GB, 1TB(5400rpm), W8
G55VW-IX190 [3D], i7-3610QM + Nvidia GTX660M + Bluray@RM4999[3.78kg], 8GB, 1TB(5400rpm), W8

MSI
GE60, i7-3610QM + Nvidia GTX660M + (1920x1080; anti-glare) + Bluray@RM4199, 8GB, 1TB(7200rpm), W7HP, 2 years warranty, gaming mouse & backpack, Free SteelSeries QCK Mass mousepad
GT60-ONC, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GTX670MX + (1920x1080;anti-glare)@RM5799[Dyaudio], 8GB, 750GB(7200rpm), W7HP, 2 years warranty, MSI backpack, HDMI cable

Dell
Alienware M14x R2, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT650M (1GB) + (1600x900)@RM3949[Klipsch], 8GB, 1TB(5400rpm); [CPU Options: i7-3630QM - i7-3840QM], W8, 2 years warranty
Alienware M14x R2, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT650M (2GB) + (1600x900)@RM4699[Klipsch], 8GB, 1TB(5400rpm); [CPU Options: i7-3630QM - i7-3840QM], W7HP/W8

Lenovo
Y400, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT650M@RM2799, 4GB, 500GB, W8, 120wPSU, swappable ODD
Y500, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT650M + (1920x1080)@RM3799, 4GB, 500GB, W8; GN36 exGPU, 170W AC adapter

Illegear www.illegear.com
Illegear RS-15, i5-3210M + AMD HD7970M + (1920x1080)@RM5299, 8GB, 500GB(5400rpm), FreeDOS [CPU Options: i5-3210M - i7-3940XM][GPU options: GTX680M]

Yes, plenty
For example:
Asus Zenbook Prime, Envy Spectre XT 13, Envy Spectre 14, Dell Precision, HP Elitebook ...

Which brands you have in mind? Please let us know
As I mentioned, you want "reliable", in Malaysia, Dell is your best bet due to good warranty support.

That G55VW-IX190H is also expensive due to the 3D screen. Personally I don't see the point of a 3D screen in a 15" screen