Interesting
Very good budget.
Why not consider high end ultrabook?
Don't spend money on GPU since your parents most likely won't need it. So with your budget, go for good build quality, nice screen (IPS), SSD for best user experience

Acer
Aspire S7-391-53314G12, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 128GB SSD + (1920x1080; touch)@RM3799, 4GB, W8

Apple
MacBookAir 13", i5-3427U + Intel HD4000 + 128GB SSD + (1440x900)@RM3699[1.35kg], 4GB, backlit keyboard, Mac OSX
MacBookAir 13", i5-3427U + Intel HD4000 + 256GB SSD + (1440x900)@RM4599[1.35kg], 4GB, backlit keyboard, Mac OSX
MacBookPro 13" (Retina Display), i5-3210M + Intel HD4000 + 128GB SSD + (2560x1600)@RM5299[1.62kg], 8GB, backlit keyboard, Mac OSX

Asus
UX31A-R4005H, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 128GB SSD + (1920 x 1080)@RM3499[1.3kg], 4GB, W8
UX31A-R4003H, i7-3517U + Intel HD4000 + 256GB SSD + (1920 x 1080)@RM4599[1.3kg], 4GB, W8

Dell
XPS12, i5-3337U + Intel HD4000 + 128GB SSD + (1920x1080;touch)@RM3999[1.54kg], 8GB, W8, backlit, spill resistant keyboard, build-in battery, no ODD
XPS13, i5-3337U + Intel HD4000 + 256GB SSD + (1920x1080)@RM4299[1.36kg], 8GB, W8, backlit
XPS13, i7-3517U + Intel HD4000 + 256GB SSD+ (1920x1080)@RM4599[1.36kg], 8GB, W8, backlit

Lenovo
IdeaPad Yoga 13, i5-3337U + Intel HD4000 + 128GB SSD@RM3399, 4GB, 2 years; colors: grey/orange

Samsung
ATIV Smart Pro, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 128GB SSD + (1920x1080; touch)@RM3599[884g w/o keyboard], 4GB, stylus, W8; color: black

Prices are RSP, negotiable.
Want good warranty, go for Dell, extend warranty to 3 years on site.

HD4000 can handle Warcraft 3 and CS But some love from Nvidia never do any harm
With Optimus, the discrete GPU will only kick in when needed. Battery performance with HD4000 is good (while you do programming on the go), and when you game (plug in the power please ), the Nvidia GPU still give you better experience.

Need advice here. is Lenovo Ideapad Z500 i5-3230M 2.6Ghz non-ULV easily going overheating when playing graphics games. what about when we compare the cooling system with its thinness.

Ohhhh thats awesome! will consider one of these options! Thanks!

Lenovo

S400 59-346610 [RM 1,449] 1.8KG
i5-2365M; ATI HD7450 1GB; 500GB HDD; 4GB RAM; 14" WXGA HD; Windows 7 Professional


S400 59-346442/43 [RM 1,699] 1.8KG
i5-3317U; Integrated Graphic; 24GB SSD + 500GB HDD; 4GB RAM; 14" WXGA HD; Windows 7 Basic

G480 59-356426 [RM 1,749] 2.2KG
i5-3210M; Nvidia GT635M 2GB; 1TB HDD; 4GB RAM; 14" HD WLEDl Windows 8 Premium

Z480 59-368644 [RM 1,949] 2.2KG
i5-3230M; Nvidia GT640M 2GB; 1TB HDD; 4GB RAM; 14" HD WLED; Windows 8 Premium



Toshiba

L840-1009X [RM1,799] 2.2KG
i5-3230M; AMD Radeon HD 7670M 1GB; 500GB HDD; 2GB RAM; 14" WXGA HD; Windows 8 Premium

U840-1009X [RM1,799] 1.7KG
i3-3217U; AMD Radeon HD 7550M 1GB; 32GB SSD + 500GB HDD; 4GB RAM; 14" WXGA HD; Windows 7 Premium

U840-1008X [RM2,199] 1.7KG
i5-3317U; AMD Radeon HD 7550M 1GB; 32GB SSD + 640GB HDD; 4GB RAM; 14" WXGA HD; Windows 7 Premium

U940-1001X [RM2,499] 1.7KG
i5-3317U; Nvidia GT630M 2GB; 32GB SSD + 640GB HDD; 4GB rAM; 14" WXGA HD; Windows 8 Premium

Thank you for your summarize.
I tried Y500 at my local store before but the touch pad seems like same as what the others said,the trackpad keep auto move or not function as usual. Is Lenovo solve the problem?
I feel like wanted to go to Y500 although I not gaming.gaming rig specs would be a + for laptop I think but I get offered from dell with a lower price and a upgrade laptop bag(which I don't know worth it or not) Dell Sales Assistant told me that the offer only valid for one day :S He needs me to make a quick decision

The Y500 touchpad issue is well known. The problem is with the Elan touchpad, not software.
I understand the latest batch Y500 manufactured after mid Mar13 (iinm) don't have the touchpad issue anymore (use another touchpad). In certain countries, Lenovo also offer customers who bought Y500 previously and complain about touchpad a service to change the touchpad at SC (but so far no forumers in LYN has reported this in Malaysia )

If you don't game, then you really don't need a "gaming rig"
The 15R SE has pretty decent GPU as well, just not as powerful as the GT650M.
But I know the Y500 do look nicer
Anyway, don't worry about the "1 day" offer from the Dell online sales agent. Look to chat with the same agent again anytime, he/she will be able to offer you the same deal again
If I remember correctly, you opt for 3 years warranty? Try to hack down the price by 10% (from the price show online after your customisation). That is consider good deal. If you can hack down even lower, even better

the processor normally wont overheat easily but the graphic card will. the processor will be around 65C and the graphics card will be around 80C.

ps - its just an assumption. other sifus please do correct me if im wrong.

this is better pick.

Hmmm,I see.It should be safe if buy from reputable forumer like devour. Then I doubt the unit that sold at my local store is a grey unit?

I don't mind the looking seriously lol.but it will be a "+" anyway I heard people said that gaming rig provide you a smoother experience and more powerful in whatever you do when compare to a normal laptop like dell inspiron
I get offered from the SA for 3.35k for 3 years accidental warranty,backlit keyboard and an upgrade for the laptop bag.Is it nice enough to convince me to buy the dell SE over lenovo? discount for about 12%

This post has been edited by NecroPhilia: Apr 3 2013, 01:50 AM

http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2491914
Read the 1st post of this thread to seel how to differentiate local set vs grey import for Y500.

Gaming rig is just laptop with more powerful GPU, CPU, etc. Nothing fancy

If you really want smooth experience, for your usage, you actually need SSD (rather than overpowering CPU / GPU)

12% discount from Dell is good. 3 years accidental warranty coverage is very good

Brand : -
Budget : 2.5k
Usage : gaming


Any recommendation?

Asus
A45VS-VX026H, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT645M@RM2199[2.4kg], 2GB, 500GB, W8

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

Lenovo
Y400, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT650M@RM2799, 4GB, 500GB, W8, 120wPSU, swappable ODD
Z480, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT640M@RM1999, 4GB, 1TB(5400rpm) W8, colors: grey/red/blue

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

Oh god, please help! I still can't make up my mind, thought some pros have given me suggestion. I heard that Asus is bad in warranty support and Zenbook is hard to be repaired once the problem exist. So now, this is my final consideration before i getting one:

Lenovo IdeaPad U410, i5-3317U
Aspire S5-391-53314G12, i5-3317U, Intel HD4000, 128GB SSD, 4GB Ram, 13" (1366x768) @ 1.35kg
UX32VD-R3001V, i5-3317U, Nvidia GT620M, 24GB SSD + 500GB HDD, 4GB Ram, 13" (1600 x 900) @ 1.3kg

my first consideration currently is Lenovo IdeaPad U410, i5-3317U because what i heard is their keyboard design is actually quite good but im worrying about others issue, anyone out there using this model? may i get some feedback from u guys? while the second consideration still Asus UX32VD and last goes to Acer S3, as it is exceed my budget which is below 3k.

hmm if u got 2.5k-3k cash..what brand or wat laptop u will buy for gaming(COD)(FIFA)(NFS) and some on9 game..and some college assignment..

suggestions :

Lenovo Ideapad Z580, i7-3612QM + Nvidia GT640M@RM2499, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7HB, white
ASUS N56VZ-S3151H, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT650M@RM2799[2.7kg][B&O], 4GB, 750GB, W8; color: black
Acer V3-571G-736b8G1T, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT730M(DDR3) + (1920x1080 IPS) @RM2899[2.6kg], 8GB, 1TB, W8
HP [Ultrabook] Envy4-1204TX, i5-3337U + AMD HD8750M + 32GB mSATA +500GB(5400rpm)@RM2399[Beats][1.75kg], 2GB, W8

best suggestion is the Acer V3-571G-736b8G1T. comes with core i7, GT730M and full HD IPS display.

1. Preferred Brand: Anything except Apple & HP
2. Budget: 2500 +/-
3. Usage: A lot of Movies + Musics, moderate gaming, assignments
4. Preferred laptop/screen size : 14'/15' (res 1920x1080 if possible )

Thanks!

14" models
Acer Aspire V3-471G-53212G75d, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT630M@RM1899[2.3kg], 2GB, 750GB W8
ASUS A45VS-VX026H, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT645M@RM2199[2.4kg], 2GB, 500GB, W8
Dell Inspiron 14R, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT630M@RM1899[2.29kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W8
Dell New Inspiron 14R, i5-3337U + Nvidia GT730M + (1366x768;touch)@RM2099[2.33kg], 4GB, 750GB(5400rpm), Linux; W8@RM2399
Dell Inspiron 14R (Special Edition), i5-3210M + Nvidia GT640M(28nm Kepler)@RM2049[2.38kg], 4GB, 500GB(7200rpm), W7HP/W8
Lenovo Z480, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT640M@RM1999, 4GB, 1TB(5400rpm) W8, colors: grey/red/blue
Lenovo G480, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT635M@RM1899, 4GB, 1TB (5400rpm), W8, 2 yrs warranty

15" models
Dell Inspiron 15R (Special Edition), i5-3210M + AMD HD7730M@RM2199, 4GB, 1TB(5400rpm); backlit keyboard optional, W8
Lenovo Ideapad G580, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT630M@RM1699, 2GB, 500GB, freeDOS, 1 yr warranty
Lenovo Z500, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT645M @RM2299, 4GB, 1TB, W8; backlit, 2 years warranty (4-cell)

apple is not in that price range.
im sorry that models that comes with full HD display is RM2500 and above. with the remaining budget, upgrade your RAM, HDD to SSD or extend the warranty.

Wow! Even you recommend Dell for good warranty. I guess I can almost say bye bye to Lenovo then.

As for the model above, too bad for a guy like me as the models are all slim design that would run hot if I run some pretty heavy task on it. I Would prefer thicker built with very good ventilation (and no dedicated GPU) with ULV processor and the best of all, no W8. What is your advice on the models that suit my need? Or should I just wait for the upcoming Haswell?

i've noticed the Lenovo Z500 used the power processor non-ULV and graphic but maintain thin like ultrabook. dont they easily overheating. correct me if i'm wrong. newbies here.