1. any (please make note if warranty service is terribad.. i heard asus is terriworst)
2. any
3. AutoCAD (need speed i think)
4. =>15", IPS

notes: self-install ssd

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

prices are RSP and negotiable.

Dell Inspiron 14-3421, i3-3217U + Intel HD4000@RM1399[1.99kg], Win8SL, 2GB, 500GB(5400rpm), 4-cell
Lenovo G480, i5-3230M + Intel HD4000@RM1499, 2GB, 500GB (5400rpm), FreeDOS

you are just into studies, so i assume you dont have gaming intentions. so i recommended those without graphics card to save your battery life. prices are RSP and negotiable.

no IPS screens for 17" except the one offered by Acer which is 15".

Acer V3-571G-736b8G1T, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT730M(DDR3) + (1920x1080 IPS) @RM2899[2.6kg], 8GB, 1TB, W8

for 17", it will be :

MSI GT70-ONC, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GTX670MX + (1920x1080; anti-glare)@RM6099[Dyaudio], 8GB, 750GB(7200rpm), W8, 2 years warranty, MSI backpack, HDMI cable
Illegear RE-17, i5-3210M + Nvidia GTX660M + (1920x1080)@RM3499, 4GB, 500(5400rpm), FreeDOS [CPU Options: i5-3210M - i7-3840XM
Alienware M17x R4, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GTX660M + (1920x1080)@RM5999[Starting 4.26kg][Klipsch], 6GB, 500GB (7200rpm), W7HP/W8, backlit keyboard [GPU options: GTX660M/HD7970M/GTX675M/GTX680M)

Unlimited budget? Want IPS screen?
AutoCAD - need i7 quad core.

Acer
V3-571G-736b8G1T, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT730M(DDR3) + (1920x1080 IPS) @RM2899[2.6kg], 8GB, 1TB, W8

Dell
Precison M4700, i7-3720M + Nvidia Quadro K1000M@RM5800, 4GB, 750GB(7200rpm), W7P [Screen Upgrade: FHD, FHD IPS RGB] [CPU Upgrade: up to i7-3920XM] [GPU Upgrade: Quadro K2000M] [RAM up to 32GB]
Precision M6700, i7-3520M + AMD FirePro M6000 + (1600x900)@RM8100, 4GB, 750GB(7200rpm), W7P, 3 Years ProSupport, [Screen Upgrade: FHD, IPS FHD, 3D FHD][CPU Upgrade: up to i7-3920XM][GPU Upgrade: Quadro K5000M] [RAM up to 32GB]
Opt for the FHD IPS.

HP
Envy 15-3204TX, i7-3610QM + AMD HD7750 + (1920x1080 Radiance)@RM4999[2.63kg], 8GB, 1TB(5400rpm)
EliteBook 8570w, i7-3520M + Nvidia Quadro K1000M + (1920x1080) + Bluray@RM6199, 4GB, 750GB(7200rpm), W7P/W8

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]
Illegear RS-17, i5-3210M + AMD HD7970M + (1920x1080)@RM5599, 8GB, 500(5400rpm), FreeDOS [CPU Options: i5-3210M - i7-3940XM][GPU options: GTX680M]
Just tell illegear you want IPS screen

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

Hi Raymond. Thanks for the recommendations. For the Lenovo, when you say freedos does it mean it doesn't come with Windows?

Yes, the ULV option for Vostro 5460 is the i5-3337U. The i5-3230M is a more powerful CPU.

I just notice something; you mentioned you plan to edit FHD (1080p) video on these machine? But the display on these 14" is only HD (1366x768) How will it work? (you can edit but you cannot see the result unless you connect to FHD external display)
You can only find laptop with FHD screen in 13" (mostly too underpowered for your purpose) or 15" (maybe too heavy for you )

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Apr 24 2013, 10:22 AM

Yes, if we are talking about GT750M spec with GDDR5, it is clocked higher than GTX660M. Coupling with Nvidia GPU Boost 2.0, the GT750M (GDDR5) outperform GTX660M (GDDR5).

FHD gaming laptop with GT750M at RM2500-3200? Nada
Closest is the Y500.

Read the 1st post of this thread for latest update.
http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2491914

http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2491914
Read this thread.

Actually i meant the source video is 1080p and occasionally 2.7k resolutions.

Don't think a FHD laptop display is really necessary for me since mostly will view my edited videos on a HDTV. More concerned for laptop that can handle rendering & encoding the FHD videos in Sony Vegas.

Even on a Retina Display Mac - I won't be able to view the entire source video (if it's in 2.7k) in the timeline view, LOL.

About the Vostro 5460, I'm thinking that the single slot with 8GB memory is quite limited. Based on ur previous recommendations, the Lenovo Z400 looks good ... and maybe a Lenovo E430 too...

In terms of graphic card, which is the latest? Nvidia GT650M right?

Hi all sifus, I'm planning to get a new laptop at the middle of next month(may)

Previously a lot of people recommended me Lenovo y500 but still waiting for the new batch. So, I hope can have few different laptop with similar performance level so that I'm able to compare it.

1. Preferred Brand - except acer, any other brand also can

2. Budget - below rm 4 k

3. Usage - gaming, college work, web surfing

4. Preferred laptop/screen size - 15" inch

Thank in advance =))

Considered yourself warned: Z400 is not easy to maintain You need to tackle 20+ screws, take out ODD, keyboard, in order to access the RAM or to clean dust

E430?
ThinkPad Edge E430, i5-3220M + Intel HD4000@RM2599[2.2kg], W7P/W8, 4GB, 750GB (5400rpm), anti-glare
ThinkPad Edge E430, i7-3632QM + Nvidia GT635M + 16GB mSATA+750GB HDD@RM3399[2.2kg], W7P/W8, 4GB, anti-glare

Unless you get a very good deal somewhere, the i7 QM & GT635M spec is out of your budget. The i5 M & HD4000 is restricted by the underpowered IGPU

I think you better wait for the new Y500 with GT750M SLI

Anyway, alternatives:

Asus
G55VW-S1216H, i7-3630QM +Nvidia GTX660M (2GB) + (1920x1080)@RM3999[3.78kg], 4GB, 1TB(5400rpm), W8

MSI
GE60-OND, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GTX660M + (1920x1080; anti-glare)@RM3899, 8GB, 1TB, W8, 2 years warranty, MSI gaming mouse & backpack

www.illegear.com
Illegear RE-15, i5-3210M + Nvidia GTX660M + (1920x1080)@RM3299, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), FreeDOS [CPU Options: i5-3210M - i7-3840XM][/color]

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

First time hearing of this brand.. but very interesting
Are you a distributor for illegear or must order direct from illegear?

1. Super Glossy IPS screen possible?
2. Does GPU matter for AutoCAD? (not going to use 3d features i think)
3. Can self-change hard disk to ssd? Or need to disassemble (void warranty) to change hdd?

Illegear is setup by a group of Malaysians to distribute Clevo barebone. Good warranty service.
Look for Prince J in LYN. He is from illegear. This is his thread:
http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2613184

No, I am not related to illegear You can order online through illegear website. If you have any specific requirement that is not listed as options, can always chat with Prince J to find out more.

1. Prince J will be able to answer you
2. If you don't do 3D, don't need Nvidia / AMD GPU. Intel HD 4000 could handle. But I'm not sure if illegear sell anything without GPU
3. Are you talking about illegear specifically? They have extensive customisation options, you can go SSD if you want, and their pricing on SSD is quite reasonable i think unlike major brands If you talk about other brands, usually changing HDD after-market will not void hardware warranty, as long as you don't tear any of those "warranty void if broken" seal.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Apr 24 2013, 06:35 PM

Currently having dilemma in choosing these 2 laptops

Lenovo z500 & Asus S550cm

Lenovo
*i5 3210M (35watts) higher clockspeed
*nVidia gt645m
*15.6 non-touchscreen
* slightly bulkier

Asus
*i5 3317M (17watts) lower clockspeed
*nVidia gt635m
*15.6 touchscreen
*ultrabook category

Budget about Rm2500

Mostly for online and occasionally gaming

15" and above as I don't travel with it frequently.

*Will be bringing it to oversea therefore need a brand which provide best international warranty.

Mind advising..?

why don't get Lenovo Ideapad Z580, i7-3612QM + Nvidia GT640M@RM2499, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7HB, white ??

for that 2 laptop you mention, weight wise s550 should be lighter, but z500 don't have is non removable battery
yet just 4 cell battery
if you need touch screen go ahead get s550
FYI s550 processor is worse than the processor use on z500

Oversea where? If US, then buy in US.
If UK, Australia, may also consider buy there, pay the GST, then claim back the tax when you travel back to Malaysia during holiday.

Otherwise, Asus with most models having 2 years International Warranty is a good pick. Alternatively, Dell, if you extend warranty to 3 years, also will become International Warranty.

Why don't you consider:
Asus
N56VZ-S3151H, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT650M@RM2799[2.7kg][B&O], 4GB, 750GB, W8; color: black

Price is RSP, negotiable.
Better spec than the S55.
Not a good idea to get touchscreen in 15", the screen is heavy, and the hinge holding the screen and the keyboard base together may give way under too much poking poking.

Also, unless you have a very good reason (like you need the dedicated numpad), 15" HD screen give you the same image as 14" HD screen.

S550cm is using a low voltage processor I know it will be slower but the design really is really good and slim.
Z500 already bulky for me, z580 worst

Will be going to US soon but I'm not familiar with there so will get it here first...
I will just put the laptop at room most of the time so I think 15 inch will be more comfortable for my eye.
N56 design and performance wise is okay but its slightly over budget... Might consider...