Raymond, summer job before school start or something? I thought you just finish the camp

Quite a big task you have in mind, TJ
Don't think I will have the time to properly write this type of piece (with work and children commitment ... )
Sometime when things go reaaaaally slow in the office, I have lots of free time to contribute to this thread, but sometime I only have time to check on this thread after all the children go to bed Not consistent. Weekly visit to LYP every Friday also cut short a bit now

Instead of writing, why don't we consider some point form thingy? Sifus and other forumers can nominate a few candidate models (or we could even vote on it). Instead of "of the months", we can make it a "reigning champions lists". Setup a few categories (gaming, business, multimedia, photoshop / CAD, travelling ... let's spend time thinking through what is appropriate, like those "most frequently asked"), and a few budget range, then stuck a few top models (1-5 models, don't need to be rigid) for each section (with a few points to support it, and things to look out for when buying). So the models will stay on the list, until something newer or better come along to knock it off the "throne" (with justification ...).

May also cut down the requirement for recommendation (sometime things do get a bit repetitive )

What do sifus think?

College? Uni?

sifu, this is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JojX_vwR7K0
I count at least 17 screws to get to RAM slot

Don't see why you need 15" unless you want dedicated numpad Same screen resolution in 14" & 15" (1366x768) just give you the same image.
For your budget, better go for 14".

Asus
A45VS-VX026H, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT645M@RM2199[2.4kg], 2GB, 500GB, W8
N56VZ-S3151H, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT650M@RM2799[2.7kg][B&O], 4GB, 750GB, W8; color: black

Dell
Inspiron 14R (Special Edition), i5-3210M + Nvidia GT640M(28nm Kepler)@RM2049[2.38kg], 4GB, 500GB(7200rpm), W7HP/W8
Inspiron 15R (Special Edition), i5-3210M + AMD HD7730M@RM2199, 4GB, 1TB(5400rpm); backlit keyboard optional, W8

Lenovo
Z480, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT640M@RM1999, 4GB, 1TB(5400rpm) W8, colors: grey/red/blue
Y400, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT650M@RM2799, 4GB, 500GB, W8, 120wPSU, swappable ODD
Z400, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT740M@RM2099, 4GB, 1TB, W8; 2 years warranty; colors: chocolate
Ideapad Z580, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT640M@RM2299, 4GB, 750GB(5400rpm), W7HB, white
Ideapad Z580, i7-3612QM + Nvidia GT640M@RM2299, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), freeDOS, white
Z500, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT645M @RM2299, 4GB, 1TB, W8; backlit, 2 years warranty (4-cell)

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Apr 9 2013, 06:29 PM

At that price point, I normally suggest forumers to go for Asus K46CM (better spec with same i3 but GT635M), or Dell Inspiron 14z (same spec but better warranty service ).
Unless someone specifically ask for Toshiba
Sifu, the keyboard on U840 is killing my fingers (don't do unto others .... )

List down some possible sources of problem for your cq42 in your thread.

The title of this thread is "Buying a NEW laptop"
What is your budget? Preference, etc? (follow the format specified in the 1st post of this thread)

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Apr 10 2013, 12:59 PM

Video editing - You need powerful i7 quad core CPU. GPU is not that critical actually, unless you put 3D effects into your video. If video files you editing are big, more RAM is better (8G is sufficient, 16G if you are paranoid )
New tech?
Intel Haswell CPU is coming out in (end) 3Q13. Won't do much in terms of raw processing power, main benefit is expected on better battery performance (draw less electrical power).
Nvidia & AMD is doing their usual yearly GPU release (this could last a long time). No major change in underlying chip architecture for this generation, just tweaking in clock speed, etc.
screen resolution - No. Screen resolution is pretty standard. FHD is good for you. Go for good quality IPS screen, you will enjoy it (the Acer V3, eg.)

G55VW has more RAM slots, but the GPU is fixed, you canNOT change it. Wait or buy now? See above on CPU & GPU.

You may want to check out these:
www.illegear.com
Illegear RE-15, i5-3210M + Nvidia GTX660M + (1920x1080)@RM3299, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), FreeDOS [CPU Options: i5-3210M - i7-3840XM][/color]
Illegear RE-17, i5-3210M + Nvidia GTX660M + (1920x1080)@RM3499, 4GB, 500(5400rpm), FreeDOS [CPU Options: i5-3210M - i7-3840XM
fully custimisable (except GPU), can opt for very nice screen. If you go for 17", can fit in a SSD for OS and apps for better user experience, while keeping the HDD for storage of large video files.

You will not find any ultrabook in Malaysia (local set) that come with FreeDOS
W7? If you could find some old stocks. All spanking new ultrabook units now come with W8

HP
Envy4-1238TX, i5-3337U + AMD HD8750M@RM2099[Beats][1.75kg], 2GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W8

Price is RSP, negotiable.

Raymond, what's up with the M82A1? Any target you have in mind? Sensitive time in Malaysia now

Your mum don't need powerful spec. i3 will do fine. For the weight requirement, you need 14" ultrabook, but lots of ultrabook model don't have ODD
Most models come with 1 or 2 years warranty, but you can opt to extend longer if you want.
Dell has the best warranty support service in Malaysia currently.

Dell
Inspiron 14-3421, i3-3217U + Intel HD4000@RM1399[1.99kg], Win8SL, 2GB, 500GB(5400rpm), 4-cell
Inspiron 14z, i3-3227U + Intel HD4000@RM1899[1.87kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W8, *no VGA port, OD

HP
Envy4-1238TX, i5-3337U + AMD HD8750M@RM2099[Beats][1.75kg], 2GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W8
Pavilion Sleekbook 14-b051TU, i3-2367M + Intel HD3000@RM1499, 2GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W8

Lenovo
S400, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 24GB mSATA + 500GB(5400rpm)@RM1999[1.8kg]

Toshiba
Satellite U840-1009X, i3-3217U + AMD HD7550M + (32GB mSATA + 500GB HDD)@RM1899[1.7kg], 4GB, W8P; backlit keyboard

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Apr 12 2013, 04:39 PM

Ultrabook, i5-3317U or better, GT640M or better? Still can find within your budget. Add in full SSD? Nada
All ultrabook in Malaysia come with OS pre-installed. All ultrabook / laptop come with RAM pre-installed You can upgraded it if you want.

Acer
M5-481PTG-53316G52, i5-3317U + Nvidia GT640M + 20GB mSATA + 500GB HDD@RM2999, 10-point touch, W8

HP
Envy4-1238TX, i5-3337U + AMD HD8750M@RM2099[Beats][1.75kg], 2GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W8
Envy4-1204TX, i5-3337U + AMD HD8750M + 32GB mSATA +500GB(5400rpm)@RM2399[Beats][1.75kg], 2GB, W8

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Apr 12 2013, 04:47 PM

You only need i3 CPU, and Intel HD4000 IGPU.

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

HP
Pavilion Sleekbook 14-b051TU, i3-2367M + Intel HD3000@RM1499, 2GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W8

Lenovo
G480, i3-2348M + Intel HD3000@RM1299, 2GB, 500GB (5400rpm), FreeDOS; W8@RM1499
G480, i5-3230M + Intel HD4000@RM1499, 2GB, 500GB (5400rpm), FreeDOS

Prices are RSP, negotiable a bit.

Slight gaming, as in FB game, flash game? If yes, Intel HD4000 can handle them.
Vaio is not cheap Those that come with discrete GPU is out of your budget.

Vaio SVE14133CV, i3-3210M + Intel HD4000@RM1999[2.4kg], 2GB, 500GB, W8; colors: pink/white, Vaio backpack
Vaio SVE14137CV, i5-3230M + AMD HD7650M@RM2399[2.4kg], 4GB, 750GB, W8; colors: pink/white/black, Vaio backpack
Vaio SVS13135CV, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT640M LE@RM3199[1.72kg], 4GB, 1TB, W8; colors: white/black; Vaio carrying case

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Apr 12 2013, 05:08 PM

Do you mean the Y500?
Check out the Y500 thread here. Lots of owners has done the upgrade of HDD to SSD, nobody even encounter the "warranty void if broken" seal at the HDD bays.

Acer
V3-571G-736b8G1T, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT730M(DDR3) + (1920x1080 IPS) @RM2899[2.6kg], 8GB, 1TB, W8
Are you talking about this Acer?
1. The re-seller charge higher than RSP.
2. This V3 has a very nice IPS screen.
3. The Y500 has a more powerful GPU than the V3.

SSD, just like other storage, has different prices for different capacity. 128G ~ RM300++, 256G ~ RM600++, depend on brands.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Apr 14 2013, 10:54 PM

Well, if that reseller don't want to help you, bring your business somewhere else
Anyway, if you intend to DIY, it is very easy to access the HDD bay of Y500

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
Z480, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT640M@RM1999, 4GB, 1TB(5400rpm) W8, colors: grey/red/blue
Z400, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT740M@RM2099, 4GB, 1TB, W8; 2 years warranty (not easy to do clean)

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

"not easy to clean" mean should you ever need to clean the dust off the fan and heat sink area of the Z400, it is not easy to get access to those area Same thing if you want to increase RAM or change HDD.

On paper, the GT740M in Z400 is slightly better than the GT645M in A45VS. But personally, I don't think gaming on Z400 is a good idea

Asus Malaysia, however, has iffy reputation in terms of warranty support service.

Hit on any "targets" during the fair (not IT one)

Vivotab Smart WiFi ME400C, Z2760 + 64GB + (1366x768; touch)@RM1799[580g], 2GB, 1 year
Vivotab Smart WiFi + LTE ME400CL, Z2760 + 64GB + (1366x768; touch)@RM1799[580g], 2GB, LTE, 1 year
Vivotab RT TF600T, Nvidia Tegra 3 + 32GB + (1366x768; touch)@RM2199[0.525kg w/o dock], 2GB, WRT, 1 year

Vivotab Smart come with W8. With Intel Atom. Has larger storage. Do NOT has MS Office.

Vivotab RT come with WinRT. With Tegra 3. Has smaller storage. Has a free full copy of MS OfficeRT (come with Word, Excel, Powerpoint, OneNote) (but somehow I feel it is reflected in the price ). But canNOT install other apps that require windows desktop.

Both will satisfy your usage requirement