Too bad you need something light. Otherwise, this will be good for you:
Lenovo
Ideapad G780, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT630M + (1600x900)@RM2299[3.0kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm); W7HP
HD+ resolution on a 17", won't strain eyes at all

14", < 2kg, but want ODD? Not much choice, actually.

Asus
K46CB-WX060H, i5-3337U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2199[2kg], 2GB, 750GB, W8, 4-cell, OD (has 2 RAM slots)

Price is RSP, negotiable.

Laptops generally are cheaper in Malaysia than in Singapore due to GST in Singapore.

14", freedos, i5, < RM3k?
Not much choice.

Dell
Inspiron 14-3421, i5-3337U + Nvidia GT625M@RM1649[1.99kg], Ubuntu, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), 6-cell; W8SL@RM1899
Inspiron 14R, i5-3337U + Nvidia GT625M@RM1699[2.33], 4GB, 750GB(5400rpm), Linux; W8SL@RM1999
Inspiron 14R, i5-3337U + Nvidia GT730M@RM2099[2.33kg], 4GB, 750GB(5400rpm), Linux; W8SL@RM2299
Vostro 5460, i5-3230M +Nvidia GT630M@RM1899[1.54kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), Ubuntu 12.04, 3 cell; W8SL@RM2099

MSI
CX41, i5-3210M + AMD HD7670M@RM1799, 2GB,750GB, freedoms

Lenovo
G480, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT635M@RM1699, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), FreeDOS

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

For Photoshop and Corel suites, your friend need CPU+GPU. If there isn't much 3D stuff, the CPU is really important.
If choosing from the list above, the G480 is the best combo.

But seriously, look at this instead:
Acer
V3-571G-736b8G1T, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT730M(DDR3) + (1920x1080 IPS) @RM2899[2.6kg], 8GB, 1TB, W8
For the money, this is the laptop with the best screen around. 15" FHD, IPS, i7 CPU, plus a mid range GPU. Great machine for Photoshop & Corel suites.

Someone could probably write a book explaining all the numbers behind the CPU and GPU
To make it as simple as possible:
You want i5, which is a CPU by Intel. Each year Intel launch new i5 model, new generation. The latest is Haswell (4th gen), i5-4xxx?. But it is very new and won't be the main lines for may be a few more months.
Currently most of laptop is i5-3xxx?, 3rd generation Ivy Bridge.
The M or U at the end of CPU model - M(obile), U(ltra Low Voltage). Mobile is more powerful but use more electricity, ULV is clocked lower, but more frugal on power consumption.
For your purpose, don't worry too much about the xxx in the 3xxx. (Will take too long to explain)

You want Nvidia / AMD GPU. Each year GPU brands launch new model. Currently Nvidia is at GT(X)7xxM, AMD is at HD8xxxM. But again, there are new and some laptop are still spec with GT(X)6xxM / HD7xxxM.
Generally, within a generation, the higher the xx, the more powerful the GPU, ie GT640M > GT625M.
Across generation, comparison is not so easy.
For your purpose, you may refer to this:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphi...List.844.0.html
Just take it that the higher the GPU appear on the list, the more powerful it is (actually there are more into it, but it will take too long to explain )

For your budget, there is no "sturdy" laptop
All laptop at this type of price range is fragile. 1m drop onto the floor, (unless you are extremely lucky) you pretty much can say goodbye to the laptop.
So just take TLC.

For your budget and among the models that Raymond listed, this is probably your best bet.
G480, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT635M@RM1899, 4GB, 1TB (5400rpm), W8, 2 yrs warranty
The CPU and GPU is good enough for your usage. Come with OS (you does not sound like someone who can deal with no OS (sorry if I sound patronising ) ). 2 year warranty, in this case cover Singapore, so you could get it service in Singapore if there is any issue. Negotiate hard, and you may get it < RM1.8k.

For your budget, stick with 14". 15" and 14", if same resolution (1366x768), you get the same image, just slightly bigger.

15R vs 15? Marketing, branding, slightly better spec, slightly better finishing ....

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Jul 14 2013, 08:45 PM

The GPU in the Y400 is overkill. The Acer V3 has a much better screen. If your friend is serious about photoshop / corel suite, then he / she will appreciate the big difference in screen.

It's your friend's choice anyway i5 or i7 ... You give the best advice you can, he / she is the one that have to make decision and live with it

Gaming laptop is expensive. With your budget, choices are limited.

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

Lenovo
Y500, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT750M(GDDR5) + (1920x1080)@RM3899, 8GB, 1TB, W8, red backlit, swappable GN37 exGPU & ODD, 120w+170w psu, 2 yrs

MSI
GX60-3AE, AMD A10-5750M + AMD XT HD7970 + (1920x1080; anti-glare)@RM4399 8GB, 750GB(7200rpm), W8 (GPU is great, but gaming performance may be capped by the A10)
GE60-2OE, i7-4700MQ + Nvidia GTX675M + (1920x1080; anti-glare)@RM4299,8GB, 750GB(7200rpm), W8, backlit keyboard

www.illegear.com
Illegear RE-15, i7-4700MQ + Nvidia GTX765M + (1920x1080;matte)@RM3599[Onkyo], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), FreeDOS [CPU Options: i7-4700MQ - i7-4900MQ]

And that's about it.
The Y500, with GT750M SLI, has the most powerful GPU setup for games that support SLI. It has its issue, you have to weight the pro and con and see if you could live with it.
The G55VW and RE-15 has better cooling. Anyway, please get proper external cooling solution (table fan, cooling pad ... ) if you game on laptop.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Jul 14 2013, 08:40 PM

Yup, not many cheap 17" in Malaysia, not popular at all Most potential buyers have the same opinion like you, with adapter, the whole thing weight close to 4kg

Another cheap 17" is this:
MSI
MSI CX70 [0ND-030MY], i7-3610QM + Nvidia GT640M + (1600x900)@RM2999[2.7kg], 4GB, 750GB(5400rpm), W7HP

Generally, for old uncle / aunty with not so good eye sight, who want laptop but don't need to bring laptop out of house, these are the models that are suitable (I'm not implying you are old, ok )

It's this type of irresponsible re-sellers that make normal consumers wary
It's more like bottom-barrel cellar-clearing stock

If you like it, tell the re-seller you will pay RM1.7k for it. And said something like "don't you dare to give me display unit"

If you go for MBA, you could install bootcamp and run windows OS. It's actually "officially supported by Apple"
http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/

1. The i7 in Z480 is 3rd gen i7 (Ivy Bridge) (not 3rd gen Intel CPU, that'd be in the 1970's ). Haswell is 4th gen i-core mobile CPU. (westmere (arrandale)/sandy bridge/ivy bridge/haswell)
2. Z480 really is an old model that has been in the market for > 1 year

If you absolutely need i7, it is actually the cheapest brand new laptop spec with i7 quad core mobile CPU that you can find in Malaysia.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Jul 16 2013, 01:42 PM

since you've done research, could you enlighten us any source materials that come in 4k video now or in foreseeable future? or even computer monitor or TV that support 4k video within reasonable price range?

I understand buyer want to be future proof. But this is getting ridiculous

Haswell, haswell. Guys, Haswell is not in most of the laptop brands in Malaysia yet.
Want Haswell, be patient and wait till 3Q13, ok?

The difference is in your highness 2nd post, your grace so considerately let everyone know that you only want to spend RM1k
But your holiness still need to enlighten us on what you mean on "light gaming", as commoner could not hope to grasp the insight in your infinite wisdom

Acer
Iconia W3-810, Z2760 + Intel HD +32GB SSD + (1280x800;touch)@RM1199[0.5kg w/o dock], 2GB W8, Microsoft Office Home & Student

Asus
X201E, Intel B847 + Intel HD@RM999, 2GB, 500GB, FreeDOS, 1 year

And if your highness in your omnipotent reach of power could still find some old "netbook" model:

Acer
Aspire AOD270, Atom N2800 + Intel GMA 3650@RM1099, W7HB, free Acer pouch, colors: aquamarine/carnival
Aspire AO756s, Celeron 877 + Intel HD@RM1149, 2GB, 500GB, W8
Aspire AO756, 1007 + Intel HD@RM1149, 4GB, 500GB, W8
Asus
Eee PC X101CH, Atom N2600 + Intel GMA3600@RM799, 2GB, 320GB(5400rpm); FreeDOS@RM799
Eee PC 1025C, Atom N2800 + Intel GMA3650@RM899, 2GB,320GB(5400rpm), colors: blue/red/black/white
Eee PC 1025CE, Atom N2800 + Intel GMA3650@RM949,2GB, 320GB(5400rpm), colors: blue/pink/purple
HP
Dm1-4210AU, AMD E1-1200 + AMD HD7310M@RM1399, 2GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7HP

Prices will crumple in the face of your eminence presence.

From your unworthy servant.


This post has been edited by nexus2238: Jul 17 2013, 09:51 AM

Clock for clock, you may see 2-5% improvement in performance (depends on which benchmark you read).
Lower power consumption, if everything remain the same, may also leads to better thermal profile for the laptop.
As TJ like to say:
"Buy if you need it now. Wait if you can."

Like Japanese, aren't you?
Engineering software normally need good CPU, and if your software involve some 3D rendering, you need good GPU (even if you don't game).

Fujitsu
LH772, i5-3210M + nVIdia GT640LE@RM3079 [ONKYO], W7HP, color: Black/White/Pink, NumPad
LH772, i7-3612QM + nVidia GT640LE@RM3369 [ONKYO], W7HP, color: Black/White/Pink NumPad

Toshiba
Satellite L40-AS109Xb/G/W, i5-3337U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2199[Onkyo], 4GB, 750GB, 3 years local warranty; colors: Blue/gold/white
Satellite P840-1004X, i5-3317U + Nvidia GT630M@RM2999[harman/kardon], 4GB, 750GB, OD, W8; backlit keyboard; 3 years local warranty
Satellite Pro L840-2010X, i5-3230M + AMD HD7670M@RM2499, 4GB, 750GB, W7P/W8P; 3 years local warranty; color:silver
Tecra-R940-2021X, i7-3540M + AMD HD7570M@RM4999[2.15kg], W7P/W8P, 4GB, 640GB (7200rpm), 3 years international (local onsite) warranty, Microsoft Office HOme & Business 2013; color:black
Satellite L50-A100X/XW, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT740M@RM2199[Onkyo], 4GB, 750GB, W8SL; 3 years local warranty; colors:silver/white
Satellite P50t-A102X, i7-3547U + Nvidia GT740M + (1366x768; touch)@RM3899[harman/kardon], 8GB, 1TB, W8SL; 3 years local warranty (1st year on-site); color: silver

Not many of the above are matte screen though

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Jul 17 2013, 10:04 AM

Nope, not high in any sense of the word.

But you need to appreciate why there "is" a recommended format. Without your almighty "price" indicator, nobody know how much you are willing to spend, and will not be able to recommend anything meaningful to you.
So by following some nice internet etiquette, you could save lots of hassle.
Btw, the most expensive 10/11" laptop / hybrid in Malaysia right now cost ~ RM6k. And no, I don't consider myself "rich", but thanks for the compliment.

I am living my life fine, thanks for your kind advice

And I find it amusing that you are being condescending in your reply to TJ. Lighten up and also pay attention to what you are doing, that really save life (supported by quite a few medical research).

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Jul 17 2013, 10:16 AM

I do know there are some source material in 4k format.
The issue is that for it to be a point of consideration in any buying decision, the hardware / software / material eco-system must thrive.

Right now, for all the mkv video format that you have, you don't have a proper big screen TV to show it. (sorry, I make an assumption that you haven't bought a 4k TV )

Unless your eyes is specially sensitive, for TV / display in the 42" or below, you will have a hard time telling HD source (720p) apart from FHD (1080p) source materials.

To fully appreciate 4k video, you really need big big screen. That's why you see most of the 4k TV demo set are from 60" and above.

So don't sweat it on 4k video support in small screen.

And to answer your question, Intel HD4000 (ivy bridge IGPU) can decode 4k video. The problem is that how to output? Apparently using current standard, we need 2 Display Port concurrently, and NO laptop / hybrid model has 2 Display Port, for you to connect and transmit 4k signal to any display that support 4k resolution.

As for Haswell IGPU (42/44/46/5000), no problem decoding 4k source file. Can shot that out through a single Display Port / HDMI to display/TV that support 4k resolution.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Jul 17 2013, 11:29 AM

News for you. 10" is really not the realm of cheap "netbook" anymore. In fact, the big netbook brand, Acer/Asus/HP/Lenovo is stopping netbook production 1 by 1.
There are LOTS of 10/11" or below hybrid / tablets / laptops in the market right now. This is a new playground, mobility being the king.
Brands are launching lots of models / configuration to see which form factor, and what price point work.
With W8 pushing touchscreen, you'll find lots of funny things.
Try to search for:
Lenovo Yoga, Lenovo Helix, Lenovo Twist, Dell XPS12, Asus Taichi, Samsung ATIV, Sony Viao SVD112, and these are the old model.
In fact, I'll say the "traditional laptop" form factor in 10" is in the minority right now.

13/14/15/17" is pretty much stable form factor (as of now)
Price is actually most "bunch up" among the 13", 17" in Malaysia. The rest could have a wide spread.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Jul 17 2013, 11:42 AM

For your usage pattern, CPU actually may not be the most prominent factor in terms of "performance".
When an user has lots of window open, not all windows opened are taking a large chunck of CPU processing time (CPU / software combo is pretty smart at figuring that out now).

You need lots of RAM. 8/16/32G, depends on your level of window-open and the number of RAM slots your laptop have (normally 2 slots, so you could probably put in 2x8G).

The 2nd factor of "lag" that user feels is HDD access. HDD is the slowest component in a laptop. Reading / writing files / data to / from HDD actually contribute the most "lag" feeling.
This is further compounded by the notorious windows swap file (so called virtual memory). If the RAM is insufficient (or sometime even when it is sufficient), OS will write some of data in RAM onto the HDD swap, and all this swapping to / from slow HDD make user feel even more "lag".

The solution?
a. Replace the HDD with SSD.
b. After a, (this is more extreme, only do it if you are absolutely sure that the laptop has sufficient RAM), go to control panel and turn off swap file.