if you are urgent to get a haswell laptop, the one only you can get is this:

Acer V5-473PG-54204G50, i5-4200 + Nvidia GT740M +(1366x768;touch)@RM2299, 4GB, 500GB,W8 *no OD

but seems to be overpriced your budget, though.

yes, have to agree that. Windows 8 on 1280x800 reso on my elitebook 6930p lacks of the multi-screen tasking feature.

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.

W8.1 support lower resolution, so that's the good news (actually it improve resolution support across the board)
The 2nd point actually still hold true. W8RT don't cut it. And without cheap OS like W7S, a full price W8 OEM simply cut the netbook razor thin margin to a level that laptop brands simply don't see any point producing it anymore.
By getting rid of the bottom part of the traditional laptop form factor (keyboard and stuff), brands are able to reduce cost, and that's why most of the sub-RM1k 10" are in tablet form now (like Acer Iconia), which tie nicely back with W8 push in touchscreen
I think later this year we may see full W8.1, spec with 22nm Atom (late 2013), 10", < RM1k (I'll buy 1 to play )

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Jul 17 2013, 11:40 AM

Hi Shifu,

Any suggestion for laptop below RM1500, for normal usage only, online, microsoft word, excel.

Thanks.

I supposed you are using AutoCAD, Solidwork in your study. AutoCAD need good CPU. Solidwork need good CPU & GPU. (And you need 64bit OS)
To have better experience running Solidwork, try to go for as good a GPU you can find within your budget.
Consider this:
Lenovo
G480, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT635M@RM1699, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), FreeDOS
Have seen it selling at RM15xx, very close to your budget. You could get cheap legal OS from your school.

For GPU power, Ivy bridge & Haswell IGPU scale with CPU (e.g. HD4000 in i5 run better than HD4000 in i3).

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Jul 17 2013, 12:08 PM

How about this? Inspiron 14r, I5 3317u, gt 730m, 6 cell, linux, 4gb ram, 500gb hdd, intel wireless, rm1699
http://www.dell.com/my/p/inspiron-14r-5421...spiron-14r-5421

This post has been edited by teddy90: Jul 17 2013, 12:49 PM

CPU - the mobile CPU in the G480 I listed earlier is more powerful than the ULV CPU in the 14R.
GPU - The GT730M in the 14R is better than the GT635M in the G480.

Buddy, RM1699 no W8, Ubuntu only

Ow, my mistake

Not many models with Haswell in the market now. If you want Haswell, you will see more choices in 3Q13.
Haswell will really improve running time on battery compare with Ivy Bridge, if brands put some minds into it (MacBook Air improve running time by 40-60% )

Go with 13" ultrabook for light weight and portable. If your light gaming are those FB flash game, Ivy Bridge HD4000 or Haswell HD42/44/46/5000 will have no problem.
Fast - make sure it is full SSD.

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

Asus
UX31A-R4005H, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 128GB SSD + (1920 x 1080)@RM3599[1.3kg], 4GB, W8

Dell
XPS13, i5-3337U + Intel HD4000 + 128GB SSD@RM3399[1.36kg], 4GB, W8, backlit
XPS13, i5-3337U + Intel HD4000 + 256GB SSD + (1920x1080)@RM4299[1.36kg], 8GB, W8, backlit

Lenovo
IdeaPad Yoga 13, i7-3537U + Intel HD4000 + 256GB SSD + (1600x900 IPS; touch)@RM3799[1.5kg], 4GB, W8, 2 years warranty

Wait for 2 more months, most models will be refreshed with Haswell. So wait if you are not in a hurry.
Prices are RSP, negotiable.

You may actually go to Machine, place advance order for MBA (understand delivery is in late July early Aug13), then run bootcamp to run Win OS (if you have a copy)

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Jul 17 2013, 12:57 PM

no problem. remember to negotiate with Dell by online chatting

Any other suggestion for Asus? And Lenovo or Toshiba.

Hey guys, can you all help me search some?

Price = around 2k-2.5k
Brand = Asus ,Lenovo, Dell, Acer, HP, Toshiba
Purpose = Uni purpose. (doing assignment). Slight gaming (Left 4 dead 2),dota 2,watching movie
Others (Must) = dvd rom,Screen 14", light and thin,touchscreen
Optional:SSD

thx

Yup, overpriced. I guess I'll have to settle without haswell. And I probably won't be getting an acer, due to rumours and bad experience. Though the bad experience was 100% my fault and despite that, my laptop lasted long enough for me to complete my degree.


Is it easy to replace HDD with SSD? Probably won’t do it anytime soon, but might in the future. I’m hoping I won’t be abusing my laptop as much as I did when I was studying.

Thanks for the tip, won’t be using it right now, but will definitely take it in the future

By the way, I’ve seen a couple of computer shops offering free RAM upgrades. My brother bought a Toshiba with 2gb ram, but they offered to upgrade it to 4gb on the spot. Why do shops do that and not just sell it with 4gb?

15.6 inch or above?
any brand
Play dota 2( highest settings) this is the only game i play so dont need the latest GPU i guess, photoshop/lightroom, able to multitask smoothly, watch movies, work, LIGHT WEIGHT

Budget: any. Not too overkill for my tasks of course. (2-3k enough ?)

This post has been edited by igmroey: Jul 17 2013, 02:22 PM

1. Preferred Brand - Any brand as good as prefer.
2. Budget - Around RM 1600-Rm2200
3. Usage - normal task and gaming
4. Preferred laptop/screen size - AROUND 14'' or 15''

Trying to get a decent laptop for university usage (In Software Engineering Field). Any recommendations. My preference is as follows:-

1. Preferred Brand - Any brand except Acer
2. Budget - Below RM 3000
3. Usage - Assignments, Entertainment (Music, Video and Light gamings), Surfing
4. Preferred laptop/screen size - Above 13' - 14'
5. Want a light weight option if there's one. I checked on Lenovo Y410p reviews, quite impressive but it's weight is quite a con. Would like to know if there's any better options with similar specs out there?

Thanks in advance

Y410p really is one of a kind. No peer in that price point
For your budget, light weight, you have to look at 14".

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

Dell
Vostro 5460, i5-3230M +Nvidia GT630M@RM1899[1.54kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), Ubuntu 12.04, 3 cell; W8SL@RM2099
Vostro 5460, i5-3337U + Nvidia GT630M + (32GB mSATA SSD + 500GB(5400rpm))@RM2199[1.54kg], 4GB, W8SL, 3 cell

HP
Envy4-1204TX, i5-3337U + AMD HD8750M + 32GB mSATA +500GB(5400rpm)@RM2399[Beats][1.75kg], 2GB, W8
Envy4-1238TX, i5-3337U + AMD HD8750M@RM2099[Beats][1.75kg], 2GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W8
Touchsmart 14-k028TX Sleekbook, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M + (1366x768;touch)@RM2799, 4GB, 500GB, W8, ext OD

Lenovo
Z400, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT740M@RM2099, 4GB, 1TB, W8; 2 years warranty

Toshiba
Satellite L40-AS109Xb/G/W, i5-3337U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2199[Onkyo], 4GB, 750GB, 3 years local warranty
Satellite U940-1001X, i5-3317U + Nvidia GT630M + (32GB mSATA + 640GB HDD)@RM2349[1.7kg], 4GB, W8SL, backlit keyboard, 3 years local warranty (1st year on-site)

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

For your budget, stick with 14".

Asus
A45VS-VX026H, i5-3210M + Nvidia GT645M@RM2199[2.4kg], 2GB, 500GB, W8
K46CB-WX060H, i5-3337U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2199[2kg], 2GB, 750GB, W8, 4-cell, OD

Dell
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
Vostro 5460, i5-3337U + Nvidia GT630M + (32GB mSATA SSD + 500GB(5400rpm))@RM2199[1.54kg], 4GB, W8SL, 3 cell

HP
Pavilion 14-e018/019/020TX, i5-3230M + AMD HD8670M@RM1999, 2GB, 500GB, W8
Envy4-1238TX, i5-3337U + AMD HD8750M@RM2099[Beats][1.75kg], 2GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W8

Lenovo
Z400, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT740M@RM2099, 4GB, 1TB, W8; 2 years warranty
Z480, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT640M@RM1999, 4GB, 1TB(5400rpm) W8
G480, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT635M@RM1699, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), FreeDOS
G480, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT635M@RM1899, 4GB, 1TB (5400rpm), W8, 2 yrs warranty

Toshiba
Satellite L40-AS109Xb/G/W, i5-3337U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2199[Onkyo], 4GB, 750GB, 3 years local warranty

Prices are RSP, negotiable.