xp : compatible use for any old version of software
vista: might have several issue of compatibility for old software.
it's depend on what software you going to work on.
but nowadays, all notebooks come with vista. you might have trouble to find the driver if you intend to switch to xp.

the sz6 better performance.
and yea, im glad they still have hybrid system on the notebook. dual graphic and switch-able.

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Added on August 7, 2007, 4:41 amnot necessary to update bios. if you have no problem arise, imho, better stay with the default bios..just my idea.

This post has been edited by Miyabi: Aug 7 2007, 04:43 AM

initial.craig >
acer: (aspire 4520)amd + nvidia 7000m, (aspire 5583)c2d + go7300 or (aspire 4710g)c2d + ati hd2300
compaq presario v3417: amd + go6150
asus x51r : core duo + ati x300
toshiba a100: core duo + radeon xpress200m

This post has been edited by Miyabi: Aug 8 2007, 11:51 AM

if for that usage, should be fine with just using acer. in fact, it is the most affordable class of notebook that everyone can afford.
i have been using acer notebook for 2 years and till now it's still rocks!
if you know how to take care of your notebook, your notebook will have longer lifespan aside from factroy defect which is hard to detect and occurs to any notebook manufacturer.

i'll suggest your vaio tz (1.1kg), and dont get shock about its price haha!
ninja edit: i just realize you need the os to be xp home..nowadays, all provide with vista. hardly find the xp.

*pic credits to Outrigger from Notebook Review

range price : 7k ~ 10k

This post has been edited by Miyabi: Aug 11 2007, 08:18 AM

if weight is what he concern most, try to find notebook with 14.1" lcd screen. there's tons out there.

im lazy. all price range below 3k.

acer: (aspire 4520)amd + nvidia 7000m, (aspire 5583)c2d + go7300 or (aspire 4710g)c2d + ati hd2300
compaq presario v3417: amd + go6150
asus x51r : core duo + ati x300
toshiba a100: core duo + radeon xpress200m

yes, the RAM can be upgraded. if you dont mind about lcd quality, go for dell.

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Added on September 3, 2007, 4:26 amjust my opinion, for gaming, i would say nvidia delivers better than ati, while ati delivers better on image quality. you decide.
both machine you mention is ready enough/capable to handle those game (battlefield 2).

i dont have that acer and toshiba. you can take a peek at Acer Gemstone thread, and ask them (the user) about heat and stuff, so you wont make a mistake buying either of the machines you mention.

from the specs i have read on the net, it's said that toshiba come with intel turbo memory 1 gb. if it exist, i'll say take the toshiba. i have post somewhere about intel turbo memory, bet you can google it though to know the advantages.

edit: here, i add the link for your own reading: http://www.intel.com/design/flash/nand/turbomemory/index.htm

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Added on September 3, 2007, 4:42 amfrom the list (top means high performance):
1. c2d 1.66 (T5500)
2. core duo 1.86 (T2350)
3. AMD Turion X2 TL56 1.8 (TL56 - Trinidad)

This post has been edited by Miyabi: Sep 3 2007, 04:42 AM

price = worth.
processor = fast enough for a student/working person/home user/etc

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Added on September 18, 2007, 12:15 amother than g1, acer aspire with nvidia 8600gt


This post has been edited by Miyabi: Sep 18 2007, 12:15 AM

T5450 use 667mhz data bus speed. it's new and lower end intel chip for santa rosa platform along with another chip (T5250 - 1.5GHz, 667MHz FSB, 2M L2 cache)
not really much different, maybe slightly better performance of course for 800mhz.

yes my dear, it's new processor in the market. They (Intel) also will release the new Celeron processor just for Santa Rosa.
Santa Rosa - codename for Mobile Intel 965 Chipset.

what kind of speed for 1.66Ghz.. i also dont know to answer, it's faster than pentium 4 and celeron lol.

laptop isnt desktop. we do not rely hard/tough job on it. in my opinion, both(data speed and the processor speed) and the most important is the cache.

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Added on September 18, 2007, 1:22 amforgot to add, yes, the catalog/brochure is wrong. the brochure saying that able to get 800mhz with 965 chipset. this is true because the chipset able to hold up to max 800mhz, but the processor itself only have 667mhz data speed, while 945 chipset, 667mhz is the maximum data speed it can hold.

This post has been edited by Miyabi: Sep 18 2007, 01:30 AM

sz = smaller size, hybrid graphic technology, longer battery life(stamina mode), sleek ;P
fz = abit wide and heavy than sz, less expensive than sz, dedicated graphic

if you have the budget , get the sz. but the drawback of it is it's an old sz series currently. the new sz series already using santa rosa platform with hybrid gpu as always (x3100 and nvidia 8400gs(if im not mistaken) switchable)

HP and Toshiba..not so sure, i think HP more cheaper than Toshiba? i might wrong. sorry cant comment much ;P
hope you can decide well.

the laptop have 2 gpu. it use one in a time of course ;P
basically it have one switch where you can choose either speed mode or stamina mode.
speed mode will have the laptop use the dedicated gpu while stamina will make the laptop use the integrated gpu.

stamina = good on battery
speed = if you intend to do some graphic works/ gaming.

perhaps dell? try take a peek at their website. and cheap or expensive, all depend on your configuration.
others..i cant think any.

but in term of cheap, i think acer aspire 5920 is the best.

This post has been edited by Miyabi: Sep 19 2007, 12:13 AM

the high end graphics still goes to nvidia 7900 go series.
and to find the notebook in malaysia with this card is tough. the last one i heard was dell, offering the notebook with 7900 card, which is Inspiron 9400.

nowadays, you can get nvidia 8600gt only. there tons notebook with this card in malaysia, you know that too i assume. though, im not sure for the ati gpu.

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Added on September 28, 2007, 4:16 amacer, dell, asus, hp. you choose. i dont want to label which one best, it's all up to you to decide.

difference brand, same specs, difference price? because namewee wants it to be like that ;<


This post has been edited by Miyabi: Sep 28 2007, 04:20 AM

nowadays waranty wont void (for all brand out there) if you just do upgrading the ram.

ipporek: depend. some maker control their product's price. eg: sony.

daytonatkf: you can try hp/compaq, dell. you can opt for acer too, but the build quality.. isnt really solid.

Downcast: any model from the following maker: asus, toshiba, fujitsu, hp/compaq. of course the one with integrated gpu will do fine. theres alot choice out there, cant really give you the only specific notebook.

This post has been edited by Miyabi: Oct 16 2007, 03:43 AM

with that kind budget + with restriction of no dell/acer/benq..no laptop for that specs and with the budget. unless it's 2nd hand notebook.

for best performance, usually it's heavier and so-so battery life.
light notebook -> the highest gpu setting is nvidia 8400m.

try push up the budget somewhere (4.5k ~ 6k).. maybe you can opt for toshiba/vaio/lenovo/asus/hp..

yeah, apple mbp is not bad choice too. recommended.


This post has been edited by Miyabi: Oct 18 2007, 01:15 AM

cant really comment much since i dont own them.. but i have seen and try those at lenovo booth before. i'll say, not bad. the build quality is satisfied.
perhaps, you can hop in IBM thread here.

or just direct message forumer name, V3000.

the Intel GMA X3100 beat that nvidia , so it's not the best for now