Hi looking for laptop with maximum budget of 5k with mininum requirements of:

Processor: Dual Core 2.4 ghz
Screen: 15 inch preferred but 17 is ok if need to accomodate display card
Display: Around the range of Ati 3650/nvidia 9600 (no nvidia 8600 pls!) Any extra funds should be put into here if all other requirements are met!
Weight: Below 4 kg
Memory: 3 GB
HDD: Not important will prob be around 250 GB anyways right?
Preferrable brands: Dell, HP, Toshiba (Asus if someone can convince me that the service is good including overseas)
Speakers: I dont care since i'm going to use external anyways. If there's option to add SB Audigy software would be nice though


From what i have looked around i probably will get something like Dell Studio 17 with some upgraded specs which totals to around 5k ringgit but i was hoping to find some alternatives to consider.

Thanks in advance!

This post has been edited by frenccw: Oct 5 2008, 05:40 PM

Hey thanks for the swift reply! I have considered it when i was browsing around the dell website but according to the list isn't quadro 160m way way below ati 3650 for dell studio 17? or even gefore 8600gt from the XPS m1530?

Plus after taking a closer look if i upgrade the processor to 2.4 ghz, and the dvd-rw (doesnt even include dvd burner with basic), and add quadro will add up rm 6150!!!! Can you compare it to the dell studio 17 and see wat do you think? I can customise it like this only for rm4650 not including the 500 rebate yet.

Processor:
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T8300(2.4GHz, 3MB Cache, 800 MHz FSB)
Operating System:
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium 32 bit SP1 Edition (English)
Display:
17 " Widescreen WXGA + WLED (1440x900) TFT Display with TrueLife™
Memory:
3GB (1X1GB+1X2GB) 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive:
320GB SATA Hard Drive
Optical Drive:
Internal 8X DVD + /-RW Combination Drive with dual layer write capabilities
Video Card:
256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650(Mobile Intel® 965PM Express Chipset)
Audio Solution:
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy ADVANCED HD Audio Software
Wireless Network Card:
Dell Wireless 1510 802.11n Half Mini-Card
Bluetooth Module:
Dell™ Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module

Wouldn't this be better? I don't know i might be missing out something. What do you think?


This post has been edited by frenccw: Oct 6 2008, 12:38 AM

Yeah the 17 inch is not my ideal size but portability isnt my main concern and i could use the bigger screen for my work or multimedia anyways so no real big deal.

Just another quick question though, you recommend me to upgrade my processor all the way but how worth it is it? I mean i know it will be a little faster when loading stuff but will it really help much when gaming, 3d rendering and those sort of stuff? spending another 500+ bucks isn't really in my best interest if it could be funded towards my future desktop in a few years time (planning very very ahead lol but anyways u get my point it saves a lot of money)

Also, what is your opinion on Bluray drive and extended 3 yrs warranty as upgrades? I always hear that extended warranty for laptop is always good because the parts are generally more expensive and also breaks down a bit more easily than desktop?

This post has been edited by frenccw: Oct 6 2008, 01:12 AM

Also, what is your opinion on Bluray drive and extended 3 yrs warranty as upgrades? I always hear that extended warranty for laptop is always good because the parts are generally more expensive and also breaks down a bit more easily than desktop? Edit: 2 yrs warranty i just checked for 300 bucks

Sorry about double posting this but it so happened when i was editing my previous post you already replied >.<

This post has been edited by frenccw: Oct 6 2008, 01:15 AM

Crap la after looking around it seems like the XPS m1530 is even achieving higher benchmarks than the dell studio 17 with similar specs and ati 3650. Almost 1000+ difference on 3d mark 06. They say 3d and games on the dell studio is quite bad. What do you think? I need to get the laptop latest by january-february. I hope the new xps line is out by then to make my decision easier.....

Well ill take your word for it. If im not wrong the last xps also came out around december...I guess my next concern is if studio xps will be too expensive ie. starting at 6k or something. Yeah its rare to get rm500 offer but as usual dell usually got offers here n there all year around although not as worth it as this one. But i rather spend a bit more if it means getting a much more satisfying laptop. I guess ill wait until jan to make a proper decision.

Just being curious, how do you actually upgrade a laptop? For ex. i'm sure ppl would like to upgrade their graphics card but i know you can just buy them off the shelves and plug it in due to compatibility issues/size.

Im surprised as a gamer you are still using your Inspiron as your gaming rig. How does it hold up to current games? (Not Crysis that's for the future) I not saying max details and highest resolution but playable without being ugly and losing too much of its charm. You know i've been bugging you a lot about video cards on laptops lol and for now it seems like im going for hp dv5 if the new line of xps does not come out here in time. Just wondering how my 9600gt card will hold with games like Diablo 3 just around the horizon...

Dont la sound until u so old.....i only one year younger leh so depressing. I just went lowyat to check out hp pavilion dv5 none of them seems to have a unit out on show so frustrating. Can't even see how it looks like

Since the year 2008 is almost ending, i think its time for me to post again. Half a yr ago i put up these criterias:

Budget: 6k (but around 5k is preffered)
Screen: 15 in preferred
Usage: Gaming and 3d rendering (architecture)
Brands: International brands such as Dell/HP but flexible if there are suitable models

Basically i need to get this laptop by latest mid-January. With PC Fair around the corner, i need some advice as to purchase the laptop there or hold up and see if Dell's Studio XPS line turns up by January. I've been eyeing HP Pavilion dv5 for quite some time now as it fits all categories (although hoping for a better graphic card) and retails at 5k.