Need recommendations.
1st priority:
Durability especially the casing and hinges (plan to use it for around 4 years without significant problem needing to go workshop for a long time)

2nd priority:
Specs at least 2GB RAM, S-Video port & S-VGA port, a good soundcard (noneed good speaker because will be using earphone most of the time).

3rd priority:
Budget around 3K

Last priority:
Any brand except BenQ, MSI and Asus

Main usage:
Major word editing, and e-book reading (prefer around 13"-14" screen size)

Other usage:
For mobile use of listening to music or watch movie

Please provide link if there is any ...

Thanks.

bmd .... recomend me lo ....

thanks bmd. maybe you have got a point in buying low end NB, if solely considering the durability + low end specs, which one would you recommend?

I got an eye for Dell Vostro series, seemed solid enough from first view, dono if it is really that good. Beside that, I also considering the Fujitsu (Lifebook series .. less than 2k for 2XXX processor) and Toshiba low end series. Acer seemed fragile ... =(

so, vostro it is ... hmmm, wonder if they would allow me to add that s-video port on top of the existing s-vga port. thinking of porting my NB to TV to watch the RMVBs... hehehe Shall wait for promotion ...

I just checked with the fujitsu website, the model they offer is having compatibility issue with the X-Fi Notebook card I plan to plug into my NB. So, off it goes from my list.

Why I feel bad about Acer ... cause my bro is owning one ... which got out from kilang few months ago for spoilt hinges. kakaka.

1 week before waranty end (damn lucky for him), so FOC masuk hospital, come out after 3 weeks ... so now he is like keep the NB open forever on his table ...

This post has been edited by leomix: Jul 29 2008, 07:02 PM

bmd, i got this deal from Dell online ... do you think it is a worth deal?

Dell Vostro 1200 Laptop
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T5670 with Standard Palmrest & No Camera
1.8 GHz, 2MB Cache, 800 MHz FSB
- 12.1 inch WXGA (1280 x 800 screen resolution) with TrueLife (This one add in)
- 4GB ( 2 X 2048MB ) 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (This one add in)
- 160GB SATA Hard Drive (This one add in)
- Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Combination Drive with dual layer write capabilities (This one add in)
- Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
- Intel® 4965AGN Wireless-N Mini-Card (This one add in)
- Bluetooth Module (This one add in)
- 1 Yr Next Business Day Onsite Service
- 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
- Microsoft® Works 9.0 (Does Not Include Microsoft® Office 2003/2007 Software)
- 1 ExpressCard Slot, (DOES NOT SUPPORT PCMCIA CARDS)
- 3-in-1 media card reader (y 3 oni? I oso dono. maybe typing mistake.)
- Power Cord (250V) UK
- Integrated Fast Ethernet 10/100/1000
- Internal 56K Modem
- RJ-11 Modem cable (AP)

Price: RM2885

Thanks.

This post has been edited by leomix: Aug 2 2008, 04:18 PM

wat i don't like about turion is it gets hot easily ... i can feel the heat even with the most expensive cooling pad on.

k ... shall tryout there ... but frm the flyers got from the fair, they do not give on-site upgrade. means you have to take it as it is ...

note the ram is dual-channel sdram, i am not really sure what it means, but the price if different if there is no "dual-channel" word there with similar size. u know the diff?

before all the add-on, it is rm2499. if you check dell site now, they are promoting the vostros ... all inspirons are gone ...

This post has been edited by leomix: Aug 2 2008, 09:02 PM

i think you are rite pal, the inspiron series comes back after few hours disappearing from dell website. i try customize using my previous config, the 14" inspiron actually worth better ... hav a look ...

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T5750
2.0 GHz, 2MB Cache, 667 MHz FSB
- Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic 32 bit SP1 Edition (English)
- 14.1” UltraSharp™ Widescreen WXGA+ (1440x900) Display with TrueLife™
- Ruby Red Color with Microsatin Finish and Integrated 2MP Webcam
- 4GB ( 2 X 2048MB ) 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
- 250GB SATA Hard Drive
- Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Combination Drive with dual layer write capabilities
- Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
- Dell 1505 Wireless-N Mini-Card
- Dell™ Wireless 355 Bluetooth Module
- 1-Year Limited Warranty (Next Business Day Service - parts & labour)
- 6-cell 56Whr Lithium Ion Primary Battery
- Dell Small Nylon Case
- 65W AC Adapter
- Microsoft® Works 9.0 (Does Not Include Microsoft® Office 2003/2007 Software)
- Integrated Stereo Sound 1
- 1 ExpressCard Slot, (DOES NOT SUPPORT PCMCIA CARDS)
- Dell™ Dock Software
- Mod Specs Info (Malaysia)
- 8-in-1 media card reader
- Integrated 10/100 Fast Ethernet
- Internal 56K Modem
- RJ-11 Modem cable (AP)
- Dell™ Travel Remote Control

for RM3013.00
* the ori price is RM2499 with 2gb ram and TFT without Ultrasharp TrueLife
y add to 4gb, within budget ma ... hahaha

This post has been edited by leomix: Aug 2 2008, 10:28 PM

ok bro, got ur point. i was thinking of upgrading the ram initially because there are only 2 slot available and with the 2gb, it means there will be no more extra slot for upgrade. Thus, the decision to upgrade it to 4 gb. But maybe you are right, I don't really need that much ram after all with such minial application need.

btw, if the centrino 2 and puma comes out by mid august, the core 2 duo will surely be pushed down rite? do u think i should wait for a couple more weeks before putting it off with the 2499 inspiron? i ain't tat rush anyway. i know the race for price in the computing world is neverending. but given that the 2 new processors will surely make a hard push to the price, it might be worth the short wait. wat do you think?

This post has been edited by leomix: Aug 3 2008, 12:05 AM

thanks bro ... will wait for dell ... still think dell is the best ... =)

Dell latest offer:

Vostro 1310
13" Screen with Anti Glare
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T7250
Vista Home Basic
Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
250GB HDD
2GB Ram
Other standard specs.

for RM 2999

Worth ma?
Considering it as Dell put it under "Incredible Value!" deal.

This post has been edited by leomix: Aug 7 2008, 08:46 PM

ha? no la ... RM2999 is after discount RM750.
i saw centrino2 d ... Lenovo! hahaha.
sony lappie banyak mahal ler ....

This post has been edited by leomix: Aug 7 2008, 09:21 PM

o ... now i got ur point ... paiseh ... dumb a bit.

tmr go pc fair look look ...

hi all, just visited pc fair just now, dell is offering this deal, pls hellp me see if it is a worth deal, thanks thanks =)

Dell Inspiron 1420
Intel Core 2 Duo T5850
FreeDos
3GB DDR2 RAM
14.1" WXGA True Life Display
2.0 mp Webcam
250GB HardDisk
Free Carrying Bag
Free Goodie Bag (Inside dono got what), maybe mousepad.
Other spec standard (ie: wireless, bluetooth, LAN, 6 cell batt, burner)
for .... RM2499

Then I saw Lenovo Ideapad Y410
Intel Core 2 Duo T5750
FreeDos
1GB DDR2 RAM
14.1" WXGA VibrantView Display
1.3 mp Webcam
160GB HardDisk
Dolby Home Theatre Sound System
Free Carrying Bag and RM50 petrol voucher
Other spec standard (ie: wireless, bluetooth, LAN, 6 cell batt, burner)
for RM2099
*very basic but cheap la ...

Dono if Lenovo is trustworthy for durability and performance concern and dono about their claim process, anyone help here.

Both with 1 year warranty, dell is on-site de

This post has been edited by leomix: Aug 9 2008, 10:57 AM

hua ... waited u since yesterday nite ... worry u wont online ... hahaha... u know la, u r the expert here.

hmm, according to the brochure, it is T5850, yea i know it is 667, but that's ok with me if the price is fine.

do u think it's worth the price with given specs?

o ... dont worry about the freeos ... i hav done the formatting 100 of times ... =)

true la ... but i hav another dell 1420 with vista home basic with me at home, it comes with all the driver CDs, should be mostly the same i guess. But I am ok with finding and installing driver thingy. Got a lousy VIA chipset PC at home last time, finding the drivers for this really headache! but beside this, other pc drivers are quite easily obtainable online.

trying to get the ruby red! wish me luck!

This post has been edited by leomix: Aug 9 2008, 11:56 AM

u can use the google language tool to translate the japanese sites to english. thought weird a bit, but can understand the general meaning easily. but too old model really hard to find d, that's y i always burn a cd with all the drivers for my pc when i install them. u dono when they are gonna terminate the model anyway.

hahaha ... wat a great fren ur fren hav ...

Done with all installation ... just wana inform all the Dell FreeDos buyers that Dell website provides the support for all the XP and Vista driver download. Just key in the service tag, or the model number under the technical support section. Then you just follow the link according to what you want to do. All drivers in one place! With a decent connection, you can finish everything within 2 hours. =)

I am a happy owner of Inspiron 1420!