Notebook Price Watch
OUR
RECOMMENDATIONS:
BUSINESS NOTEBOOK
| Model
|
Specs
| Price |
Vendor |
| Core 2 Duo processor
(2.2GHz); 2GB RAM; 160GB HDD;
17-inch screen;
DVD writer drive; Nvidia Quadro NVS 320M graphics card; Windows Vista Business Edition | S$2,899 (US$2,134.40) |
Notebook.com |
| Why: |
If a large desktop replacement laptop is what you're after, the HP Compaq 8710p has an excellent 17-inch display, a powerful discrete graphics module, plenty of connectivity and a spacious keyboard.
|
| Wow factor: |
High-quality, large screen; graphics; full-sized keyboard and separate number pad; Windows Vista or Windows XP available; fingerprint sensor and SmartCard reader. |
| Peer pressure: |
Not all businesses need a powerful setup with premium support. For the small and medium enterprise, the Dell Vostro 1400 offers enough power and features for the rank and file at a budget price. Best of all, the system can be shipped with either Vista or XP and comes with minimal bloatware.
A premium notebook for the business traveler who values security and hardiness. The ThinkPad X61s also provides excellent dual-core performance in a lightweight, compact package that's still comfortable to use.
You can check out more options in our Top 5 business portables chart. |
GAMING NOTEBOOK
| Model
|
Specs
|
Price |
Vendor |
| Core 2 Duo processor (2.2GHz); 2GB RAM; 160GB HDD; 14.1-inch screen; Nvidia GeForce 8600M GS graphics card; DVD writer drive; Windows Vista Home Premium Edition |
S$1,899 (US$1,398.14) |
PA Mart |
| Why: |
Possibly the only 14.1-inch machine to hold the powerful Nvidia GeForce 8600M GS graphics card, the JoyBook S41 offers fantastic performance for a portable unit. If only it had dedicated multimedia buttons and better internal speakers.
|
| Wow factor: |
Integrated Webcam; powerful graphics performance; inexpensive. |
| Peer pressure: |
Designed in collaboration with luxury car maker BMW, the Acer Aspire 5920G has a look you will either love or hate. However, it is possibly the most powerful gaming laptop to pass through our Labs. Based on the Santa Rosa platform coupled with the high-end Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT, it managed to squeeze out an impressive 3,288 on our 3DMark06 gaming benchmark. Oh, and did we mention it's also DirectX 10-compatible?
When it comes to gaming, the latest XPS M1730 from Dell seems to be a shoo-in for king of the hill. After all, with a blazing Intel Core 2 Extreme processor and two high-end Nvidia GeForce 8700M graphics card under the hood, it should cut through most games like a hot knife. Starting at S$3,899 (US$2,870.65) for the base configuration, it has options for a Blu-ray drive as well as 64GB SSD storage device.
You can check out more options in our Top 5 gaming portables chart. |
BUDGET NOTEBOOK
| Model |
Specs |
Price |
Vendor |
|
Pentium Dual Core processor (1.6GHz);
1GB RAM; 120GB HDD; 15.4-inch screen; integrated graphics
card; Windows Vista Home Basic Edition | S$1,097.82 (US$808.27) (inclusive of tax and delivery) |
Dell online store |
| Why: |
Taking consumer complaints to heart, Dell updates its mainstream 15-inch laptop with the Inspiron 1525. It's thinner, lighter, and less expensive than its predecessor. |
| Wow factor: |
Slimmed-down design; low starting price; high-end extras are available, including HDMI and touch-sensitive media control buttons. |
| Peer pressure: |
The Aspire 2920 should suit most people who are on a budget and like to stay portable, but who still need a bit of grunt. In fact, it may be one of the cheapest 12.1-inch portables in the market. If it had an HDMI port, it'd almost be the perfect solution.
Possibly the cheapest laptop in the market, the Eee PC was quickly sold out when first launched in Singapore. Despite its low cost, this petite machine has more than enough horsepower for emails and Internet surfing. More colors will soon be available to complement the current black-and-white units.
You can check out more options in our Top 5 budget portables chart.
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