Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by Thibs

Budget Laptop

Thibs — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 23:38:07 +0800

Hi.

I'm thinking of getting a laptop. Asking around, I found that most of my mates recommended ASUS.

So, I read up some ASUS guidebooks and found that X45U - VX024 fits the my budget (RM1000 - RM1300).

X45U - VX024 Specs:
2nd Generation AMD® Brazos E2-1800 Processor (Dual-Core, 1.7GHz, 1M cache)
No Operating System (Will this be a problem?)
14” HD (1366 x 768) LED backlit
Radeon™ HD 6320 graphics with HDMI output
2GB DDR3 RAM
500GB SATA HDD
6 Cell Battery 4400 mAh

I would use the laptop for:
- Document editing (Microsoft Office)
- Watching Movies
- Store lots of pictures (Amateur DSLR Photographer)
- Use it for presentations (sometimes 4 hours long)

I would like to hear you guys' options on this laptop.
If there are any better options please do tell. I'm not limiting my options to ASUS only. (Prefer 14" though)

Thank you.

Galaxy Grand (Urgent)

Thibs — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 01:46:51 +0800

Hi there, so I'm planning to buy a phone for my mum cause I'm a good son and she has been using a Nokia 1100 for a good 10 years.

She a teacher and she loves taking notes of everything, literally everything. So I opted to look through Samsung and found Samsung Galaxy Grand. The thing that drew me to it is the Stylus Pen together with the S Note which would be very handy. With her deteriorating eye sights, the 5.0" screen would be helpful though I realize that it not full HD or HD ready (It doesn't matter really, cause she isn't going be watching High Def videos). The 8MP and Full HD recording is a plus. Spec wise, it is just average with a mid-lasting battery power. All in all, I think it would suit a below average and new smartphone users.

Well, the point is, even though this smartphones seems to fit perfectly into my budget and spec wise pretty okay. I would like some other smartphone suggestions with a max limit budget of 1.3k. If there are any smartphones that beats the shit out of this phone, please post them.

And those that have played with the Galaxy Grand, please post your mini-review on it.

And thank a bunch. I'm going price surveying tomorrow (27/4/13)... Hmmm.. it's actually today.

[WTA] LRT & Monorail Route Questions

Thibs — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 21:33:50 +0800

I'll try to be as specific as possible so you guys can help me out . Bear in mind that it is my first time travelling via LRT.

I am planning to go to Lowyat Mall . I'm going to start my journey from Taman Jaya (Kelana Jaya LRT). I have two choices (I think).

One: Route from Taman Jaya -> KL Sentral -> KL Sentral Monorail -> Imbi / Bukit Bintang
Two: Route from Taman Jaya -> Dang Wangi -> Bukit Nanas -> Imbi / Bukit Bintang

Is KL Sentral and KL Sentral Monorail the same place or must I walk a bit to reach KL Sentral Monorail? (Based on First Route)
Is Dang Wangi and Bukit Nanas connecting stations near each other or I have to walk some distance? (Based on Second Route)
Should I stop at Imbi or Bukit Bintang? I'm not sure where to stop cause I don't know which is nearer to Lowyat Mall. (ANSWERED)
Important: Let say I reach Imbi / Bukit Bintang, how should I get to Lowyat Mall. (Taxi or Walking?) (ANSWERED)

If there is any better route, please suggest me. Thank you. I'll be online till 2am tonight, so if you guys need more information or anything, just ask. I'll reply as soon as possible.

Thanks a bunch.

Rig Suggestion.

Thibs — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 20:46:53 +0800

I'm building another HTPC. I would like few suggestions from you guys.

Processor : (For multi-tasking)
Motherboard: (With Wi-Fi and able to include a graphics card and sound card)
RAM :
HDD : (Prefer at least 1Tb)
VGA : (Atleast a HD7850, I think)
Soundcard :
Chassis : (Max height: 400mm; Similar height to Bitfenix Prodigy)
Optical Drive:
PSU :

I think with this smaller chassis, it would be a M-ATX mobo.
I'm would be using this rig to play FHD movies and gaming at mid-high settings.
Budget max: RM2,500.00 (Would hope to be around RM2200.00)

[WTA] Wireless Keyboard ...

Thibs — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 20:53:59 +0800

I'm planning to buy a wireless keyboard with a touchpad. I hope to get this (Rapoo 2900 Slim Wireless Keyboard with Touchpad with dock), so does anyone know where I can find this? Preferably in Lowyat or somewhere near Wangsa Maju (cause planning to go to APES.My soon).

I'm not limiting my option to this Rapoo. If there are any other wireless keyboard with touchpad available, I'll consider.

P.S. I hope this is the right place to ask.

Reviving a Dead Rig

Thibs — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 22:06:34 +0800

Was cleaning up and I was thinking of doing something with my 06' dead rig instead of throwing it away. I was hoping to learn how to overclock with this rig so suggestion me a cheaper way to revive this rig as well as making it a good rig to learn how to overclock.

Currently this are the parts of the rig that I have left:

Processor : Intel® Pentium® D Processor 820 2.8 Ghz (800 Mhz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache)
Motherboard: Intel® Desktop Board DG965RY
RAM : 2 x Kingston DDR2
HDD : None (Please suggest)
VGA : None (Please suggest if I need it)
Chassis : Some old case
Optical Drive: Samsung DVD writer
PSU : Master Cooler 328W power supply
AMC : None (Please suggest if I need it)

Budget: Very strict. (Less than RM600) Quite little but slightly overbudget no problem.

P.S. If need picture of the old internal build, please say so. I'll post them.

Thanks in advance.

Best 2.1 Speakers

Thibs — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 23:05:47 +0800

Hi guys, I'm in need of help with getting 2.1 speakers for my HTPC.

I went around finding for speakers with a budget of RM400 in mind.
I found these: Edifier 3300SF, Edifier C3 and Armageddon A7 (SonicGear).

While the Armageddon A7 seem to produce the best bass and "sound"; I have heard rumors that they don't last long. So, I went to check our Edifier and the 3300SF and C3 caught my I. Both sounded great but C3 looked beasty.

Please help me pick the best amongst these or if there is any other better 2.1 speakers out there (< RM400) please post them as well. I'll check them out asap.

HTPC CPU Build

Thibs — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 02:08:47 +0800

Hi guys, I need some help (suggestions) on this custom rig I'm building with a budget value of (2k to 2.5k)

Bare in mind that I'm trying to save on cash.

For starters, I have this setup.

1. Bitfenix Prodigy Black (Permanent, already bought)
2. Intel Core i5 3570K
3. ASRock Z77E-ITX
4. 2 x Gskill 4GB Value RAM
5. Kingston HyperX 120GB SSD
6. WD Blue 500GB HDD
7. LiteON DVDrw
8. Enermax NAXN550 Watt

I'm going to use this HTPC primarily for viewing High Definition movies and sometimes gaming (Battlefield, FIFA, Dirt).
I would like to play at High Details but Mid or Low details are not a problem.

I'm going to purchase this rig on the 28th January 2013.

Some of the doubts I have are:

1. Should I get i3 core + graphics card? or get only the i5.
2. Do I need cooling? (If yes, is normal fan cooling enough or water cooling)
3. Too much RAM? 4GB or 8GB?
4. Kingston HyperX, I heard it is one of the most reliable SSDs. I'm opting it as primary hard drive to speed up boot time.
5. Any idea on how much a BluRay Reader cost? Is it worth it to have it now?

I have more questions in mind but I'll save them for later.

Please help me with this. Thank you very much.

P.S. Anyone with a better setup (within the budget), please post them too