If you are a varsity student going to NUS, NTU and SMU (this laptops on sale in SMU are different), here is the recommendations from me.
If you are the mobile warrior, where you move as you work with your laptop, the light and handy laptop will be the best choice for you. Look no further, cause Toshiba R500-E260 will the the choice. If you go for the looks too, Lifebook S6410U will be it.
| E6410U | R500-E260 |
| Faster Processor, 2Ghz | Power Saving CPU, 1.2GHz |
| 2 GB RAM | 1.5GB RAM |
| 13.3″ Display | 12.1″ Display |
| Better graphics chipset | Average Integrated Graphics |
| 2.08kg | 1.09kg |
Like scribbling your notes on the laptop, tablet PC is the only choice. No other choice, other than the Lifebook T4220U.
Feeling on a tight budget, TM6292 is for you. For less than 2,000, you can get a laptop so similar specification as other brand.
| T61 | E8410U |
| 2 GB RAM | 1 GB RAM |
| 160 GB HDD | 120 GB HDD |
| Intel Integrated Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce 8400M |
| 14.1″ Display | 15.4″ Display |
| 2.32kg | 2.45kg |
If you are going for the cool and stylish Apple, I suggest you halt the plan, because while waiting for the Mac OS X Leopard, the price of MacBooks in this offer is not attractive. (The prices of the laptop are most probably tentative prices as the official website has not been updated yet, so keep the finger crossed.)
*UPDATE - For the Macbooks and Macbook Pros, free upgrade for Mac OS X Leopard is available from the tender. they also come with Microsft Office 2004 and Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web Premium.
Apple Online Store offer the same Macbook Pro 15″ 2.2Ghz for only SGD$3106 while the price on NUS is SGD$3318. If you want a Mac desperately, go for the online store. However, if you need the Microsft Office and Adobe CS3, taking the tender is a reasonable one.
If you are thinking of a Macbook (not Pro), do consider the Macbook Pro 15″. For 0.14kg, you get to enjoy a faster processor, dedicated graphics chipset, double the amount of RAM and a larger screen. If you are unable to fork out the extra 900 bucks, settle for the Macbook.
And if you want to play games like Company of Heroes and Command and Conquer with decent graphics, only Lifebook E8410U has a decent GPU and not forgetting the Macbook Pros.
Hopefully the prices of Macbooks drop.
Prices of the new laptops may change these few days, so watch out.
