Budget 15.6" Notebook

You can buy a 15.6" Compaq Presario CQ61-314TU notebook for the price of a netbook or cheaper at $491 in Australia.

Specifications

1. Intel Celeron Dual Core T3000 1.8GHz 800MHz FSB 1MB L2 CPU
   
2. 15.6" LCD 1366 x 768
3. Intel GMA 4500MHD
   
4. 2GB RAM
   
5. 250GB 5400rpm HDD
6. 802.11b/g WLAN
   
7. Webcam
8. Lightscribe 8x Super Multi DVD+/-RW DL
9. Windows 7 Home Premium
10. 1 year warranty
    

Drivers

1. Windows 7 (32-bit)
   
2. Windows 7 (64-bit)

Installing Windows 7 Beta on Lenovo Z61t

The Windows Experience Index is 3.2 on Lenovo Z61t. The only score which is lower than Lenovo IdeaPad S10 is the primary hard disk since it is running at 4200rpm in Z61t as compared to 5400rpm in S10.

But, I'm surprised by the differences in the scores for the graphics and gaming graphics since both have the same graphics chipset and same amount of video memory.

Best Value Intel Pentium Dual-Core Notebook in Australia

Acer Aspire AS5720Z-1A1G -A$591 with GST

1. Intel Pentium Dual-Core T2310 (1.46GHz), 533MHz
2. 1GB DDR2 667MHz RAM
   
3. 120GB 5400rpm SATA HDD
4. 15.4" 1280x800 Widescreen XGA
5. Intel GMA X3100 (up to 384MB shared video memory)
6. Wireless 802.11 b/g
   
7. DVD SuperMulti Double/Dual Layer Drive
   
8. Windows Vista Home Premium
   

Best Value Budget Notebook

Acer Aspire 4315 (RM 1599)

1. Intel Celeron M 2.0GHz, 1MB L2 cache, 533MHz FSB
   
2. 512MB RAM
   
3. 80GB HDD
4. DVD burner
   
5. 14.1" WXGA TFT
   
6. 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
   
7. webcam
8. 3 x USB 2.0
9. Intel 945GM 128MB
10. 56k modem & LAN
11. card reader
    
12. 2.4kg
13. carry case
14. 1 year international warranty
15. Linux/DOS but you can get Windows XP Home for RM 289
    

Drivers

1. Windows XP
2. Windows Vista
   

Best Value UMPC/Notebook Available Now

Model	Asus Eee PC 900	Twinhead Twinmate E10
Display	8.9" 1024x600	10.2" 1024x600
CPU & Chipset	Intel Celeron M ULV 353 900MHz	AMD Geode LX-800 500MHz
OS	Win XP	Win XP
Storage	4GB + 8GB SSD	60GB HDD
USB ports	3	2
WLAN	802.11b/g	802.11b/g
RAM	1GB	512MB
Battery	5800mAh	1600mAh
Webcam	1.3MP	-
Others	Ethernet, card reader, VGA out, 225 x 170 x 20-33.8 (mm) 0.99kg 1 year local warranty	PC card slot, Ethernet, 4-in-1 card reader, VGA out, 250 x 188 x 36 (mm), 1.2kg, 3 years local & 1 year international warranty
Price	US$550	RM1738

Best Value Intel Pentium Dual-Core Notebook in Singapore

Compaq Presario C744TU - S$809 with GST

1. Intel Pentium Dual-Core T2330 (1.6GHz)
   
2. 2GB RAM
3. 160GB HDD
4. 15.4" TFT Display
5. Intel GMA X3100
   
6. Intel Pro/Wireless 3945 802.11 a/b/g
   
7. DVDRW Super Multi
8. Windows Vista Home Basic

Drivers

1. XP (incomplete)
   
2. Vista 32-bit
3. Vista 64-bit

Acer Extensa 4620Z 3A1G16Mi

This budget laptop has the following configuration:

1. Intel Pentium dual-core processor T2370 (1.73GHz, 533MHz FSB, 1MB L2 cache)
2. 14.1" WXGA LCD
3. Up to 252 MB (Vista) or 384MB (XP) Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
4. 1GB DDR2 (1 slot free)
   
5. 160GB HDD
6. DVD-Super Multi DL
7. 802.11b/g Broadcom WLAN

It comes pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium. Since it does not come with any recovery DVDs, I have to create the two recovery DVDs with Acer eRecovery using factory default. After completion, I tested them by restoring Windows Vista. It ran successfully but on reboot after recovery, the screen went blank. In the end, I have no choice but to install Windows XP Home Edition which is more stable. The XP drivers are available online and you can install in this order - audio, chipset, VGA, wireless, LAN, modem & card reader.
You can also install Launch Manager 2.0.091 from Acer XP empowering technology & utilities. The other downloads are so slow so I install older versions from the CD of my Acer TravelMate 2420 and the following works fine:

1. Acer Empowering Technology framework
   
2. Acer eSettings Management 1.2.14.27
3. Acer ePower Management 1.6.8.280
4. Acer eDataSecurity Management 1.00.21
   
5. Acer eLock Management 1.7.9.21
   
6. Acer ePerformance Management 1.0.10.21
   
7. Acer ePresentation Management

To watch DVD, you can install the free AVS DVD player 2.4. To create CDs/DVDs, you can install Nero Express Essentials 7.9.6.4.

Best Value Intel Core Duo Notebook in Australia

Toshiba Satellite A200/M01 - A$991 with GST

1. Intel Core Duo T2350 (1.86GHz), 2MB L2
2. 512MB DDR2 667MHz RAM x 2
3. 80GB 5400rpm SATA HDD
4. 15.4" 1280x800 Widescreen XGA
5. Intel 802.11 b/g
6. DVD SuperMulti Double/Dual Layer Drive
7. Windows Vista Home Basic

Best Value Intel Pentium Dual-Core Notebook in Australia

Toshiba Satellite M200 (PSMC0A-02G00M) - A$839 with GST

1. Intel Pentium Dual-Core T2130 (1.86GHz), 1MB L2, 533MHz
2. 512MB DDR2 667MHz RAM with 1 free slot
   
3. 120GB 5400rpm SATA HDD
4. 14.1" 1280x800 Widescreen XGA
5. Intel GMA 943GML (up to 64MB shared video memory)
6. Atheros 802.11 b/g
   
7. DVD SuperMulti Double/Dual Layer Drive
   
8. Windows Vista Home Basic

Drivers

1. Vista 32-bit

Best Value Intel Pentium Dual-Core Notebook in Singapore

Compaq Presario V3636TU - S$1,068.93 with GST

1. Intel Pentium Dual-Core T2310 (1.46GHz), 1MB L2, 533MHz (Support Windows Vista 64-bit)
   
2. 512MB RAM
3. 120GB HDD
4. 14.1" TFT Display
5. Intel GMA 965GM
6. Broadcom 802.11 b/g
   
7. DVDRW Super Multi
8. Windows Vista Home Basic

Drivers

1. XP
   
2. Vista 32-bit
3. Vista 64-bit