Buying a Cheap Windows 8 Touchscreen Notebook Under RM2000
This is a true story. I helped my cousin-in-law to buy a Windows 8 touchscreen notebook under RM2000 budget.
My 21-year-old cousin-in-law, Erin, was looking for a new notebook after her ex-notebook’s AMD CPU burned. Knowing I am a tech blogger, she sought for my advice on buying a notebook.
Table of Contents
What’s your notebook budget and usage?
When buying a computer, my advices are setting a budget, listing down your computer usage and the “good-to-have†features.
Erin’s budget is under RM2000 (~USD666). She will use the notebook for light tasks such as web surfing, listening music, watching video, plus some office works. A slim and lightweight notebook (Ultrabook) is preferable. Card reader and DVD drive are good to have. Touchscreen is a bonus.
Windows 8 tablet under RM2000
Erin was checking out Windows 8 tablet. Two Windows 8 tablets that’s under RM2000 in Malaysia are Dell Latitude 10(RM1980) and ACER Iconia W5 (RM1699, without keyboard dock).
I don’t recommend Windows 8 tablet to her because, according to her usage, a 13-inch notebook with faster CPU and more disk space is more value for money and more suitable to her.
RM2000 Windows 8 notebooks
We spent hours at Plaza Low Yat surveyed many notebook models of different brands (HP, DELL, ACER, ASUS, LENOVO, etc).
With RM2300, you can buy a decent Windows 8 notebook with Intel i5 CPU, 4GB RAM, 500GB hard disk + 32GB SSD, and dedicated graphic processor.
That would be the basic of my ideal Windows notebook, but RM2300 has exceeded Erin’s budget. Passed.
There are quite a number of notebooks under RM2000 (Windows 8 and Windows 7) as well. Generally, they have cheaper CPU (AMD, Intel i3, Intel Pentium) and don’t have dedicated graphic processor.
ACER Aspire V5
In the end, Erin decided on ACER Aspire V5. I can felt that she fall in love to the notebook at the first sight. ;)
The notebook is in silver color, it is not metal but feel more tough than cheap notebook plastic body. The keyboard is backlit!
ACER Aspire V5 has a few models. The one I refer here is V5–471P–33214G50Mass (what da genius model name!). It is a slim profile 14-inch Windows 8 notebook powered by Intel Core i3 CPU, 4GB RAM, 500GB hard disk. Complete with HDMI port, 2x USB 2.0 ports, 1x USB 3.0 ports, VGA and network combo port. Weight about 2.1KG.
Despite the slim body, ACER Aspire V5 has build-in DVD drive! The real surprise is.. dang! dang! 10-points touchscreen! So far, this is the only notebook under RM2000 we checked comes with touchscreen.
You really like to have a touchscreen for Windows 8 user interface.
http://youtu.be/u6ID7yHo74Y
We bought ACER Aspire V5 (model: V5–471P–33214G50Mass) at RM1900. We also paid RM50 for Acer SuperCare 2-year Extended Warranty (total 3 years warranty for the notebook).
The extended warranty pack priced over RM100 but the shop sold to us at only RM50… That’s a steal!
LiewCF’s Two Cents
Since the Windows 8 release in November 2012, many Windows 8 devices are now available in the market, from budget to luxury.
I was wrong. Windows 8 notebook is not expensive at all.
In this example, the ACER Aspire V5 is basically perfect for students and home users. The touchscreen feature in a budget notebook really make the model stand out from the crowd. Thumb up for ACER!
For myself, I would spend RM300 more to get a higher specs notebook, even it does not have a touchscreen. Notebook with touchscreen is fun but it does not help to improve my productivity like the better hardware.
Have you buy a Windows 8 notebook? Which model and how much? Tell us in the comment.
Nice! Will look for u if I wanna buy new laptop XD
sure, no problem :)
Got one V5 for under RM1000/-!
under RM1000? seriously?
Yup, my bro got it at Harvey Norman S Pyramid end-Dec 2012 for RM999. Only 10 units available.
Very good price for a Windows 8 laptop.
However Acer brand is quite well known for quality and they don’t last for very long before they start giving trouble.
No problem, she got the 3 years extended warranty.
What do you think of Samsung Series 5 Ultra (with touch)
My budget is around RM 2k-3k
Is there any better option at this price?
decent specs, touchscreen, slim and light (around 2 kg should be fine)
Samsung Series 5 ULTRA Touch available in Malaysia? Under RM3K? I can’t find it on Samsung Malaysia website.
It is only 2gb ram? Can it use for multitasking work?
Normally laptop 2gb ram will make work become so lag :(
Yes, I agree. The one she bought has 4GB. My next computer will have at least 8GB… I would advice to get as many RAM as possible in your budget.
The price is only for the hardware. You forget to mention that one still need to spend for productivity software.
For more or less requirement, I will go for more powerful CPU and better build with more battery juice for performance at slightly lesser price but without touchscreen and minus Microsoft Windows 8. Will opt for open source. Save some money to buy STEAM games on it.
Yes, software is another cost. We don’t have many choices of PC notebook without Windows.
I think that’s a good buy! I’m still using my old laptop with W7, looking to buy a W8 laptop after CNY. Hope to get enough ang pow money for that. LOL :)
Gong Xi Fa Cai to you :D
Mind sharing the name of the shop you went to?
It is in the Plaza Low Yatt. A booth in front HP notebook shop.
will recommend asus x202 and asus s400ca
What are your reasons?
You mentioned that you’d add another rm300 to get a better notebook, so with rm 2200 budget, which model would you recommend?
Check out HP notebook with hybrid drive
I am looking for 15.6″ notebook below RM2000 for office work, which one would u recemmend
Bro i just get one beauty at Rm1600 recently. Asus vivobook s200. Its luxury and worth every cent of money.
I think I found a good deal. Dell 15R intel i5, 8GB ram, 1 TB , 15.6 wled display and original win8 + freebies @RM1899
sound great!
any recommendation for budget arnd 1.8K – 2.5K? been scratchin my head for months searching for one to replace my old compaq. >.< much appreciate for ur help
My budget RM2k, what is the best notebook?