[exorio]

Been to funan and well, trying my luck on... simlim. Amen.

Was looking for high end notebooks for gaming, was set on MSI GT628. Decided I won't risk on sager since It would took time for repairs/warranties.

MSI is at least have more branches of its service center everywhere. Then I spotted Asus G51vx brochures. I'm in love. But none of the stores at funan have it at ready stock.

Got a bad experience with N***tead @ comex... but they do have alot of shops at funan. Probably it's the moronic cheating salespeople, not the company.

I got a great service from Matrix IT Gallery guy... he said the asus G51vx would be available sometimes in near weeks, early november at least. He also said the store is part of Challenger, like sister company or something. Is this correct?

Later when I walk around simlim on the escalator some guy greet me warmthly... and hand me over a name card... lol. WTF? Well, probably he's just friendly... but somehow he act over too friendly to me :/

went around couple of times... and fetched couple of other namecards

3 of em got similar logo and similar design of namecards. F**douse electronics, Al*f computers and A*tive notebooks one of em is from the guy at the escalator.

When I come to their shop, they said they have G51vx ready stock. I told em I'll be back in couple of days or so...

but... turn out F**douse was the featured shop in this story

Tourist cheated thrice in one day at Sim Lim
and
2009 March Singapore Trivia

sigh. so that's why the guy's being over too friendly. lol.

Spotted some store called PCDreams sold an MSI GT628 for about 2500 something... forgot the exact price tho.

Is this shop reliable? The price is kind of tempting, but I asked to corbell through messaging, and some guy messaged me plus checking out both mucro and cubehub websites, none of them would go below 2700-2800. :/

I forgot the name of the first floor. They sell notebooks aswell, next to the escalator. Spotted a gateway, which sports a very impressive spec, but kind of huge to my taste. Something brother I think. Talked to the salesgirls and they're quite friendly. I talk to the salesgirls (one of em is quite a cutie btw) and ask whether they can order the G51vx.

So I need your opinion guys. specially on Matrix, something brother shop and PCDreams. Matrix is at funan, and PCDreams at simlim. I would fetch the MSI GT628 because it's rather compact (15") and much cheaper (from PCDream) rather than waiting for G51vx.

Thanks in advance.

[batuchka]

I dun want to discourage you but the ease to upgrade hardware, better ventilation to promote good flow (ah evil heat the scourge of hardware
)and $$/frames the roads all seem to lead to a Desktop for a top of the line config (and experience)

[MucrodotAsia]

This is a very interesting post.

We didn't know anyone was interested in the MSI laptops, so to be honest we generally don't update the prices on the MSIs. We know many of the other online shops will probably do the same.

You will need to email and ask cubehubs or mucro for an updated price. Our prices are actually 3 months old and we generally don't update them because Corbell initially refused to send us files that we can read and process easily. We are also never told if there is a price decrease.

For the retailers in Sim Lim, you are safe to buy from PC Dreams since they are taking the stock from Corbell anyway. Either way, you are buying from the same source, Corbell.

Regarding Sim Lim ripping off people, they are having a hard time because of the constant rental increases. If you read in the paper, there was an article that said the Sim Lim rentals are comparable to Orchard Road. This is certainly not feasible for selling electronics goods where margins are typically in the single digit percentage.

Rental increases are probably the result of people in industry artificially inflating rentals/property prices or caused by REITs Trusts. Who is to blame? Don't know. Maybe wait until the bubble bursts and see how it goes.

In the meantime thanks for letting us know of the price drops in the MSI.

[batuchka]

Actually when buying any hardware in SLS knowledge is your best protection vs being exploited by any shop hehe

[Magnuz]

Things to look out for;

1.) Once you have made up your mind, confirm and seal the deal with the shop.

2.) When that happens, make sure they open up a brand new box in front of you.
Intact paper seal on the top. Not one that has the paper seal already torn off and
which can easily be opened.

3.) Check hardware carefully. Test bright/dead pixels.
Check all items/freebies included.

Personally, I advise Toshiba notebooks. Freebies and price already set
by Toshiba. The shop is just passing it to you for the same price!
1st year international earranty, option of 2nd and 3rd year extention via
Toshiba direct!