Out of all the three PC shows I visited this year, I spent the most money at the Comex 2008. Total amount spent exceeded $3,500 for a Sony VAIO SR notebook, a Canon LCD projector and a A4Tech X7 Laser Mouse.

VAIO SR Notebook

After months of deliberating, I finally bought a Sony VAIO SR12G yesterday. I think it the most sleek and beautiful computer I ever owned. I like the new keyboard feel and the mouse is very responsive. Solid feel. I just love it. I can’t help but imagining this VAIO SR is Sony’s version(albeit thicker) of Apple’s MacBook Air.

@#$%& Windows Vista
However, I am still struggling with the Windows Vista that comes with the SR12G. Is it me getting too old to learn or that piece-of-sh!t is made to frustrate existing Windows XP users?

Canon LCD Projector

I had already used the Canon LCD projector at a seminar last Saturday. It was really easy to use and the projection is simply gorgeous. I particularly like the wide angle zoom lens and the auto Keystone correction.

Here’s a brief specs of the Canon LCD projector:
- 2500 ANSI lumens
- Genuine Canon, 1.6x wide-angle zoom lens
- Quiet mode 29dB
- Auto Keystone Correction
- Wall color correction
- Ultra-fast startup
- Low fan noise
- Contrast ratio 600:1

A4Tech X7 vs Logitech Cordless Laser Mouse

I have been a fan of A4Tech Laser mouse – it was good value for money.

I used the A4Tech X7 for nearly 3 years until this March. I switched to a Logitech Cordless Mouse because I could not find an A4Tech X7 or equivalent at the IT Show earlier this year.

I didn’t like the idea of cordless mouse because you’ll need to replace/recharge the battery and the receiver can be quite bulky and get in the way. However, the V320 changed my opinion.

I have been using the V320 since last March and I am really very used to it without knowing it until last Friday when I finally found the A4Tech X7 on sale at the Comex Show.

Logitech Mouse Better

I eagerly opened up my new X7 and plugged in into my notebook. However, I didn’t feel as good as I remembered. The Logitech Cordless V320 feels better than the X7. Well, that’s 45 bucks down the drain – another mouse to be stowed away for “back-up use”.

The new Asus F8V will debut in the Comex 2008. So is the lighter Asus F6V weighing at 1.9kg. Both the F8V and F6V models are powered by the latest Intel Centrino 2, the new Montevina platform.

I am not really an Asus fan. The only Asus product I got was the Asus eee PC which I bought early this year and since the price has plummeted. I virtually lost $400 in value.

However, the promotion of the new Asus F8Vr and F6V look like good bargain comparing with laptops using Intel Centrino 2.

The Sony VAIO SR12G and SR13GN cost S$2,199 and S$2,499 respectively. A similar model from Asus, F6V costs S$2,098 and comes with ATI Mobility Radeon HD3470 (same graphic accelerator as SR13GN).

Asus F6V

The lighter, smaller and slimmer Asus F6V priced at S$2,098 and the specs as follow:

- Express Gate™ 8 Secs Boot Up Instant Online
- Intel® Core™2 Duo Processors P8400
(2.26Ghz, 1066Mhz, 3MB L2)
- Intel® Next-Gen Wireless-N 4965ABGN (802.11a/b/g/n)
- Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium
- 4GB DDR2 800MHz RAM (after free upgrade)
- 13.3″ WXGA (1280×800) Colorshine & Crystalshine LCD
- ATI Mobility™ Radeon® HD 3470 with 256MB dedicated VRAM
- 320GB SATA HDD with TPM
- Webcam 1.3M Pixels
- 8-in-1 Card Reader, Biometric Finger Print Reader
- DVD Super-Multi Double Layer Drive, Integrated Bluetooth™ 2.0
- 31.2 x 23.19 x 3.2-3.52cm, 1.9kg

Bonus gifts include 250GB external HDD, Asus Notebook carrying bag and Asus Optical Mouse.

[Updated 31 Aug 2008]
One thing that I really like about the Asus F6V was the layout of the various ports. The LAN and VGA connectors are placed at the back so they won’t get in the way of my mouse movement. Also there are 3 USB posts vs only 2 for the VAIO SR12G. I nearly bought this F6V at the Comex Show. The cash price at the show was very attractive, only S$1,965 nett. However, they ran out of stock and I would have to place a deposit and wait for 1 week.

Asus F8V

Here’s what you’ll get at the Comex 2008 for S$2,098 with the F8Vr:

- Express Gate™ 8 Secs Boot Up Instant Online
- Intel® Core™2 Duo Processors P8600
(2.4Ghz, 1066Mhz, 3MB L2)
- Intel® Next-Gen Wireless-N 4965ABGN (802.11a/b/g/n)
- Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium
- 3GB DDR2 800MHz RAM (after free upgrade)
- 14.1″ WXGA (1280×800) Colorshine & Hi-Bright LCD
- ATI Mobility™ Radeon® HD 3470 with 256MB dedicated VRAM
- 250GB SATA HDD with TPM
- 1.3M Pixels 240° swivel Webcam
- 8-in-1 Card Reader, Biometric Finger Print Reader
- DVD Super-Multi Double Layer Drive, Integrated Bluetooth™ 2.0
- 34 x 24.4 x 3.72cm, 2.6kg (6-cell battery pack)

Bonus gifts include 250GB external HDD, Asus Notebook carrying bag and Asus Optical Mouse.

The higher model Asus F8Va is priced at S$2,798. It has a more powerful Penryn T9400, 4GB RAM, graphic accelerator HD3650 with 1024 VRAM, BluRay DVD Combo and etc.

Comex Singapore is coming to Suntec City. The IT show will be held from 28 to 31 Aug 2008.  However, I may be skipping this show because I have already spent too much money on too many gadgets e.g. mouse, fan, portable HDD, eee PC and etc. at the previous IT shows: IT Show 2008 in March and the PC Show 2008 in June.

New Notebook! Must Buy by Year-end

I really need to buy a new notebook for work. I am deciding between Dell XPS M1330, Sony Vaio laptops and the Apple MacBook. I hope to get the latest model powered by Intel Centrino 2.

Any suggestion?