web analytics
infinix banner

Sub-30k Laptops as Netbook Alternatives

While most of the current netbooks are in the Php20k to Php30k range, some people will still opt for a decently spec’ed notebook within that price range for obvious reasons. Here are my recommended full-featured laptops under Php30,000.


Compaq Presario CQ40-340TU
Intel Pentium Dual Core T4200, 2.0GHz, 1MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB
Mobile Intel GL40 Express Chipset, GMA 4500M
1GB DDR2 RAM
250GB SATA HDD
14.1” display screen (1280×800)
SuperMulti 8X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive
WiFi 802.11 b/g
5-in-1 card reader
Webcam
3x USB 2.0, HDMI port
Altec Lansing Speakers
6-cell battery
Price: Php29,940

Asus X80-LE
Intel Pentium Dual Core T2390, 1.86GHz, 1Mb L2, 533MHz FSB
Mobile Intel 965GM Express Chipset, Intel X3100 384MB shared
14.1″ display screen
2GB DDR2 533MHz RAM
120GB SATA HDD
DVD-RW
4-in-1 card reader
ExpressCard Slot
Webcam
Intel PRO WiFi b/g/n
Gigabit LAN / 56Kb modem
1x firewire, 4x USB 2.0
Price: Php 24,999

Dell Vostro A840
Intel Pentium Dual Core T2390 1.86GHz
14.1″ display screen
1GB DDR2 667MHz RAM
120GB SATA HDD
WiFI 802.11 b/g
56Kb Modem, LAN
DVD+RW
Price: 27,999

MSI MegaBook PR400
Intel Pentium Dual Core T3400 2.16GHz, 1MB L2, 667MHz
Intel GMA965 / Intel X3100
2.0GB DDR2 667MHz RAM
160GB SATA HDD
DVD+RW
14.1″ WXGA / Biometric + camera 1.3MP
WiFi 802.11 b/g
GigaBit LAN
Php24,999

Lenovo G430
Intel Pentium Dual Core T3400 2.16GHz, 1MB L2, 667MHz
14.1 inch screen
Intel GMA4500m
2.0GB DDR2 667MHz RAM
250GB SATA HDD
DVD Dual Layer
WiFi 802.11 b/g
Php27,995 

Acer Aspire AS4730Z-342G16Mn
Intel Pentium Dual Core T3400 2.16GHz
14.1″ LCD display screen
Intel GMA 450MHD (64MB Dedicated, up to 1659MB Shared)
2GB DDR2 RAM
160GB SATA HDD
DVD Super Multi Drive
Gigabit LAN
Webcam
5 in 1 Card Reader
Bluetooth
Price: Php28,500

For differences in memory, just factor in 1GB of RAM at Php750 or 2GB at Php1,100. So, if it’s still within budget, you can upgrade it. Some of these don’t have Windows pre-installed though so you might also need to factor them in (there’s always Ubuntu).

The next time you look at a netbook, think if you really need the portability. Otherwise, a regular laptop with the same price could be well worth it. At least you know that a Pentium Dual Core are still way faster than the Intel Atom.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,083 other subscribers
Avatar for Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

27 Responses

  1. Avatar for feyoh feyoh says:

    i really appreciate you for taking time and effort to post product prices and specs comparison. really helps in the decision-making.

    thank you.

  2. Avatar for trina trina says:

    Sir Abe, thanks for these infos! Ask ko lang if where did u get the prices for Asus X80-LE?
    Im planning to buy one asap. Thanks!

  3. Avatar for peachy peachy says:

    I agree, a laptop is better than a netbook. The screen is bigger, performance and functionality you can more from a laptop.

    earn a laptop : http://ezlaptop.com/?r=636721

  4. Avatar for reyhard reyhard says:

    a recent survey show that ACER aspire outsale all leading loptop manufacturer..including ASUS..I had a bad reputation with ASUS..the keyboard is suck and a lot of consumer complaint about it..I’am planing to buy ACER aspire 4730z with upgradable to 4gig ram and install 32bit vista..i’am planing also to install VMWARE to make virtual os with ubuntu..i know it is possible but my question is…can I make it with OS X?? runing under Vista?

  5. Avatar for Paolo Bisnar Paolo Bisnar says:

    Where can i get the Asus X80-LE? I couldn’t find any of these.

  6. Avatar for cy cy says:

    lezuric, there is a good Compaq and Acer laptop with AMD processor and chipset also below 30,000. For me, last March, I got a Lenovo G410 for just 23,000. intel dual core 1.73, 1gb ddr2, 160gb hd, dvd-writer, 14.1 monitor. just no webcam, anyways i’m not fond of using webcam and the store gave me a webcam for free.

  7. Avatar for grace morota grace morota says:

    thanks Sir Abe. this is a great help!! more power to you and to this site!!

  8. Avatar for Lezuric Lezuric says:

    no AMD processors?.. :<

  9. Avatar for chris chris says:

    nice specs on Compaq Presario CQ40-340TU..

  10. Avatar for paul paul says:

    for my portability needs, i’d still go for a netbook. ever since i got the eee pc 900ha, my heavy, bulky, 15″ compaq presario has become a mainstay at home.

  11. Avatar for What are Bloggs? What are Bloggs? says:

    that MSI notebook looks tempting hehe :D

  12. Avatar for Abe Olandres Abe Olandres says:

    Got the specs and prices at Villman and PC Corner.

  13. Avatar for John Ray Cabrera John Ray Cabrera says:

    yes, the price may fit on the netbook range, but how the netbook is qualified isn’t just the price but the compact, lightweight, and smaller screen(at most 10inches).

  14. Avatar for Go Go says:

    I mean LENOVO G430. typo hahaha. thanks for the information abe

  15. Avatar for Rodney Garcia Rodney Garcia says:

    In what stores are these units available?

  16. Avatar for madzman23 madzman23 says:

    @jHay – Oh yeah, Lenovo specs is also good. I overlooked at it. :D

    @Jamby – Multi-touch is not that required, performance is what we need to look to dude. :)

    @Sir Abe, where did you get your source to these pricelist?
    I mean, from which store/s?

  17. Avatar for Ryan Umadhay Ryan Umadhay says:

    I don’t even consider netbooks that’s more than 20k. Netbooks have smaller screens and they can’t give you the gaming experience compared to regular laptops.

    That’s why I have a regular laptop (already 2 years old) and an ASTONE UMPC (almsost six months 10k only).

  18. Avatar for Darren Darren says:

    I thought NEO should be listed too ~

  19. Avatar for Jamby Jamby says:

    doesn’t any of these models have multi-touch pad?

  20. Avatar for aldrin aldrin says:

    all of the above are generally better than netbooks, but maybe the weight and battery life.

  21. Avatar for jhay jhay says:

    Yeah, I got my eyes on the Lenovo G430. :D But for my next notebook, I’m looking for a smaller screen size and lesser weight.

  22. Avatar for madzman23 madzman23 says:

    Yeah, but its definitely faster than Atom and more functional than netbooks.
    Good timing to post it Sir Abe, my sister is planning to get a laptop but her budget are just 30K. I think the Compaq will be the one.

    Thanks!

  23. Avatar for Go Go says:

    I am eyeing on the Lenova G430. I was about to get an Eee PC 1000H until I see this article.

    visit http://pinoygadgetprice.blogspot.com/ for other great deals in gadgets in the Philippines

  24. Avatar for calvin calvin says:

    all are dual cores. means to show there are no decent core2duo under 30k?

Leave a Reply
JOIN OUR TELEGRAM DISCUSSION

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *