Windows 7 (32-bit) upgrade vs Windows 8 (64-bit)

For Windows 7 (32-bit) limitation is the RAM can only support upto 3GB maximum.

To upgrade Windows 7 from 32-bit to 64bit OS S$165
plus service fee S$50.
plus RAM upgrade 8GB  S$90 to $120
or 4GB  S$45 to $55
You also need the hardware able to support 64-bit

Total cost around S$300.

Better off to use it to purchase a new core i3 or i5 laptop with 64-bit Windows 8 and 8GB RAM around S$650 to S$850.

Free Laptop via Broadband - 31Dec2013

Singtel 200Mbps $39.50 or 300Mbps $42.45    15Dec2013 - 31Dec2013
topup $40  Lenovo Flex 15 (i7-4500U Win 8.1 500GB 15" Nvidia GT720M DDR3 2GB)


Starhub 200Mbps Fibre at $49.90  Free Acer C720 Chrome Book   1Dec2013 to 30Dec2013
(Celeron 2955U 2GB RAM 16SSD 11.6" 1.25kg)
or Starhub 25Mpbs ADSL $24.90 topup $5 per month

Starhub 200Mbps Fibre at $49.90 topup $35 for Thinkpad S440   Oct2013
(i7-4500U 4GB RAM 500GB 14" 1.78kg)


================================================================
Singnet 200M Fibre at $49.90 / mth (free wireless modem $188, free home digital line, free 1GB 7.2 mobile broadband) and topup $40 / mth to get free 15" Acer New Aspire V5 (RP $1,498) core i7-4500U, Windows 8 64-bit, 8GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce GT720M (2GB).

Total S$89.90 / month for 24-month contract.

Starhub 200Mbps Fibre at $49.90 / mth (free wireless router $299, 21MB 1GB mobile broadband, homeline, anytime TV)  topup $32 / mth get Toshiba Satellite U40t (RP $1,479) core i5-4200U, Windows 8 64-bit, 4GB RAM, 1DD, 14" LED display.

Total S$81.90 / month for 24-month contract.

Backup and Cloning

EaseUS Todo Backup

p/s: It is essential that you check the option "optimize" for SSD if backup hard disk to SSD.

IBM vs Lenovo

So many years after IBM taken over by Lenovo, the are still original IBM brand model and service centers still exit in two different entities. IBM still stands up as premium brand even the service center vs Lenovo.

IBM service center at Changi Business Park vs Lenovo as Bukit Timah.

IBM ThinkPad Heix Ultrabok i5-3337U 2.7GHz 11.6" , 4GB RAM, 256GB mSATA at $2,199   vs
Lenono IdeaPad i5-3339Y   11.6",  8GB RAM, 128GB SSD only at $1,499

However, there is one 14" IBM model on promotion now matches the Lenovo 14" (1366x768)
IBM ThiinkPad B490  i5-3230M  2.6GHz 4GB RAM  500GB Sata  S$899
Lenovo G400s  i5-3230M  8GB RAM  500GB (4+Hour, black))  S$899
Lenovo IdeaPad  S410  i5-4200U  8GB RAM, 500GB (1.8KG, 6+Hour, Red & White) S$899

For IBM ThinkPad normally you cannot get it from retail sales outlet as corporate distributors are selling direct to companies. Try
Align Technologies - 63981212  lenovo@align.com.sg

Computer Service Centers and Rating

Lenovo - Megalink Systems
170 Upper Bukit Timah Road, #05-06/07 Bukit Timah Shopping Centre
Ideapad and Lenovo PC

IBM - Changi Business Park Central 1    *****5 stars
Thinkpad and IBM PC
One of the best service center with customer F&B waiting lounge. Free coffee, tea and soft drinks and snack.

Panasonic   *** 2 stars
Bukit Merah
The repair time takes the longer more than 2-week to diagnose. Not acceptable. Service parts expensive.


HP & Compaq  ***** 5 stars
Alexander Industrial Park
Free coffee tea and sandwich biscuit

DELL  **** 5 stars
Provide home repair service, no need to visit service center as there is none!

Canon  **** 4 stars
Worlld Trade Center

Low cost 14" HP Pavillion Windows 8 - July2013

HP Pavillion g4-2308TX  S$799  -  Special offer S$759 by Challenger plus upgrade to 8GB RAM
Intel Core i5-3230M (2.6GHz)  Windows 8 64bit
4GB DDR3 SDRAM,  500GB H/D
AMD Radeon HD 7670M graphics, 1GB DDR3
14" LED (1366 x 768)
Dolby Advanced Audio

Toshiba Sate4llite14"

Toshiba Satellite U940 Ultrabook 14" 1.79kg      S$1,259      2  Jan2013