I needed an extra hard disk to run my hackintosh project properly. Previously it was sharing with my existing Windows OS and things got messy. It’s better for me to have them on separate disks.

So I’ve bought the Samsung SpinPoint F3 500GB after serious consideration from various sources which includes Reng Kwan, Mr Scott Tan, Mr Google and many other sites.  Initially I was just thinking of getting a used hard disk and save some extra cash but then a used 320GB WD hard disk costs RM100 (which I do not know how well they perform) compared to this Samsung SpinPoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB, RM140. 40% more in price for a 56% increase in capacity >.<

The 750GB model costs a mere RM25 more but do not be fooled by the price. Performance wise it is not the same as the 500GB model as the 750GB model hosts 3 x 250GB platter compared to a single platter on the 500GB model. The 1TB version comes with 2 x 500GB platters and performance is supposedly on par with the 500GB model. Single platter offers an advantage in terms of read/write seek time, speed, heat and noise production. Anyway, I’m not that certain about this.

Let’s skip that part and get to the benchmarks.

I used HD Tune Pro TRIAL EDITION to get the figures. Anyway here they are. Pretty good speeds with some hiccups at times. Anyway did the test a few times and the results were around the same.  The average read speed achievable was at 131.6MB/s.

Just to compare, the Western Digital Green 500GB that I’m using now transfers at around 80MB/s. Now that’s a 50% increase in speed. Anyway all these are just benchmarks. These numbers would be useful if I kept transferring huge files. For random seeking, getting an SSD drive would do wonders.

For that price, the Samsung SpinPoint F3 is a really value for money hard disk.

It was even given the title “Samsung F3 unofficial most sought-after hard disk on LYN as of 25 June 2010.” – from forum.lowyat.net .

Now, let’s see how long it lasts before I’d confirm on that statement.

So, Reng Kwan handed my copy of the MUSA “paper” today together with the MUSA Sub-committee t-shirt. Urgh, the tshirt was kinda biggy in size but hey! I’ve got another uniform to wear now.. No need to wear the same t-shirt on the same day every week like what -Co2- OldOldChai d=.=b does .

Oh yeay, they appreciated what I did as a MUSA Webmaster for the year 2010..urm.. lol.. which I just have not done pretty much anything, yet. Don’t worry, we’ll work on it once the exams are over alright? 

Hope that Julius does not visit my blog. I doubt he does anyway..

FLOWERS!

If my memory serves me right, Sri Paandi Restaurant used to be “hot” in the news due to its neighboring shop having the same name, getting customers confused over which restaurant to dine at. Anyway that was many years ago and the “pirated” shop is no longer there.

Went there today with  *-Co2- OldOldChai d=.=b* and Reng Kwan today and first impression was.. the workers there had itchy fingers. The phone below, which belongs to Reng Kwan was pretty much molested by the workers as one of them picked it up from the table and started pinching, poking, rubbing his fingers on it. tsk tsk tsk..

He snatched the phone back and end story. =)

So back to the topic, here’s the banana leaf rice.

Taadaa.. a few workers would storm your table and scoop out chunks of colorful vegetables and stuff before you could even open your mouth to stop them. This is the standard procedure I presume.

A closer look at the food. OldOld Chai said the rice texture felt like cake

Any additional vegetables and rice are free as they have already included the cost in the bill.

And we are done with it. Total damage: RM10+/-

It’s good to have an Indian meal occasionally, right aiyean?

Look what can be done when a crippled netbook is revived with external limbs like the keyboard, mouse, wired network connectivity, display output and many more. It was pretty usable for me to arrange some images using photoshop via remote desktop from this netbook!

It provides me with connectivity to windows live messenger too =P

The little brother of the one featured here