New/intermediate player: what racquet should I get?

what is the most important is actually it is a full graphite racket (not metal / alloy frame)

I would suggest NS100 (flexible shaft, good for beginner)
http://www.badmintonalley.com/Yonex...nton_Racket_p/racket-yonex-ns100-red-2012.htm

but you can go to a shop, find any racket (as long as it is graphite)
check the shaft, and go for medium or flexible shaft
then try to swing it, if you think it is not too heavy or too light to swing, then buy it

 

if you wanted to buy muscle power (MP)
I think it would be wise to go for nanospeed (NS) series

first of all, muscle power low end (such as the MP7) used aluminium head
aluminium and any other metal tend to get what they called, metal fatigue (google it, too lazy to explain)
it is heavier than graphite head which makes them harder to swing
and I think it is also unable to take high tension
lastly, many people terrified with the news that someone died because his friend accidentally hit his head with cheap metal racket, and the racket goes inside his head (while it won't happen to graphite)

graphite is a material that makes the frame strong, and light

aluminium is able to withstand clashes however, most likely what you get is a dent on the racket or the racket will have strange shape

and MP rackets are very old racket, and of course they used old technology

nanospeed series (all of them) are full graphite racket
graphite head with graphite (infused with nanotech) shaft
graphite with nano tech will bond the graphite tightly and creates stronger material
nanospeed is more of head light racket, good for defensive player

tl dr version: grab nanospeed

 

yonex nanoray series also a good choice for a defensive player.....
a light racket and easy to swing.....
an improvement from nanospeed series......

 

My brother has the same one, it's pretty good yeah. I'd agree

 

Base on your budget, a yonex nanospeed 100 fit the bill.

 

Based on your budget, I wouldn't buy a YY. You can try APACS.