New laptop $500-$1000

• 

  scrimshaw on 23/08/2014 - 04:13

  A little over your budget, but checkout the Gigabyte U35F @ $1,099.00
  http://www.msy.com.au/home/12533-gigabyte-u35f-4501h-i5-4200…

  Or a Toshy L50
  http://www.msy.com.au/notebooks/13913-toshiba-sp-l50psktba-0…

• 

  MegaSuperUltraTight on 23/08/2014 - 05:02

  I'll buy the Kogan deal now on the MB air. On eBay

• 

  elusive on 23/08/2014 - 06:08

  If you don't mind refurbished, Dell has some that are cheaper than normal full:

  • XPS & Ultrabook: http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/product… (unfortunately, nothing with 8GB of RAM under $1000. also, they tend to be smallish SSDs - but they'll certainly be much faster than your HDD)

  • Inspiron (non-Ultrabook, cheaper and better specs but heavier): http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/product… the DFO-2872969IP looks pretty sweet, but unfortunately there's no SSD

  Personally, I'd go for power and price over portability, but you might want the Ultrabook if you're going to be carrying it around a lot.

  Depending on what you do with it, the Venue 11 tablet may also be an option.

  General opinion on Dell refurbished seems to be pretty good, and you do have a pretty typical 1 year warranty. The ones marked "as new" or "new" apparently were never shipped to a customer, just customised.

  • 

    steff on 23/08/2014 - 10:51

    +1 for the refurbs (especially factory refurb). you could really get a good bargain for a current spec'd model.

    Also, remember OP might have a hard time adjusting to a standard notebook (in terms of weight to lug around) coming from an ultrabook

• 

  ShamelessBargains on 23/08/2014 - 08:27

  -2

  Even though you aren't interested in Macs, you could always dual boot it and run Windows? The current special at $750 for a 2014 11" Macbook Air is excellent buying and would make a great portable powerhouse for uni.

• 

  [Deactivated] on 23/08/2014 - 10:48

  I'd be willing to try out Logical Blue One, they have posted deal on here before with alot of people spreading the word about them. It's always best to go with something recommended by a friend than an ad though.

  $800
  http://www.logicalblueone.com.au/store/523-horize-w110er-not…

  $1300
  http://www.logicalblueone.com.au/store/576-horize-w355ss-gam…

  I'd probably get the $800 one and add Windows 7 if I was feeling like donating to Microsoft (why not?) and also the 3year RTB warranty including parts and labour taking it up to $1000. I think anything over $600 for a laptop needs at least 3yrs warranty as you're up a creek without a paddle if the motherboard or another proprietary component fails.

  BTW if you're going to get a Pro version of windows get 8 (it includes downgrade rights to Win 7 and future proofs you if you decide later to get 8 for software compatibility or something).

• 

  Dennis3003 on 23/08/2014 - 11:41

  +1

  Why not try a Lenovo. You can get an Core i5, 4gb ram and 500gb hdd @ 7400rpm for $649, provided you use the coupons they always provide. Here is a link: http://shopap.lenovo.com/au/en/laptops/thinkpad/edge-series/…

  If you need 5ghz wireless try the E440: http://shopap.lenovo.com/au/en/laptops/thinkpad/edge-series/…

• 

  matabuntu on 24/08/2014 - 17:08

  +1

  +1 for the dell outlet but lenovo-au outlet also has some offers. Have a look at thinkpad T530 $899 - i7 3rd gen cpu + hd+ 900p screen + nvs5400m 1GB gpu - http://shopap.lenovo.com/au-outlet/itemdetails/23592B8/445
  A bit on the heavy side (2.5+kg) but it's one of the most reliable laptop out there. Also you can get 9 cell batt if you need more than 4-6 hrs standard battery life.
  Ships in 48hrs, (according to faq - sydney metro delivery is 1 busines day after est. shipping date), best to call them first.