Windows Laptop for a year 7

StuckInTheMiddle on 04/12/2014 - 09:26

Extending from GLO's discussion on a Macbook for a year 7 https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/172431
I have a similar need for my nephew, but the requirements are for a Windows laptop.

He doesn't really know what he wants, something to write essays and play Mindcraft on. His school doesn't have any requirements on what OS ecosystem they work with.

I'm thinking he needs the following:

  1. Something with good battery life (5 hours)
  2. Something which doesn't look like a dinosaur next to his friend's laptops
  3. Sufficient build quality to survive being carried around in his backpack
  4. Last at least 3 years

I'm thinking a midrange laptop with i5 processor, 4GB RAM. Our budget is around 500-800.

Does anyone have any good recommendations on a model and where to source it? I've had good experiences with ASUS but am happy to look further afield based on other's experiences.

Thanks

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • ProjectZero on 04/12/2014 - 10:54

    Well I did find an Acer one from JB that matches what you said.

    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers-tablets/laptops/acer/ace…

    This is just a rough search, I'm sure there are slightly cheaper ones with similar specs.

  • iridiumstem on 04/12/2014 - 10:57

    If you are willing to go over budget a bit, like 200 ish, surface pro 2 is really cheap right now.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/172971

    It can be used as a laptop and I use it for note taking at my lectures.
    It's fairly light too.
    In terms of build quality, I think it is at the high end of the spectrum.
    Also service is really good.

    • Viderzo on 04/12/2014 - 11:55

      Surface Pro 3 will go way over budget, but it is worth it. It is light, fast, and so very pretty to look at.

      If you want to stay within budget, get one of these Lenovo Yoga tablet. I don't use it myself but it has some good reviews.

      • iridiumstem on 04/12/2014 - 12:06

        Surface Pro 2, that was what I meant. The deal I've linked has it for $899.

        Lenovo Yaga… I personally dislike Lenovo for ruining Thinkpad so I might be biased but I've heard so many people telling me to steer away from Lenovo because their service is… horrendous.

        EDIT: I think the problem with finding a budget windows laptop is that since there are so many companies fighting for the market, the economies of scale sort of work here. Compared to Apple's "Budget" laptop line (I use the budget fairly leniently here), most of the budget computers and those fairly mid-range laptops have relatively worse build quality because of that. Not saying that Windows laptops will always be worse than the Apple Macbooks, but just saying that it's hard for a company to compete against Apple in laptop area.

        This was one reason why I recommended Surface Pro 1 & 2, I at least know for a fact that MS has a decent servicing faculty and the build quality is at least decent. I would not go buy 3 just yet, they are expensive.

        If you don't mind getting an old Macbook Air and install Windows 8 over it, I think that wouldn't be a bad choice either.

  • Reverse Snorkel on 04/12/2014 - 11:10

    I would steer clear of Acers and Dells. Just sayin'..
    Toshiba and Lenovo make an ok laptop. Also some ASUS ones are ok.

    It may be worth upgrading the hard drive to a SSD. Hard drives are one of the main things that slow down laptops.

    <- 5c

    • mrmarkau67 on 04/12/2014 - 16:03

      There are mediocre and great Dells, and mediocre and great Lenovos (and Toshibas, and HPs and Acers…..). I've had very good experiences with Dell Latitude and Precision models. You just need to stay clear of the low end ranges in each brand (for example Inspiron in Dell and Pavilion in HP).

      This might be a good option: http://www.dell.com/au/business/p/latitude-3340-laptop/pd

      You can get it from the outlet store right now for $649 http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/product…

      There are some cheaper i3 versions on there too but if he wants to play Minecraft, go for the i5.

      There is also the Dell 7240 on there which looks quite good.

      When it starts to get slow after 18 months or so, upgrade to 8GB of RAM, pop a $100 SSD inside and reinstall Windows and he'll have a nice little laptop.

  • PJC on 04/12/2014 - 15:24

    Apparently most MSY branches have stock of this $299 Acer with Quad-Core CPU,USB3, Windows 8.1 64-bit.
    http://www.msy.com.au/nsw/hurstville/notebooks/14567-acer-e5…

    • elusive on 04/12/2014 - 15:50

      "Quad-Core CPU" => it's Bay Trail. Don't just look at core count. Fine for web browsing. Maybe not that good for Minecraft.

      2 GB of RAM too. Unless you add more, that definitely won't do for Minecraft.

  • StuckInTheMiddle on 04/12/2014 - 17:01

    Thanks for the input guys, Dell latitude definitely seems to be a contender, surprised at the difference between RRP and outlet price.

    Was hoping to see more models with the same specs at the same price range.

    Will delve deeper

    • mrmarkau67 on 04/12/2014 - 17:56

      The Dell 3340 seems to be an "education only". From other discussions on here (especially wrt to fruit based tech companies) it seems our educators are better at teaching our children than driving good deals with tech companies. Once you account for that factor, the 3340 seems to be about the right price from the Outlet.

      I have a child starting year 7 in 2015 with a 3 year old Dell Latitude to start with; we'll see if the 2 hr battery life makes it impractical.

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