What Dick Smith Laptops Are The Best Buy

L[Deactivated] on 12/09/2015 - 20:27

Calling all techies..

I would like some advice/opinion on what Windows laptop I should consider buying from Dick Smith.
I have over a grand in gift cards (so it must be a Dick Smith item).
I as unable to make up my mind and would like to hear the experiences from those who have recently purchased a laptop from DSE.

My usage: Internet browsing, odd Photoshop, CD/DVD burning, Office, iTunes, movies, Presto, not into gaming
Budget: Up to $1,200

Features I like:
Internal burner, touch screen, USB3 (the more the better), 8GB+ RAM, SSD, dedicated graphics memory, i7 (I already own a i5 based laptop but unsure if the i7 is overkill for my needs)

Features I dislike:
Bad touch keyboards, cheap looking/build quality, bad or weak sound

Computing

Related Stores

Dick Smith / Kogan
Dick Smith / Kogan
Marketplace

Comments

  • ozhunter on 12/09/2015 - 20:43
    +2

    Wait for a sale or sell the gift cards and buy elsewhere.

  • scrimshaw on 12/09/2015 - 21:20
    +1

    This looks half decent. Asus TP500LN-CJ035H ~4th Gen. Core i7 $1,299
    http://www.dicksmith.com.au/laptops-notebooks/asus-15-6-tp50…

    However, this exact laptop sells for $999 elsewhere
    http://www.onlinecomputer.com.au/product_info.php?products_i…

    Another option without the touch, but with a newer generation Broadwell chipset and 940m GPU. But the offer ends today…
    http://www.dicksmith.com.au/laptops-notebooks/asus-15-6-tp50…

  • DezmolishA on 14/09/2015 - 09:37
    +1

    I've been watching laptop prices on dicksmiths website for a few weeks now ever since I nearly bought one, and I'm pretty glad that I didn't. Over those weeks I've seen the price change from $2500, down to $1780 (when I was very close to buying it) and then back up to $2400, but.. When I was looking at it I thought hey.. One day only online sale, but believe me when I say that doesn't mean anything. so don't feel rushed into buying it, because you'll will probably be made to regret it.

    On a side note, the new gen CPU's will be rolling out on laptops pretty soon I reckon which will make older gen ones drop potentially.

  • [Deactivated] on 15/09/2015 - 10:27
    +1

    Thanks for all the advice. If a new generation CPU is on the cards I might as well wait a little longer :)

    • scrimshaw on 15/09/2015 - 14:16

      Skylake is not a big game changer. Performance-wise I think there's very little between the 5th and 6th gen. Graphics should also improve marginally, but that's not a big deal for laptops with discrete GPU. Battery consumption wise I'd say there's perhaps a 10% improvement, and 15% at most.

      If you really need a PC, I'd just roll with a Broadwell based laptop, there are plenty of great options on the Dell Outlet.

      http://www.dell.com/learn/au/en/audhs1/campaigns/dell-outlet…

      Dell refurbs usually come in good (often pristine) condition and their warranty services are also second to none. The Dell Latitude series are well built business machines, while they seem lacking in media features and generally lack a discrete GPU, they'll typically last longer than the average consumer device that DSE sells.

      If I were you, I'd sell the DSE cards, even if you do not recoup the full value of the gift cards, you have the option and flexibility of choosing any laptop you want from a better vendor. DSE's prices aren't all that great, their selection is also limited to ordinary consumer stuff. Come christmas time you should see pretty good deals from HP, Lenovo Dell etc.

      Remember, our AUD is dropping sharply and that can cause Skylake equipped devices to spike in price. Don't expect Skylake laptops to be cheap at launch.

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