Hi OzBargainers,
I'm looking to buy a laptop within the $700-900 range and can't seem to decide (for maximum value).
From searching the forum, the recommendation seems to be to go for a refurbished Dell.
My current option is a Lenovo ThinkPad E550 custom built to the following specs:
Intel Core i5-5200U Processor (3MB Cache, up to 2.70GHz)
Windows 8.1 64
8GB PC3-12800 DDR3L (2 DIMM)
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080), Anti-Glare
AMD Radeon R7 2GB
720p HD Camera with MIC
Keyboard with Number Pad - US English
500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm, 2.5"
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer
6 cell Li-Ion Battery 48WH - 75+
65W AC Adapter - ANZ
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC/B/G/N 7265, Bluetooth Version 4.0
1 Year Depot or Carry-in
The price for this is $912. I may look to add in an SSD in the future.
Now, I'm not sure if I should hold out for a deal (I'm in need of a new computer, current one is broken), buy the Lenovo above, or whether there are plenty of better alternatives from Dell refurbished (currently nothing in stock so I can't really compare).
I'd like the laptop to be able to be able to handle some games (World of Warcraft mid-graphics as an example). Mostly, it will be for very basic tasks.
Any help or advice from you guys would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
if you want USB 3.1, better performance of 10 to 15%, power efficiency up to 15% and possibly Thunderbolt, might be wise to wait for Intel Skylake. According to Lenovo, their first Skylake laptops will be the Thinkpad P50/P70. Should come soon to other business grade notebooks as well.
Their next-gen 15 laptop with skylake is this Ideapad 300
http://shop.lenovo.com/gb/en/laptops/ideapad/300-series/300-…
October should be when Skylake laptops should be ready to show up. Clevo notebook are already packing skylake, although they are on presale only.
And here are the list of 14 inch notebooks and ultrabooks to come out with Skylake.