Suggest a Laptop? < $1,000

anastasiastarz on 30/10/2015 - 03:27

Hi,

I'm after a new laptop and know nothing about them. My last one was a work model and lasted 7yrs, now it's very slow and sometimes the black area in pictures goes all funny. Also it can't play a video and do anything else at the time.

Spoke to the IT guy at work and he recommended… <$1,000,4/8GB, Intel3+, SSD, <_14" screen. I did some research though have no idea what I'm doing… https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/39335827/Laptops.xls

Which would you recommend? It doesn't have to be one on my list. I'm using it mainly for notepad, ms, and photo editing (online) and maybe photoshop in the future. IT guy says I need one that's also used by gamers?

Computing

Comments

  • altomic on 30/10/2015 - 07:03
    +1

    Dell outlet has some reasonable inexpensive machines that can then be improved with a SSD and additional ram.

  • Wyn-Ryder on 30/10/2015 - 10:44

    How portable does it need to be?

    Agree with the above, but portability and screen preference (size / res) will play a bit part in determining the cost (assuming you'll just be browsing, perhaps word processing and watching videos)

    The link to the DFO (and the type which seems most suited to your situation): http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/product…

    The other option is MSY and look at the low-spec laptops.

    • anastasiastarz on 31/10/2015 - 03:08

      I'll be traveling 2hrs each way to/from work, half the week. Living at a boarding house, we can't have desks in our rooms, as they want us to be social, so I'll be moving the laptop a few times everyday.

      • nuchalis on 05/11/2015 - 05:30

        we can't have desks in our rooms, as they want us to be social

        Offtopic, but really?! That sounds draconian! Who are "they"?

  • GordonR on 30/10/2015 - 13:04

    I've been looking for similar, and stumbled across this

    http://www3.lenovo.com/au/en/deals/current-offers/quick-ship…

    Unfortunately it has the spinning drive not SSD but perhaps for $250 you could upgrade?

  • Mobe1969 on 31/10/2015 - 10:15
    +1

    My laptop finally died this morning so I'm in the same boat too.

    I'm not looking for anything too flash, just have one requirement of the screen being at least 1920x1080, not that 768 line rubbish. I use it for work, but most of it is done via remote hence the lack of need for anything too powerful. Other than that just for storage and browsing

    Anyone know of any websites that have decent search options for laptops? I'm getting so sick of having the click on individual computers at various sites to see what resolution the screen is etc.

    • Mobe1969 on 31/10/2015 - 11:53

      I can't believe how difficult and frustrating it is searching. OK, I have two requirements, 1920x1080 screen, and a blu ray drive - or at least on I can put a BD drive in. I don't think dell even sells anything with a combo BD drive.

      I could probably do without the internal BD I guess. I have an external one (a samsung), but I've had too much trouble reading some cds on it.

    • scrimshaw on 31/10/2015 - 19:07
      +1

      Buy a configured to order laptop via Dell or Lenovo. That's your best choice.

      Lenovo also provides education options — use your .edu email and order via the education portal for a bit of a discount.

      you could try GNOD http://www.productchart.com/laptops/ however this is not a complete list and many laptops are usually marketed according to region and country — certain models may not appear in Australian stores.

      • Mobe1969 on 31/10/2015 - 21:04
        +1

        Dell used to be good, 6 years ago. My last 4 laptops have been dell. But the last one I got for my wife, suddenly they dropped all ability to customize your laptop, and the only model you could get a 1080 screen on were high end desktop replacements.

        In this day and age it disgusts me that manufacturers are still peddling any of this 768 line crap. Pre HD and in the analog age it was one thing. But now, it is a xxxxing abomination and a kickback to last century. They ought to be ashamed.

      • GordonR on 01/11/2015 - 02:19
        +1

        Ha!

        I was seduced into a somewhat tedious registration process at Lenovo by the promise "up to 30% off" for education users.

        What did I find? About $25 off a $900 computer, or about 3% off.

        Yes, I know that "up to" means "less than or equal to" and so technically anything from $0 off to $ 270 off meets the claim, but I still wonder if anything is actually 30% off?

        • Mobe1969 on 01/11/2015 - 08:02

          Didn't lenovo get in trouble recently too for spyware?

          I'm pretty sick of OEM OS flavours these days. They are so bloated with rubbish now it isn't funny.

  • anastasiastarz on 10/11/2015 - 02:55

    Thanks everyone, I'm off to ask which laptop each major laptop seller recommends then compare those. :)

    • Mobe1969 on 10/11/2015 - 13:43
      +1

      I ended up getting one of these…

      http://h20386.www2.hp.com/AustraliaStore/Merch/Product.aspx?…

      10% cash rewards at the moment, plus an easy 5% voucher available. Plus, if you create an account, stick it in your cart, and don't buy it for a couple of days, you are likely to get a 10% coupon. I got a couple. They don't look single use but they said expire in a week.

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