Better Laptop Deal with Nice Screen

NigelTufnel on 12/01/2016 - 15:57
Last edited 12/01/2016 - 17:01

Hi guys,

I'm looking at getting a new laptop. It's to upgrade my 2009 MacBook, that's still running (amazingly), but is struggling.

I'd like it to be a decent upgrade that will hopefully last a while (and easily upgradable if possible). One of the reasons my MacBook has lasted so long is it was easy to swap out the HDD for an SSD and upgrade RAM.

I run a lot of spreadsheets for work, and do a bit of GIS mapping. so a decent size screen and num pad would be good.
I also do a bit of photography, so would ideally like a nice screen.

Currently top on my list is something on the Dell outlet. Specs:

Item Spec
Type Inspiron 15 7000 (As New)
Processor Intel Core i7-5500U
RAM 8GB(2x4GB) DDR3L 1600MHz
Disk 1TB (5,400RPM) SATA HDD*
Graphics AMD Radeon R7 M270 4GB DDR3
Screen size 15.6-inch
Screen Res 3840 x 2160 Touch Display
Price $1,299

*I'd upgrade with spare SSD

I've found figuring out which processor/graphics card/laptop build is better a bit of a minefield. So I'd greatly appreciate anyone's opinion of whether there are better deals out there than this with similar specs somewhere that I'm missing?

Thanks!

P.S. I'm not in a HUGE rush, so if it's better off waiting a month or 2, I'm willing to do that.

Computing

Comments

  • lupiter on 12/01/2016 - 16:06

    Is that RAM upgradable? If it's soldered (or just a bugger to get to and swap), don't get less than 16GB.

    • NigelTufnel on 12/01/2016 - 16:12

      My understanding is that the Inspiron 15 7000 model has 2 slots that are easily upgradable to 16GB. However, Dell's model numbers are quite confusing, so I'm just assuming this one would be no different.

  • YousufEDGE on 12/01/2016 - 16:25

    Get ASUS G551VW I have personally used this and it is indeed a power house very reliable and great material. Here is the latest model (6th gen i7) with good price that I could find on the internet here is the link hope it helps.
    http://www.msy.com.au/vic/pascoevale/notebooks/16318-asus-g5…

    • NigelTufnel on 12/01/2016 - 16:46

      Thanks, that does look nice. However, I was hoping to spend <$1,300 if possible. And no 4K screen. It does look nice and easy to upgrade RAM and HDD though.

  • Make it so on 12/01/2016 - 17:04

    Metabox has some pretty nice machines which come close to the price you are after. They are Clevo based machines with high specs.

    • NigelTufnel on 12/01/2016 - 17:49

      Never heard of them, but they do look really nice. I like that you can get them without hard drives too, so you can save money on one that you'll just swap out.
      Something to keep an eye on if nothing pops up on the dell outlet.

  • ESEMCE on 12/01/2016 - 17:04
    +1

    Keep your eye out on the Dell outlet for the above to snag a better price.

    • NigelTufnel on 12/01/2016 - 17:47

      It was on Dell outlet this morning, but must have been snagged, as I don't see it there anymore. Probably a sign it was a pretty good deal.
      I'm sure something similar will pop up at some point though, maybe at a better price.

      • Make it so on 12/01/2016 - 17:54

        Next time you think you see a good deal with limited supply, maybe don't post it on Ozbargain :)

        • NigelTufnel on 12/01/2016 - 18:02
          +1

          Hehe. I'm in no major rush and wanted advice before jumping in to the purchase. So I don't really mind.
          I'd rather lose a bargain, than have spent $1,300 on a laptop that turned out to not be a great deal.

      • ESEMCE on 12/01/2016 - 20:52

        Something else will come up.
        I watched XPS13 laptops for about 4 weeks and the prices and specs were consistent.
        Machines seemed to turn over daily. So don't take too long to pull the trigger once you're settled on what you want.

        • NigelTufnel on 12/01/2016 - 21:09

          Yeah, I've set up a macro to pull the data to excel, so hopefully I'll be able to jump on it when one comes. :)

  • NigelTufnel on 14/01/2016 - 13:17

    Found out the 7000 series don't have num pads (strange for a 15.6"), so bit the bullet on a 5000 series instead.

    Compromised on the screen (I don't think 5000s come with 4K, so Full HD instead), but instead I got:
    - double the RAM (16GB)
    - double the HDD (2TB) - even though I'll replace with SSD, possibly turn into external
    - DVD drive - could use this spot for another drive
    - Nvidia GeForce graphics - which apparently plays better with Adobe.

    For over $100 less than the above.

    Hopefully that'll last me a while.

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