Recommend a Laptop for Uni

tassieeagle on 01/07/2016 - 09:44

Hello all, as title suggests I am after a laptop for uni. I have no idea about laptops really so any help would be appreciated. I have seen some recent posts here that seem ok but not sure if they fit what I am after. As this is ozb obviously something cheap and good. I don't need this right away so happy to wait for a good deal.

I will only be using this for word processing, reading texts, and web browsing. Windows preferred, a relatively decent sized hard drive, and most importantly a good keyboard for typing. My past experience with laptops are the keys are quite soft and easy to make errors, I would like a keyboard with keys that have a bit of resistance to avoid accidentally pushing the wrong keys.

Thank you

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 01/07/2016 - 09:48

    Use a MacBook Air like every single other student. Or you can be the nerd in the corner who needs to sit next to a PowerPoint.

    • tassieeagle on 01/07/2016 - 09:52
      +6

      I will be doing it via correspondence. Also I don't like Macs and they don't really fit the 'cheap' category

  • systema on 01/07/2016 - 10:00
    +1

    Get a Thinkpad X220 / X230, should be able to pick a second hand unit with Sandy / Ivy Bridge up from around $300 or so. Will do what you want to and replacement parts for these units are dirt cheap. Great keyboards (not just good), just need to get used to using trackpoint (which is great for work!). Get a new 9 cell battery off fleabay and a Thinkpad X230 can easily power for over 8 hours (which is more than enough for a day's work). If that's still not enough, add a slice battery and it will last for more than 18 hours of continuous use (real life experience with my X230).

    Forgot to mention, if you need a larger hard drive (they usually comes with 320 - 500gb) or SSDs, make sure that they are 7mm thick, not the 9.5mm items. Also try to look for units that come with IPS screens as well, they are not that much more expensive.

    They may not be a pretty device, but they're built to last and be user serviceable. Chuck in 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, and you have one of the best low cost sleepers in the laptop land.

    • tassieeagle on 01/07/2016 - 10:21

      Thanks mate I'll check them out

  • altomic on 01/07/2016 - 10:24
    +3

    I did a Grad Dip online. If you're doing it by correspondence and dont need it to be portable then get a desktop. The extra screen space will be appreciated. If you want a physical small PC then buy a 21 inch monitor and a small form PC box (usually around $100 and can be tucked neatly under the edge of the monitor. Pair it with a wireless mouse and keyboard.

    • cypher67 on 01/07/2016 - 10:27
      +2

      To add to this, get something with 2 screens. Either a laptop with a monitor add on or desktop with 2 screens. Studying by constantly minimising your reference material or notes whilst writing your papers is a nightmare.

      • altomic on 01/07/2016 - 10:31

        Yes. Excellent point.
        Here is an example of a PC box I'd suggest

        It's intel so it could/might support dual monitors (but I'm not 100% sure)

      • tassieeagle on 01/07/2016 - 10:41

        Guys I think your ideas are excellent, unfortunately I don't have the space to set that kind of thing up and like the idea of the portability of a laptop. I already have a tablet (galaxy tab s) which I intend on using to view etexts and lecture notes whilst I use the laptop.

      • Stingy Student on 01/07/2016 - 10:51

        That's true - I get around this by split screening on my laptop (for example, lecture notes on one side and my notes on the other), so I'd recommend this tactic if you're looking into getting a laptop. Mine has a 15" screen, I wouldn't want to go much smaller if you're going to split the screen.

        • systema on 01/07/2016 - 10:53

          That will depend on whether you are willing to connect your laptop to other devices as well. I frequently connect my laptop to my TV where my TV act as a second screen.

  • Redflanders on 01/07/2016 - 11:40

    If you're really after a bargain look for a refurbished laptop on ebay. There's mobs who lease laptops to businesses, when the lease finishes they refurbish the laptop and sell them on ebay. My laptop is one of these. It's a Hp Pavillion, it has 700gb, 8gb ram and I won it for a touch over $200. The only risk was it only came with a 30 day warranty. I'm a gambling man and took that risk and it paid off, 2 years and still going strong

    • tassieeagle on 01/07/2016 - 12:27

      Thanks I will probably do that, don't mind taking a risk if it's only a couple of hundred for decent specs. Just not sure what specs I need at the moment.

  • Solarlux on 02/07/2016 - 09:45
    +1

    And the 'Apple' dude's comment shrinks into obscurity where it rightfully belongs…

  • donnot on 02/07/2016 - 19:50

    If you don't mind going for slightly older models, something like this would do a great job. Performance is pretty much on par with the current generation i5's, and that one comes with a 9 cell battery which should last a while (provided you upgrade to windows 10 and disable the dedicated graphics for the applications that you don't need it for). Keyboard is perfect (IMO), not mushy (have very good resistance), and decent key travel.

    There are quite a few of these model (E6520/6420) laptops around, as they are usually ex-business laptops.

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