The best budget Uni/Work Laptop? (Around $300)

[Deactivated] on 12/03/2017 - 01:40
Last edited 12/03/2017 - 03:38 by 1 other user

Hey ozbargainers.
So, i'm not exactly the most tech-savvy person on ozbargain but in search for a minor laptop to bring to uni
i found the Lenovo IdeaPad 100S which intrigues me as potentially one of the best model i've seen under $300.

The model is listed at $280-290 (good guys/JB) and specs are:
- 11.6" HD Screen (1366x768)
- Intel Atom Quad Core Z3735F (1.33 - 1.83Ghz)
- 2GB RAM, 32GB SSD
- BT4.0, 802.11 b/g/n

What are your thoughts and/or experiences with this configuration on the model?
Personally am not looking to spend much given i have a main laptop setup (Asus ROG) for heavy usage.
This smaller laptop will strictly be for work and some light multi-tasking (e.g. word doc and chrome/adobe)

If there is another model that you believe is better, please share as well!
Open to other suggestions and appreciate any feedback given :)

Cheers

Computing

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 12/03/2017 - 03:06
    +5

    Ozbargain's favourite cheap laptop, receiving at around 100 upvotes everytime it's posted.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/product/dell-inspiron-11-3000

    Currently not on sale, but I suggest being patient

    The 100s does not use an SSD. Their marketing department will tell you it's an SSD, but in reality its eMMC, a much cheaper, more basic, slower kind of memory you typically find in tablets and smartphones, it is not traditional SATA drive and it will not perform like one (though, they may sometimes still slightly perform faster than 5200RPM spinning mechanical drives)

    Storage aside the Bay Trail processor on the Lenovo is also pretty outdated, (esp. with 2gb of RAM) and sluggish to boot, you will not enjoy working on a device this slow if you are used to a smooth lag free experience like on a desktop machine. The Pentium N3700 series is much faster.

    • tassieeagle on 12/03/2017 - 08:39

      I have one of ozbargain favourite laptops, and use it for uni. It is a great unit for the price, my only gripe is battery life isn't great (I get maybe 5-6 hours out of it, that's watching lectures, browsing, and word processing). Seriously get one at the next ebay sale, you won't regret it

    • [Deactivated] on 13/03/2017 - 10:29

      Thank you for the suggestion.
      I took a look at the laptop and it seems like a great deal for the price.

      In-fact, Dell are having a 20% ebay sale today. However the laptop is $499 ($399.20 after discount).
      Do you guys believe this is because they marked it up or is it a updated model?)

  • [Deactivated] on 12/03/2017 - 08:58

    Maybe a 2nd hand or refurbished laptop off eBay or Gumtree with OK specs? And make sure the computer your buying is able to connect to your school WiFi.

  • nicholasfrawley on 12/03/2017 - 09:16

    Get the Ozbargainers favourite laptop, it has much better specs than the lenovo

  • supnigs super skids on 12/03/2017 - 09:33

    I'm using the target windows tablet one. Go it for under $150. Its an atom CPU though

  • froggym on 12/03/2017 - 13:08

    I'd get a chromebook if you can find one. Chrome OS is built for low end CPUs and they feel much better to use than a windows laptop with the same specs. I used one for almost 3 years in uni and it was my only computer.

  • tryagain on 12/03/2017 - 15:34

    I have just got a refurb (ex lease) surface pro 3 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/122344714539?_trksid=p2057872.m27… in the last 10% site wide sale for $405 plus delivery for uni. I normally dont like it when people suggest things way above peoples specified budget but depending on how you use it, being able to take notes on the actual lecture presentation then easily save them and keep all your notes easily organised is well worth the extra hundred to me, Otherwise the Dell linked earlier would probably be the best bang for your $$$.

  • BrewerHaHa on 17/03/2017 - 15:45

    I think the Surface Pro 3 and the Dell are both great choices. You get a lot of bang for your buck with both. Remember that the Surface doesn't come with the keyboard so that's an additional cost to yourself.

    Best bang for your buck goes to the Dell (that's what I would get as I'm not much of a touch screen guy myself) but the Surface is a more premium product.

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