Need help deciding between these laptops for uni!

LMishchap on 12/01/2018 - 16:43

Hey guys! I have a budget between $1000 to $1500, and I've already found a few laptops, but I'm unsure whether they'll be good for uni.

To clarify, I need a laptop to have:
- A decent screen (bright + at least 1080p)
- Reliable + will be usable for 3-4 years
- Long life battery (8 hours or more)
- Reasonably light - Not too heavy, easy to carry around uni.
- At least a 13" screen.

These are the ones I've been looking into but I am still unsure:

Lenovo Thinkpad E480 - $874.03

Lenovo Ideapad 320s - $1099

Lenovo Thinkpad 13 - $1,199.00

Acer Aspire S5 - $948

Asus Vivobook - $1138

If you have any other suggestions I welcome them. Thanks for all your help in advance!

Computing

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 12/01/2018 - 17:01
    +4

    Lenovo Thinkpad E480 is the clear winner when it comes to price and performance ratio

    Thinkpad 13 has better portability but it is outdated and is probably due for 8th CPU refresh. But there is no word on when

    For pen stylus powered tablets can't go past the Microsoft Surface for a $1424.05, it's not a powerhouse by any means but it's the device with the best stylus input in the market. Do note touch cover is an additional expense so this might go over your budget.

    The Thinkpad E480 is still the 'best' all rounder and won't burn a hole in your wallet.

    • Mishchap on 12/01/2018 - 17:39

      Do you have a guess on what the battery life is like and if the screen is any good?

      • scrimshaw on 12/01/2018 - 17:46

        battery perhaps around 8 hours, like the previous 7th gen E470. this is only an educated guess, looking at Notebookcheck.com's review of the previous laptop

        screen probably just average, good enough for indoor use but probably dim for outdoor use.

  • wellglued14 on 12/01/2018 - 17:21

    You can sometimes get a Dell XPS 13 for under 1.5k depending on eBay deals. Just another suggestion

  • xuqi on 12/01/2018 - 17:22

    E480

  • pennypincher98 on 12/01/2018 - 17:57

    Acer Spin 5 would be where I would put my money. The 16gb ram version has been seen under 1k, albeit it not very often. The 8gb version is cheaper. It's also a 2 in 1 convertible which as a uni student is invaluable. These models often have a great battery life, great screen and are future proofed. Never underestimate the value of a touchscreen laptop.

    Just another suggestion, but I would never get a traditional clamshell laptop again. You can even view PDF's on there and view it in tablet mode like a book. Works a charm for me.

    A word of caution: I have found personally that Lenovo greatly exaggerates their battery claims. 8 hours means 5 right out of the box at 50% brightness, wifi on but not always connected and some power saving options on.

    Out of these options, I like the Aspire S5. But that's personal opinion not to get a Lenovo and the Asus seems quite expensive for what it is.

  • Deebs on 12/01/2018 - 19:08

    There are some nice as new XPS 13s for sub 1.4k that are nice, as new generally means they're pretty much new (its a bit of a gamble). The one I got was as new and it was brand new, think the box was opened but the laptop was unused. If you go with an XPS go for 1080p as they last over 8hr and the 3200x1800 tend to drop the usage down to like 4hrs.

    http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/product…

    • Mishchap on 12/01/2018 - 19:36

      Isn't there an issue with coil whine with the XPS models?

      • Deebs on 12/01/2018 - 19:39

        haven't heard about it but then again I haven't looked since the generation before.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join