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TL;DR
Lenovo Thinkpad E595: https://www.lenovo.com/au/en/laptops/thinkpad/thinkpad-edge/…
15.6" IPS FHD (250nits), Ryzen 5 3500U, 8GBx1 2400 MHz DDR4, 256GB NVMe SSD, 802.11ac 2x2 + BT4.2
$849.50 (Increased Cashback offer has ended, now back down to 3%)
See previous deals for some FAQs and discussions about ThinkPad E series with Ryzen Mobile.
EDIT 07/05/2020: Base configuration now sold out on both Lenovo AU's official webpage and eBay store front. Customise option units are still able to be ordered, but at least 4 weeks waiting time before shipping.
EDIT 06/05/2020 1:38PM: As of 12:37PM, the eBay store has sold out its listing. But funnily enough, it is back to available to order on Lenovo AU's own webpage (linked here or as above)
EDIT 11:55PM: The standard $849.50 config is now out of stock on Lenovo's website, however, it still appears as available on Lenovo AU's eBay storefront (1.5% cashback via CR): https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/401933745600 (showing 10 units available). Although I'm not sure if they draw from the same inventory, which means it might also be out of stock once their system refreshes inventory levels.
Notes on memory upgrades and maximising performance:
- For best performance (i.e. if you plan on gaming/GPU intensive, or anything CPU/memory intensive), you'll need the memory in dual channel configurations (most often that means two sticks of RAM).
- That means DIY. Buy the extra 8GB RAM stick and upgrade the memory yourself. StaticIce price search (just go for the cheapest 2400MHz one will be fine): http://staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=8gb+DDR4+sodimm…
- Plenty of vids on youtube on how to access the parts and DIY upgrade: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=thinkpad+e595+m…
- If you are only using for office/browsing/light media consumption. You can consider not upgrading the memory yet until later
Notes on software updates:
It is recommended that chipsets and graphics drivers (pretty much all really) are updated to the latest versions to iron out some earlier software, driver and stability/incompatibility issues. See link below to Lenovo's official product support page.
Also, you may consider updating graphics drivers directly from AMD as it is often more up to date. Regarding the Chipset drivers, go with whichever is more up to date (AMD or OEM). AMD has taken over the responsibility of updating and releasing the graphics drivers from the OEMs since end of Feb 2019.
Chipset: https://www.amd.com/en/support/chipsets/socket-fp5-mobile/am…
Graphics: https://www.amd.com/en/support/apu/amd-ryzen-processors/amd-…
Thinkpad E595 Spec (Official product support webpage for drivers and guides/manuals etc: https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/au/en/products/laptops-and-netb…):
- AMD Ryzen™ 5 3500U Quad-Core (4 Cores 8 Threads, 2.1 GHz base frequency, 3.7 GHz boost, 2MB L2 Cache, 4MB L3 Cache)
- Integrated AMD Radeon™ Vega 8 Graphics
- 15.6" FHD (1920x1080) IPS 250nits Anti-glare
- 8GBx1 DDR4-2400 Memory
- 256 SSD M.2 2242 PCIe NVMe (occupies internal 2.5" SATA bay)
- Internal SATA 2.5" bay (7mm) available for storage expansion (Plenty of vids on youtube on how to access the parts and DIY upgrade: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=thinkpad+e595+m…)
- 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C (DP/PD), 2 x USB 3.1 (1 x AlwaysOn), 1 x USB 2.0, 1x HDMI 1.4b, Ethernet (RJ45), MicroSD, Combo audio/mic jack
- External display output: USB-C: Up to 3840 x 2160 pixels / 60 Hz ; HDMI: Up to 3840 x 2160 pixels / 30 Hz
- Integrated 3-cell 45Wh battery; 65W 3-pin USB Type-C AC Power Adaptor, supports Rapid Charge
- Dimensions (W x D x H) 369 x 252 x 19.9 mm
- Starting at 2.1 kg
Having been available for ~a year now and showing up on OzBargain every now and then, I think the E595 needs no introduction. Quite amazing how it still remains one of the best value laptop for under $900 mark.
Currently at $849.50 , what makes it a deal is Cashreward's increased cashback to 8% of the E series during 2-4pm today, which will make it $787.72 after cashback. (the increased cashback has ended, and now back to 3%. While not as enticing, but still a good laptop at the <$900 price point as mentioned above.)
I'm aware that the laptop has been lower before, but I think many people in the world currently would wish there is a way to turn back time. I'm also aware that the 4000 series is just around the corner (the reviews so far for the limited devices look good, although OEMs are often still quite dragging the new AMD APUs behind with inadequate design decisions). However, the better devices e.g. the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 will be priced at ~US$850, with some guestimation of +10 GST +currency conversion, it'll put it at ~AU$1500 mark which will be a different price category. Also if the new APUs do come to the ThinkPad E series, it'll likely be at the $1000 mark again just like when the E-95 series got released. There's also the concern of whether Lenovo will follow the current intel E chasis to do soldered RAM only for the upcoming gen, which will butcher the Ryzen APU performances if only single memory channel. Overall, I think this is still a good buy for those who need a good solid budget laptop, even at current price point.
The $849.50 config allows no customisation and is quoted to "Ships in 2 business days". The only thing that's worth upgrading is the extra $50 for 512GB NVMe SSD, if that's your preference (so $899.50, thus $834.08 after cashback) but it'll require at least 4 weeks waiting time before shipping ("Ships in more than 4 weeks", i.e. forget about it for most people).
cheers, been waiting for this .