hi there, I'm looking for recommendations for a notebook for general web browsing/studying. Budget is around a grand. Would prefer a screen at least 14". Touchscreen would be preferred but not essential. Any recommendations would be very appreciated.
Best value notebook (less than $1k)
![](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/g/38.jpg)
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…and having nothing useful to contribute to the world, some grammer nasi looser* decided to post this: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/555616
Im probability misting the point butt how come your posting that in this thread rather then in a thread by the grammar questioner?
Because that thread was closed on the OP's request after his comments were nullified and his own grammar use was criticised for lack of apostrophes.
Oh, I thought there was something more to it that I was missing which is why it was posted in this particular thread.
From memory, there was also a question mark at the the end of a statement and also a sentence that was finished with “but”, however I’m far from a grammar expert so glasshouses and all that.@mapax: Hence why OP requested to close the thread once they realised that they had no right to criticise others' use of the English language when their own use was perfect :)
Because that thread was closed
I put the link in because I thought the @OP might be amused (or horrified) at the 'help' some members like to offer.
It's only just now I've realised the the thin-skinned grammer nasi looser picked up his ball and went home. Lolz. Perhaps he'll stay there. For god's sake people, is that all you have to contribute to society? A smug sense of pretend superiority over a few typos?
Sorry @OP, no idea on laptops. Mine is ancient 'cos I'm too cheap to get a new one!
Mine is ancient 'cos I'm too cheap to get a new one!
Mine is ancient ‘cos I can’t afford a reasonable one!
It’s an R52 ThinkPad with a date of 06/06, might have to retire it soon though as, aside from it being slow, the housing has started cracking really bad. It’s got a linux distro and a combo of libre office and word online gets the job done, just.
I will have to get one of those refurb desktops soon though.
I'm trying to order through this site but its coming up as $1529 for the laptop (e14 gen2 (amd)). Any idea what I'm doing wrong?
Did you use an edu email?
yep i went through the unidays website, verified the edu email address then was diverted to the lenovo website but the price comes up as $1.5k for some reason.
https://imgur.com/gallery/NENMs8A
Any ideas what I'm doing wrong?
dell xps refub, or apple refurb
I went here (https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https:/…) but they're all the xps laptops are $1500 and over. Is this the right place for refurb laptops?
get an inspiron then refurb
Got the Dell Inspiron 15 7591 for just under a grand (from the Dell eBay 20% offer). Thanks everyone for the advice here.
You say "at least 14"", but, not sure you know, 15.6" laptops tend to be cheaper than 14" ones for the same specs. The 15.6" ones allow for bigger components inside the case, and have less of a heat constraint because of the extra space.
I didn't know that bigger screens are cheaper and to be honest, I would have preferred a smaller form factor but this one seems decent for the price and includes a touch screen ($983).
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/324250126958
What do you guys think?
Not bad. I'm considering one of those myself, but it doesn't seem to be taking the coupon code (even though it's marked for it on Dell's eBay listings).
It looks like the code expired last night: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/554554
So you may have just missed it. however this was another one I was considering for $1,029 (https://www.dell.com/en-au/outlet/refurbished-inspiron-14-54…). Same CPU and ram, bigger SSD, smaller form factor but refurbished and you might be able to get another 5%-10% through cashrewards or shopback, etc.
@ialam99: Ah, you already got yours!
That one looks pretty good. Techno Panda likes it a lot. (albeit with the i7-105190u instead)
I'd really like one with Ryzen 4700u (or at least 4500u), though. I just want to click export on DaVinci Resolve (free, mind you) and for the video to be ready after a sip of coffee XD
That's really the only computationally intensive task I require, and my now defunct MBA 2011 was a real time waster at it.
@wisdomtooth: In that case hang tight for the weekend, lenovo had some deals over the last two weekends on their e14 and e15 gen 2 AMDs so you might get lucky. They don't have touchscreen though but have a better processor and graphics card.
@ialam99: I did get a quote from them for a e14 gen 2 with 4700u for under $1000, which they're now saying they can't honour. The rep who quoted it to me says she's still trying, but also said Lenovo blocked the reps from accessing some system in which they had access to unadvertised models.
Either way, I confess I'm not terribly excited about it. Grunt power, yes, I'm sure it'll have, but the Thinkpads look so old and ugly. They look exactly the same as the one I had from work over 20 years ago! C'mon, I want something pretty XD I've been spoiled by Apple for the last 7 years. I'd much prefer one of them IdeaPads (preferably Flex, or at least Slim, if the performance is the same), with the Ryzens, of course. But… can't get that either (unless on eBay from the US, i.e. no warranty in Oz).
Also, of the few reviews I found on the e14s, they all said the display is rather dim (at 250 nits).
@wisdomtooth: BTW 20% cash back through cashrewards for 2 hours only.
ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 (AMD)
Web Price:$1,729.00Sale Price:$950.95
$760 for this after cashbackIf I hadn't purchased already I would probably get that one. There are also some upgrade options available.
@ialam99: Isn't it worth cancelling and reordering? I might do that. I ended up getting this one for the better screen (300 > 250 nits), bigger trackpad, better looks and earlier delivery (it also comes with 512Gb > 256Gb of your config). I paid $1059 through Student Beans. So, should I switch back to the ThinkPad? Why?? What I'd really like is this one.
@wisdomtooth: I got an email early today saying the dell is on its way so I suspect its too late to cancel for me. But the specs on the thinkpad look amazing so well worth it I reckon. And the bigger hard drive is a bonus.
@ialam99: Dunnit: cancelled it. Will either get the same or the i5-1035G1 Flex (the best one they have ready to ship) with the 20% cashback (thanks!). Any thoughts? Or do you still think the E14 Gen2 is best?
@wisdomtooth: The IdeaPad Slim 5, 14" seems like it only has soldered ram. So if you want to upgrade it, you'll need to upgrade it now. I think on the e14, ram can be upgraded later. 8gb of ram is quite limiting so minimum 16gb is probibly better.
With the e14, I think you can add in a second ram later as well as a second HDD so it feels like you can upgrade it in a couple of years to extend its life.
Thinkpad E14 Gen 2 AMD is your pick. Should be another OzB deal soon