Best Value Lightweight Laptop Preferably with USB C Charging

justwaitingforamate on 10/09/2020 - 15:11

Hi there just getting more unsure the more I research.
Main requirements portability, durability, battery life and reasonable processor.
Laptop will be used for work, local gov so so a weird mix of software. Watching videos, I don't own a TV so screen , traveling
so lightweight and ideally like the option of charging from usb c powerbank.
I usually undershoot as far as specs go due to being rough with laptops and only generally get 2-3 yrs out of them before
catastrophic failure. I am currently using a dell inspiron 11. Which is on its last legs but has been a great budget and highly mobile computer. New line of work will mean a little more processor but not over the top.
I have liked dell mainly for the fact of the good value of the outlet refurbs.

Current thoughts
Dell vostro 13 5391 = around $850 from outlet with 10th gen i5 8GB RAM and 256 SSD, good battery life but no usb-c charging

Dell xps 13 = around $1500 from outlet (more than I really want to spend but ticks a lot of boxes) 10th gen i5 8GB RAM and 256 SSD and that magic screen and excellent battery and usb-c charging. I think this is more computer than I need but is a good fit and am ok spending a bit more if it means better value overall. However on paper I would be paying $700 for a nice screen and usb c charging.

I hear the lenovos or Zenbooks are decent but get confused with the differences between them

I would ideally like Aus stock, not fussed on brand but want something that I can easily look up online to diagnose without Xiaomi like bloatware and no clear instructions.

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • klonky on 10/09/2020 - 15:41
    +1

    The HP Envy 13 x360 is on sale at JB Hifi at the moment. https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/hp-envy-13-ay0095au-x360-…
    You can charge it via USB C or the barrel connector. Review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaeQTuKePC0

  • DannyC on 10/09/2020 - 16:39
    +2

    A few ozbargainers had a few similar enquiries. Give the Asus Zenbook UX425 (Intel 10th gen) or UM425 (AMD Ryzen 4000 series) a look. Has good battery, ultra light, size fits a 14 inch screen in a 13" body, nice materials, type C charging n Thunderbolt 3, quality 1080p matte & bright 400 nit screen, n decent processor options available (both Intel or AMD) etc etc.

    Binglee have the UX425JA (i5 1035G1, 512ssd, 8gb ram) for $1299+ $6 shipping binglee, zenbook ux425 $1299 link though if U can find 16gb ram with the Ryzen processor I'd go with that one though the i5 version is not too bad for your uses.

    • ryban3z on 10/09/2020 - 21:29

      Seconded - Zenbook UM425 Ryzen 4500U processor will meet all your needs and more!

  • justwaitingforamate on 10/09/2020 - 21:02

    Some good options with the Spectre and Zenbook. One other option I didnt think off but after looking more into the Asus and HPs is screen for outdoor use, as this is something that I battle with occasionally. I know the XPS does well in this department and the Zenbook has 400 nit which Im assuming isnt bad for outdoor use.

    • DannyC on 10/09/2020 - 21:36
      +1

      It's not too bad for outdoor use as they use a matte panel though the Apple macbooks have very good screens.

      I'd stay away from glossy panels UNLESS it has enough brightness however those reflections from lights, the sun etc can get very annoying so matte is the way to go for sure.

  • alex-a on 10/09/2020 - 22:58

    I'm in the same boat and heavily leaning towards the Lenovo S540 with AMD Ryzen 7 4800U now. It's 1350~ from memory but you'll need access to the Lenovo edu store. But great specs compared to what else is on offer around the same price (QHD, 16GB, Wifi 6 etc)
    I was looking at all the Zenbooks (i7 10th gen vs AMD 4500 (but the AMD variants only have 8gb RAM vs 16 with the i7). I would've preferred a Ryzen if it came with more ram. DannyC gave me the same good advice. If going for a Zenbook, it may be better to see what's on offer in November when the new ones come out.

    • justwaitingforamate on 11/09/2020 - 11:04

      I do like that one as well but after reading up on it it seems to be usb-c read only not actually capable of charging via usb-c. Otherwise it looks good

      • alex-a on 11/09/2020 - 11:59

        Ah damn. That I didn't know

  • justwaitingforamate on 11/09/2020 - 13:48

    Im still trying to get a definitive answer from Dell if the is capable of actual USB-C charging and not just power delivery (many companies seem overly vague on this) as you get a lot of computer for the price.

  • justwaitingforamate on 22/09/2020 - 21:32

    Ok well I spent more than planed but very happy. I bought a XPS 13 from the Dell outlet. 10th gen i7 with 16GB ram and 1TB SSD for $1,609 so pretty happy with that really. I hadn't actually used an xps before but am very impressed so far.

    • alex-a on 22/09/2020 - 23:24

      Damn that's a pretty good buy. Do you have a link? Was it as new or a refurb?

  • justwaitingforamate on 23/09/2020 - 19:47

    It was a refurb. They sold out as they went on special to clear out stock, seems to be every month or 2. The normal refurb price from the outlet is around 2K for that one https://www.dell.com/en-au/outlet/refurbished-xps-13-9300-la…. They went on sale a day or so after I posted this thread and when I saw it i thought bugger it, spent more but I think great deal in the long run.

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