Need Laptop suggestions - under $2k

73sam on 31/08/2021 - 16:00
Last edited 31/08/2021 - 16:25 by 1 other user

Hi everyone,

Firstly , I’m in a dilemma whether to wait for MacBook M1X or go for Dell laptops 14-15.6”, which are in special on eBay. Dell 15.6

I will install windows on MacBook too if I purchase it, I need windows to work on some softwares like PowerBI and MSBI tools.
My specifications are not fussy.
Current gen i5 or above processor
8 GB or above RAM
Decent internal graphic card
Excellent battery life ( another reason for thinking MacBook)

Couple of years ago I bought Dell G3 3590, it was good but after the one year warranty it started giving problems like- battery needed replacement, fan was replaced and to crackling sound issue, the tech suggested replacing the speaker.

I reset the windows (no more issue with the speaker)and sold it last week.

With keeping these in mind, I don’t want to buy another Dell (unless I extend the warranty) but the above offer is too good.

I’m expecting new M1X MacBook will be available in November but it will be expensive I guess.

So please share your opinions.
I’m very bad at decision making :(

Thank you !!

• 

  FireRunner on 31/08/2021 - 16:09

  +1

  I wouldn't write Dell off, you bought a G3 which is a budget gaming laptop that made many compromises to reach the low price.
  The XPS line is very high quality and the Inspiron range is decent.
  You don't need to buy extended warranty, it's easy to argue that Australian Consumer Law would cover the laptop for a few years in that price range

  • 

    73sam on 31/08/2021 - 16:25

    They replaced the fan for free, battery was 81$ and quoted 155$ for speaker. So I thought if I had for warranty I would have got them replaced for no charge.
    Anyway I wasn’t sure if the tech on chat would understand.

    • 

      FireRunner on 31/08/2021 - 17:09

      Unless obviously faulty, battery degradation is normal and wouldn't be covered under warranty
      Being quoted means they were going to charge you, could have argued that it's not reasonable for a ($1000?, not sure how much you paid) laptop to be faulty after only one year of use

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  Pelicannn on 31/08/2021 - 16:11

  +2

  I’ve got two XPS 9310’s at home. No problem with either. One is HD and one is UHD. Personally I’d opt for HD as battery lasts longer and it’s practically negligible in clarity between the two.

  Build quality is excellent. Charger is small and compact and comes with a free dell pen to write on the screen.

  I get that you see a lot of quality issues for Dell, but my guess is that’s usually because people are generally more vocal on negative aspects online and Dell are a massive company who sell a lot of laptops, desktops and monitors etc.

  • 

    73sam on 31/08/2021 - 16:32

    I was happy with my G3. I had to sell it coz I need something travel friendly.
    My friends XPS had some problems as well but they are very good laptops.

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  Bafranz on 31/08/2021 - 16:13

  +2

  I like the look of the MacBooks.. visually aesthetic but may not matter to you, it’s what’s on the inside that counts ;)

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  crentist on 31/08/2021 - 16:24

  +1

  I don't think windows can be installed on the m1 macbooks, except maybe as a vm

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  Brotality on 31/08/2021 - 16:28

  +4

  HEADS UP
  Apple M1 is an ARM chip that can't run full windows. There are some hacky ways to get Windows 10 for ARM running on there, but it's a pretty horrible experience and can't run most things.

  If windows is a non negotiable requirement, you might need to get a windows machine.

  • 

    raisinberry777 on 31/08/2021 - 16:36

    +2

    This - if Windows is a non-negotiable, then the current crop of M1 laptops aren't going to provide a good experience.

  • 

    73sam on 02/09/2021 - 13:39

    Thanks for the info on M1X.
    I have to look best deals on Dell then :)

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  CrypticM on 31/08/2021 - 16:32

  +3

  Just check ThinkPad range.

  P15S Gen 2 with much better Intel Quadro graphic card is coming around 2K at education store, with 40% discount on base price.

  Core i7 i7-1165G7, 16 or 32 GB RAM and 300Nits display.

  You can consider running Linux on this. May be closer to MacOs.

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  Techie4066 on 31/08/2021 - 17:46

  No need to spend close to $2K.

  All of these likely beat all others on price and battery capacity (67WHr). Specs

  Above laptop in AMD version: List Specs

  There are so many other options from Asus with Nvidia MX or GTX graphics if you need that, it's overwhelming.

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  Haydos90 on 31/08/2021 - 20:18

  +1

  I got an Inspiron 15 7590 (9th gen i7, 16/512/4k with a GTX1650) a year and a half ago, it loves to drain the battery on sleep mode so I have to either plug it in or shut it down properly overnight. Build quality isn't great either, you'd need to go an XPS model for premuim quality in a Dell.

  Planning on replacing it with a M1X 14" macbook pro when they come out, expecting the pricing to match the current Intel 13" macbooks, so starting at ~$2700.

  If you want a mac in your price range I would just go for one of the current M1 models.