Laptop for Someone That Mainly Uses It for Watching Netflix - Budget $1,000

jc123 on 10/01/2022 - 12:37
Last edited 10/01/2022 - 19:48 by 1 other user

Hi there, my partner's looking for a new laptop.

Her Microsoft Surface Go (Gen 1) had its screen damaged and costs $350 to repair.., so not really not sure its really worth repairing at that price anymore.

What matters most is in terms of priority:

1) Light weight
2) Good battery
3) Decent screen

Screen size can be 13-14 inches. What matters most is it being light with decent battery. Honestly her use case is mostly streaming Netflix/Disney+, with occasional emails/document writing/browsing on the side, thus specs like dedicated graphics card, big storage, high RAM aren't really important at all. Given her use case, I think of a budget range of <$1k is good enough, which is why I'm asking for any recommendations as that cuts a lot of easy/mindless options like a MacBook Air or a Lenovo Yoga Slim 7, or the Asus Zenbook which easily hit her priorities. I don't want to go too cheap as build quality/longevity of the product matters too (which is what makes MacBook rather appealing/ but too pricy).

I'm completely opposite as I use my laptop for rendering/gaming and it sits at my table most of the time, so I'm a not experienced in this area of the laptop market (I have Lenovo Legion 5 Pro which is a heavy workhorse). Her prior laptop experiences include a MacBook when she was a uni student >5 years ago, and Microsoft Surface Go (gen 1 ; found 10 inches a bit too small) most recently if that helps.

EDIT: After speaking to her, she wants a 'laptop' and not just a 'tablet' with keyboard add-on; even though in my mind the boundaries are now blurred and the latter probably is better for her use case, she seems set on a more conventional laptop (she's predicting she'll need to be more productive/study in the near-future - even though I don't see how you can't study on a tablet either…). Anyways, hope to hear more 'laptop' recommendations like a Zenbook or Lenovo Yoga Slim that is within the cheaper budget

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • djones145 on 10/01/2022 - 12:54
    +1

    is she using this on the move or at home
    u should consider something like a separate TV and something that cast, chromecast from phone

    or even a tablet, if on the move, bit smaller though

    • jc123 on 10/01/2022 - 13:41

      Mainly at home.
      No space in her room for a separate TV.
      She tends to just uses it almost like a tablet and sits in bed with it (hence the prior Microsoft Surface Go). However the Surface Go was a little bit small. Kinda need the keyboard option for actual productivity at times (not a fan of on screen keyboard).

  • Axelstrife on 10/01/2022 - 12:58
    +4

    What matters most is in terms of priority:
    1) Light weight
    2) Good battery
    3) Decent screen

    Have you thought about a Samsung Galaxy tab S7 FE? they are 12.4" and ticks all the above boxes but screen size is slightly smaller.

    • jc123 on 10/01/2022 - 13:45

      Not a bad idea honestly, thanks for making me aware of it (seems like a much larger/fancier Microsoft Surface Go).
      She does need a keyboard though, and I can see the keyboard cover costs $240. Alongside with the price of the Samsung Galaxy tab S7 FE being around $800 is does push the price a bit above the estimated budget range. But I'll keep a look out for deals for it and watch some reviews.
      Cheers

  • AustriaBargain on 10/01/2022 - 13:04

    The 13 inch iPad Pro would be great, maybe someone is trying to sell an older one for under 1k.

  • mooney on 10/01/2022 - 13:21
    +9

    This sounds like a perfect case for a decent chromebook.

    This one on Amazon is sub $1000- Amoled screen which I'd guess is the single most important spec, great build quality. As its chromebook it'll get updates for years:
    Samsung XE930QCA-K02US Galaxy Chromebook (256GB Storage, 8GB RAM), Mercury Gray 13.3" UHD AMOLED 3840 x 2160

    This is kinda where I would start.

    • vinnychase on 10/01/2022 - 13:27
      +1

      plus I believe you'll also get the proper android apps of the streaming services right which play in better quality(due to better DRM than web browsers) and let you download shit offline?. Chromebook can run android apps right?

      • mooney on 10/01/2022 - 13:28

        Yep, for sure. I had the cheapy Lenovo Duet for a while and it ran them like a champ.

    • jc123 on 10/01/2022 - 13:48

      Thanks I can see that one! I'll let her look at it and see what she thinks.
      Never really looked at Chromebooks properly before, as I've always needed a full-fledged OS, but given her use case, it probably is viable option.

      • mooney on 10/01/2022 - 14:01
        +3

        Sounds to me exactly what Chromebooks were designed for. Plus they similar to Ipads in that it's hard to screw things up. They are good simple OS's for people who don't really need advanced controls. With access to Android apps your partner can do Office stuff plus have access to Googles Office suit like Docs, Slides etc.

  • YadaYadaYada on 10/01/2022 - 13:29

    Why not get one of the Mi Pad 5 or similar floating around for around 500? Great for the streaming services and casual browsing etc and you can always dock a keyboard if you want to.

  • SydStrand on 10/01/2022 - 13:31

    A potato can stream Netflix. Just shop for 13" with FHD, sort by $-$$$

    • jc123 on 10/01/2022 - 13:55

      Thanks, but not looking for just any potato. Also looking for good battery life + and light weight + and decent build quality.
      Picture the type of person that used to sit in bed with a Macbook, so there are some standards they really value (portability/slimness [honestly looks > hardcore specs]). But given their usage case, they don't really need a Macbook.
      Not really looking for a chunky potato to throw away in 2 years time which a lot of the laptops <$500 look like.

    • Indomietable on 10/01/2022 - 15:03

      If the primary objective is to watch Netflix /Disney+ then you need a device capable of Widevine L1. A potato might be able to stream Netflix but you might get really low resolution while consuming battery much faster.

  • jv on 10/01/2022 - 13:34
    -1

    Laptop for Someone That Mainly Uses It for Watching Netflix

    ebay

  • Sage222 on 10/01/2022 - 15:15

    Get an Android tablet

  • Indomietable on 10/01/2022 - 15:21
    +1

    Lenovo Yoga Tab for ~$810.

    It has Widevine L1 , 13" screen, weight less than 900g , 4 JBL speakers with Dolby Atmos.
    The tablet can also be used as TV for your game console. You can connect Bluetooth keyboard /mouse

  • Green peas on 10/01/2022 - 15:24
    +2

    Have you had a look at the dell outlet? It has pretty decent laptops for around the $1000 mark, the XPS13 like the one below ($1079). They are thin, light, decent screen and battery. These (XPS13) are one of the best windows laptop you can buy.

    I have had one for about 6 years now, never skipped a beat.

    Example: https://www.dell.com/en-au/outlet/refurbished-xps-13-9305-la…

  • Mokr on 10/01/2022 - 16:00
    +1

    I don't want to go too cheap as build quality/longevity of the product matters too

    its for watching netflix at home. it will survive. just make sure its fanless.

  • greatlamp on 10/01/2022 - 21:48

    Some other ideas:
    Get a 27 inch monitor and plug an Android phone to it with a USB C hub

    Can get a usb keyboard and mouse for desktop experience

    Otherwise I would suggest the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 Pro Gen 6 14 inch.

    The screen is beautiful, bit over $1000 on education Website at the moment

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/670712

    • terrys on 11/01/2022 - 12:54
      +2

      That doesn't quite address the "light" requirement. "Portable" is more axiomic given the qualifications the O.P. tendered ness pah?

  • ColtNoir on 11/01/2022 - 10:08
    +1

    I know you said MacBook air’s are too expensive but and entry level MacBook Air with a student/work discount will get it down to $1350 usually. Something to consider.

    Or if you can get jbhifi vouchers discounted through your work wait for a 10% discount sale on macs and then combine the two.

    I bought a Lenovo yoga a few years back for similar purposes and when I had to do some typing I absolutely hated the keyboard.

    • jc123 on 11/01/2022 - 13:16

      Cheers, I'll keep it as a consideration. Given the decent product longevity (and prior familiarity) of a MacBook Air it might be something worth considering. I know the older Macbook air keyboards were reportedly horrible (butterfly switches), so I'll probably get my partner to drop in a store and test typing on some laptops to see how picky they are in that regard.

  • terrys on 11/01/2022 - 12:52

    A little bit of overkill for a media player don't you think? It's a bit like grabbing an i9 with an RTX 3060 to play Minesweeper…

    • jc123 on 11/01/2022 - 13:12

      I get that assessment, I truly do. But even if objectively what they're wanting/wishing for is significantly overkill/higher than their actual use case, all you can do is find a decent compromise and try to find a product that is affordable whilst retains the elements they value most.
      It already took me a fair amount of explaining to my partner that they won't need to splurge $1800 on a new laptop, given the most intensive game she has ever played on a laptop is minesweeper, and all she does is watch videos, read emails/reddit, and write the occasional document/report. I believe the fact that they used to use a Macbook as a university student back in the day which lasted for >5 years has sorta spoiled them and set a level of expectation in terms of portability and build quality even if budget-wise it really doesn't make sense for her to spend that much on a laptop.

  • terrys on 11/01/2022 - 13:02
    +1

    Are you a Costco member? This just dropped:

    https://www.costco.com.au/Computers-Tablets-Mobile-Phones/La…

    • jc123 on 11/01/2022 - 13:13

      I'm not, but they are, so I'll shoot the suggestion through. Thanks, appreciate it :)

  • Laziofogna on 11/01/2022 - 17:12

    If you are after a good screen mainly because of Netflix, consider you can use a Chromecast and watch on TV and focus more on the other aspects of the laptop

    • jc123 on 11/01/2022 - 18:01

      They watch mainly in their bedroom which doesn't have space/layout for a TV. Kinda looking for a laptop with features that prioritises their habit of of using it to mainly watch shows

  • Axelstrife on 12/01/2022 - 22:42

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/677214

    13.3" OLED full HD for $599 im not sure you can get much better than this.

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