Laptop Recommendations for Medical Specialty Exams/Large Hours of Study - Budget $2,000

LElementary Watson on 15/01/2023 - 15:26
Last edited 15/01/2023 - 17:17 by 1 other user

Hi everyone. I am about to undertake study for my medical speciality which is recommended to be around 1000 hours of study (most people typically do 800). I want to purchase a new laptop for this but don't know enough about them.

I would be looking for a laptop with good battery life, quality built and a good screen given given I will have a large amount of screen time. I will not have significant graphics requirements. My budget will be up to $2k.

Is anyone able to help me with some recommendations?

Thanks.

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • Pelicannn on 15/01/2023 - 15:30
    +3

    Dell XPS 15 or MacBook Air/Pro

    • HeWhoKnows on 16/01/2023 - 14:36

      The Medical school should provide minimum specs from which you can decide.

  • 87percent on 15/01/2023 - 15:36
    +8

    MacBook Air

  • AndyC1 on 15/01/2023 - 15:40
    -1

    Got to love the amount of detail. Battery life in hrs, screen size in inches and… and…

    Sounds like OP should have visited HN and OW before posting to see what laptops were readily available and which ones had good screen size.

    • Pelicannn on 15/01/2023 - 16:00
      +3

      Mate I’d be down a hobby if I didn’t have OzB threads as easy as this to reply to on a daily basis.

    • elgrande on 15/01/2023 - 17:20
      -3

      OP just flexing.

      • Elementary Watson on 15/01/2023 - 17:30
        +1

        Just wanted to give context for the amount of use the laptop will get on top of full-time work. No flex intended. It is a punishing amount of study to go through.

  • pencilman on 15/01/2023 - 15:42
    +1

    At the stated budget, MacBook Air. No question. Only limitation is screen size, but can pick up a USB-C 27 inch monitor to work on and charge at same time.

  • mauricem on 15/01/2023 - 16:19

    Stepson got through the last 3 years of orthopaedics with an ipad pro with keypad. Had a Macbook air previously but found the ipad better suited. I think all the specialist ipad apps were also a factor in ipad > macbook.

    • bdl on 15/01/2023 - 17:38

      even with the ipad's crappy keyboard (compared to a MBA)?

  • holdenmg on 15/01/2023 - 16:36
    +2

    I want a Laptop with 1000hr Battery too. lol

  • holdenmg on 15/01/2023 - 16:44

    So… do we call you Doctor Watson or Mr Watson?

    • May4th on 15/01/2023 - 17:37
      +1

      depends on whether his specialty is surgical i guess

  • zonra on 15/01/2023 - 16:48

    Went through 4 years of uni with an Intel Macbook Air. Couldn’t fault it for anything.
    Would highly recommend the M1 variant now.

  • KaTst3R on 15/01/2023 - 17:15
    +3

    Our future doctors have no ability to do basic research or googling…

    • Elementary Watson on 15/01/2023 - 17:19
      +3

      You don't feel that asking people with a special interest in the area is considered research?

      • KaTst3R on 15/01/2023 - 17:28
        -4

        If you believe good quality research is asking some random person on the internet, reddit or a forum, our medical industry is so farked.

        • May4th on 15/01/2023 - 17:39
          +7

          well, making post on an online forum where posters frequently make posts by definition makes them heavy users of computers and hence, asking for user experience from this group of people sounds like the exact right thing to do

        • 2025 on 15/01/2023 - 18:02
          +3

          If you believe our medical industry is gonna be so farked, based on our future doctor not relying only on the typical junk reviews and comparisons which are just a rehash of the product brochures, with stupid blue and pink lights behind a talking head, and instead also asking people who use these things for work, without commission, advertising or incentives, your idea of research is borked.

  • bdl on 15/01/2023 - 17:37
    +5

    If you're going to do mega hours of study, grab a good screen and kb/mouse to go with your laptop. Your physio and optometrist will thank you for it.

  • jv on 15/01/2023 - 18:23
    +1

    GRiD Compass are cool…

    • Nugs on 15/01/2023 - 20:03

      "Display 320 × 240"
      Yeah nah
      .

      • jv on 15/01/2023 - 20:20

        "for Medical Specialty Exams"

        Also, they were used in the space shuttle.

  • Azrael169 on 15/01/2023 - 19:10
    +1

    Simple Macbook Air M1 - around $1500, less if you find a sale.

    Mac generally age better than WIndows laptops, their build quality is great and battery life is on point. Fairly idiot proof, and plenty of your medical friends will be using Mac's as well so they can help you if you get stuck

  • screensaver on 15/01/2023 - 20:18
    -2

    I was thinking something you can take with you would be good, eg studying outside or in a quiet cafe for a change of scenery.

    • kerfuffle on 15/01/2023 - 21:20
      +5

      … What do you think laptops are?

      • screensaver on 15/01/2023 - 23:17
        -2

        my laptop which is an acer and is excellent btw is too big to take around, smartie pants

        • kerfuffle on 15/01/2023 - 23:21

          But it's still portable; you could still take it to the cafe if you wanted to. Also, why the name calling?

  • OldSchoolHarry on 16/01/2023 - 02:51
    +2

    Spend $1500 on the laptop and remaining on a monitor, kb and mouse.

  • BrettSh on 16/01/2023 - 09:39

    If you are eligible for a student discount, maybe check this site out:
    https://www.myunidays.com/AU/en-AU/category/all-technology

    I suggest sticking to name brands and also check customer reviews for support:
    https://www.productreview.com.au/c/laptops?price%5B0%5D=2890…
    (Ignore the gaming laptops, they are generally heavy and have mediocre battery life.)

    I currently use a 4 year old Dell XPS 15 which has been the perfect hardware for my work. However, they are outside your budget and Dell Australia don't have good a rep for support. Support is important.

    If you would be happy with a 13 inch screen, a Macbook Air is worth considering, For what my colleagues say, Apple support is good

  • CaptDoc on 16/01/2023 - 10:13

    Just did mine

    Got a MBP 16” Pro.

    Don’t regret it.
    Salary package it.

    • tharlow on 16/01/2023 - 14:40

      It sure is a brick! But with a name like the MacBook Pro 16” Pro, you’d probably expect that. Apple sure has the Pro Pro market cornered

  • Rob-4x4 on 16/01/2023 - 11:00

    Are there any specific software packages you need to use that will only run on either Windozes or Mac ?

    Only reason to get a Windozes laptop would be software compatibility or cost otherwise the Macbooks would be better.

    Something else to consider if you are reading a lot of documentation is an E-Ink display device, these sorts of things.. https://shop.boox.com/collections/eink-tablet#item1

    There is research around (Sorry no references) that strongly suggest better comprehension when reading from E-Ink devices than LCD devices. The hypothesis is the screen refresh of lcd display technologies impacts the brains ability to comprehend what you are reading vs E-Ink and plain old paper were there is no refresh.

  • Leo Getz on 16/01/2023 - 21:51

    Do you have an old device you are replacing? What is it? Windows or Apple?

    Is your phone Android, Apple or something else?

    Would you prefer the laptop is the same or similar to your phone? (e.g. Apple + Apple, doesn't have to be though)

    Will you need a Productivity Suite e.g. MS Office, $ if you don't already have a license, maybe free from UNI?

    Do you want a bigger laptop screen?
    Will you use an external screen, at UNI and/or at home?

    There is a good range of devices on the Dell Outlet site.

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