Laptop for Study (just Word, powerpoint, MS Teams etc) and Web Surfing

Lsouljah on 16/01/2023 - 18:18

Any suggestions that fit the below needs? Thanks you so much for any help in advance!

Use: mother in law for study, websurfing, needs to last her 3+years
Price: anything under $1k but closer to $500 is nice (refurbed is ok)
Weight: Light (doesn't need to be the lightest but under 1.4kg max. closer to 1kg would be amazing)
Screen: 13-14" that is over 300nits and looks decent (FHD/1080p is fine)
CPU: 8th gen or newer if refurbed (or ryzen equivalent) and preferably 16gb (but maybe 8gb is ok)

As long as battery last 5-6hrs it will be fine and absolutely no need for any gaming or creative work.

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • Switchblade88 on 16/01/2023 - 20:15

    Have you considered a Chromebook? Excellent battery life, and generally cheaper than an equivalent Win10 machine.

    You can also get touchscreen/foldable versions so you can install Android apps and play like a tablet which can be a big selling point for MILs…

    • p1 ama on 17/01/2023 - 01:03
      +1

      ChromeOS is not really suitable for Word, PPT, MS Teams…etc., the online web versions still have plenty of missing features and are just simply not as robust and reliable as the desktop versions.

    • souljah on 17/01/2023 - 08:29

      I have a Chromebook and agree with other comment that it just doesn't cut it with Microsoft which is a shame as that was my first idea until I ran through her main use case.

  • p1 ama on 17/01/2023 - 01:02
    +1

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/751411

    This would have been perfect, might be worth keeping an eye out to see if they have more coming.

    This won't be as good, but is another option that's worth considering for ~$800: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/175501669042

    FWIW, I would focus most on the usability - you don't need that much processing power for this type of usage (i.e. MS Office, web browsing, watching videos…etc.) but whether a computer is a good experience or not depends on how usable it actually is. Things like having a good, high resolution, bright display, comfortable keyboard, good materials and build quality are all super important.

    In this regard, you're better off finding something that is used, but 1 or 2 generations old, as opposed to something newer, but cheaper.

    • souljah on 17/01/2023 - 08:36

      Agree, that deal would have been perfect. The irony is I was at JB hi-fi helping return a way over specced $1500 laptop she didn't need and can't afford when it dropped and missed out.

      Agree that refurbed is the way, she definitely values quality built and aesthetics. Nice screen, build quailty and lightness are the 3 main priorities.

      Seen any other refurb deals worth looking at? I had a look through Dell refurb site and eBay refurb but my knowledge just ain't there to know if any are a good deal.

    • souljah on 17/01/2023 - 10:56

      Any suggested brand/models that are 1-2 generations old that I can short list for my hunt?

  • Minheim on 17/01/2023 - 08:41

    I would buy new for better battery condition and if MIL wants to keep it for 3 years+. I have had good service out of Acer aspire 5 laptops bought new. 2 units now that are 4 old and haven't missed a beat. Pretty light to carry and move.about. Only thing is they are a 15.6" screen as against a 14".

  • evol on 20/01/2023 - 05:07

    HP Elitebook 830 (13” screen) or 840 (14”). G5 or G6 (preferable) generation.

    Plenty of refurb units on eBay with varying condition, cpu and memory configs but a nice spec can be had for around $500-600 if you search around and use eBay promo codes.

    Or an equivalent model from Dell Latitude range. Enterprise-grade laptops are better built and have large refurb volumes - perfect for your use case.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join