I Would Value Some Laptop Purchase Suggestions Please - Budget $1,500

LAlex88Reese on 08/02/2023 - 09:53
Last edited 08/02/2023 - 11:10 by 2 other users

Hello, can you help?

I would value some Laptop purchase suggestions please.

I posted this earlier, offering payment, but moderator said that is not allowed in OzBargain. I need to wait 1 year then I can post in classifieds. Hopefully I can gain some assistance before then.

I need to buy a home Laptop for MS Office and Basic Music / Video Editing.
A dedicated graphics card might be suitable, I am not sure.
The ability to upgrade RAM and SSD is good, but prefer if it comes stock with something like 16 / 512 (or more) SSD
Modern Wi-Fi and USB
Needs HDMI and plenty of ports.
Ethernet is handy, I can plug a dock into it.
Budget Max $1.5k.

Previously someone commented as to why I don't do this myself (research my own Laptop). My response is that this task seems very complicated to me. When I see how a pro reviews a PC, I look and think, OMG! So, that is why I am asking for help.

Thanks for reading and have a great day.

All PM welcomed.

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 08/02/2023 - 10:05
    +1

    Hi, Acer have reasonable prices on replacement screens if you break the screen on one. IE $150 to $300 depending on type, whereas a HP can be @ $750.

    Also, Macbooks are good value for money (The screens are expensive to replace though- $750+).

    • CascadeHush on 08/02/2023 - 18:54

      That’s good to hear. It’s been some years since I was fixing laptops, but Acer always was one of the best for parts availability and cost. I’ve always tended to prefer Acer since then and never had one go wrong.

      I sound like such a shill.

    • HeWhoKnows on 10/02/2023 - 10:23

      I would think such laptop recommendations are a NO-brainer

      One simply looks for the highest processor with the most RAM and the largest SSD.
      (Intel processor is usually better performance and better resale value)

      Brand is not important except for after sale service where Dell and HP excel, if that is important to you.
      Inside they are all mostly the same - Intel motherboards.
      Some have AMD but unless significantly cheaper Id go with an intel processor.

      For $1500 you should be able to get one with a nice fast Core i7, 16GB RAM and at least 500GB SSD

      No point in making specific recommendations, as with any good deals stock runs out quickly!
      So it comes down to whats available in stock at your local store

  • George Washington on 08/02/2023 - 10:06
    +2

    Surface Pro.

    I own one from the 700 dollar deal. Best thing ever.

    • ThithLord on 08/02/2023 - 10:07
      +1

      plenty of ports

      The only item missing maybe? Nor any HDMI, so OP would need an adaptor. If they're cool with adaptors, then it'd be a fine purchase

      • George Washington on 08/02/2023 - 10:16
        +2

        Get a dock. I bought a dock.

        I use the dock when fixed to the dual screen monitors.

        Unplug move around when needed

        • ThithLord on 08/02/2023 - 10:18
          +1

          That's at least another $200 for the Surface Dock, but they can use any old USB-C dock I guess

  • CrispyChrispy on 08/02/2023 - 10:17
    +3

    Does it need to be a laptop? You can find much better specced PCs than laptops for the same price, and most likely with more ports.

  • boomramada on 08/02/2023 - 10:30
    +2

    OP visit JB or GG or HN
    Pick what size monitor you want, HD size and RAM.
    If its around 13" usually hardware aren't upgradable.
    Most support Modern Wifi and USB
    If you want plenty of ports, can always get an adapter/dock.

    Then put the price and short list few. With a budget of $1.5, I don't think you get much of a choice.

    Give it a try!

    • jv on 08/02/2023 - 10:46
      +6

      visit JB or GG or HN

      I doubt Justin Bieber, Gal Gadot and Harry Nilsson would know much about laptops…

      • boomramada on 08/02/2023 - 11:14
        +3

        It seems JB probably knows more about laptops than OP

        • BewareOfThe Dog on 08/02/2023 - 12:28

          If it helps, here is the [address](Oaks Memorial Park in Westlake Village California) to HN, and a map

  • jv on 08/02/2023 - 10:32
    +8

    Ethernet is handy, I can plug a dock into it.

    No you can't.

    You might damage the ethernet port if you try.

  • kerfuffle on 08/02/2023 - 11:06
    +7

    Ethernet is handy, I can plug a dock into it.

    That's not what the Ethernet port is for.

    • nuker on 08/02/2023 - 12:17
      -2

      its for phone lines, dial-up internet

      • kerfuffle on 08/02/2023 - 12:44
        +1

        Not for dial-up internet. I'm connected via Ethernet to my work's network

        • nuker on 08/02/2023 - 13:04
          -3

          That's not what the Ethernet port is for.

          • boomramada on 08/02/2023 - 13:38

            @nuker: Are you try to be funny or stuck in a cell for last 30 years?

  • freefall101 on 08/02/2023 - 12:46
    +4

    Previously someone commented as to why I don't do this myself (research my own Laptop). My response is that this task seems very complicated to me. When I see how a pro reviews a PC, I look and think, OMG! So, that is why I am asking for help.

    So you created a new account and asked again? What was wrong with the other answers in your post?

    • plmko on 08/02/2023 - 15:18

      You caught Ozb mods spoofing topics.

  • Alex88Reese on 08/02/2023 - 15:25
    +1

    Thanks everyone for your great advice, much appreciated.

    @jv, That is exactly the type of example for why I need help, thanks for pointing that out. I used to use that port for connecting to my Toshiba Dynadock.

    @freefall101, I just posted the question again without the offer of paying someone. I didn't need a new account.
    The moderator just deleted the post.

    Cheers folks,

    • Eeples on 08/02/2023 - 21:50
      +2

      You plug the Toshiba Dynadock into the USB port of the laptop.

      Your new laptop might not have an ethernet port. And that's fine as the dock doesn't use it to connect to the laptop.

      Having said that your dock will 'give you' an ethernet port that you can use.

      The ethernet port is used to plug in the internet (but most ppl use home wifi to connect to the internet on laptops).

      Do you have wifi at home?

  • Alex88Reese on 09/02/2023 - 09:50

    @Eeples, Hi and thank you for your comment.
    I have made a mistake about the Dynadock port.
    It is the blue coloured port that I was connecting old laptop to the Dynadock.
    The cable looks like a 'printer cable' but it is different.
    Not sure of the name, but it is not ethernet, as described in my earlier post.
    And yes, I have wifi at home, I just use the hub for dual monitors and extra ext HDD etc.

    And you are right, I can also use a USB port to connect the hub, so it doesn't have to have that other style port.
    And it does not need ethernet.

    Main thing is the speed / memory to manage 20 open tabs and a few microsoft suite apps and 2 or 3 other programs (Adobe pdf program, etc), all simultaneously.

    And then, enough power to run basic audio edit using Audacity, and video edit using…wondershare and similar apps. Not as large as a full blown editor such as photoshop etc.

    And I do want to find and use a good photo album program that operates locally. I have a huge data base of photos I want to organise and edit.

    Maybe I can PM you?
    Tx again.

  • ODoG on 09/02/2023 - 14:30
    +2

    Wait for the ASUS ROG Flow X13 to reach the $1500 mark
    But till then, Surface Pro would be the one to get

  • ColtNoir on 09/02/2023 - 15:58
    +2

    M1 MacBook Air with a usb hub

  • cngu0803 on 09/02/2023 - 21:53
    +1

    I swear by the lenovo s7i evo, fits your range too with top specs & nice screen.

    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/lenovo-yoga-s7i-pro-evo-1…

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