Recommendations on Productivity Laptop ~1.8k Budget

LLeonart on 01/06/2023 - 12:30

Hey Gang,

I travel alot for work and I am looking for recommendations for a laptop that is light, good battery life and has a decent screen to watch netflix in my downtime.
I was thinking of a dell XPS and an M2 MacBook air (if discounted enough), however the Dell XPS apparently overheats alot and as an android user I was not sure if I could integrate to the apple ecosystem well, though I am also considering getting a tablet as well.

I would love a laptop that can be charged via USB-C for convenience. I have a gaming laptop with terrible battery life and weights ~2.5kg. The battery pack weighs a tonne.

If anyone has any recommendations or comments about the above machines that would be greatly appreciated :)

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • Sideswipe on 01/06/2023 - 13:06
    +1

    Macbook Air M2 256GB $1749

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 01/06/2023 - 13:51

      An M1 with GB would be my preference.

  • shrugies on 01/06/2023 - 13:08

    Depending on what features you want, I would recommend an 16gb RAM M1 Air if you can get it at a decent price e.g. sealed with receipts off FB market place/gumtree etc or with discounted sole gift cards and using the Apple on Campus site https://www.apple.com/au_edu_5002569/shop/buy-mac/macbook-ai…

    ~$1400 if you can get 10% discounted apple gift cards

    I reckon that’s the best bang for buck and future proof option. M2 Air looks really nice but I couldn’t justify the small upgrades.

    Using the M1 Air, I don’t notice the bezels, I use headphones when watching content so the speakers aren’t an issue, speakers have been good when occasionally listening to Spotify, plenty bright when I’ve used it at home/shops/office/by the window.

    Oh I just read your post properly, you could easily get the base model and it’ll last you ages. I just got the 16gb version because it’s my only pc/laptop and to futureproof based on my interests with basic video editing and I also like using heaps of tabs and multi screens. 8gb wouldn’t have been an issue for me but I got my 16gb for a good deal and peace of mind.

    Really depends on your use case but you could get the base model m1 air and a 9th, maybe 10th gen iPad for around your initial budget of 1.8k for example

    Apple ecosystem won’t take too long to get used to and I think you’d enjoy it. If you’re being a tablet in the future, apples ecosystem is so good and seamless. Next you’ll get the iPhone haha

    Coming from a long time s5, s7, s10, s21 fe Samsung user now on the iPhone 12, previously 8.

  • freefall101 on 01/06/2023 - 13:23

    Just bought an M2 macbook air for the missus, it's just nuts how good it is. Granted, coming from a 2014 Macbook Pro it was a massive upgrade, but the battery lasts forever, screen is amazing, keyboard is really nice, it's hard to beat.

    If battery life is important then M2 all the way. If you need Windows for anything though, it changes the equation.

  • goatonboat on 01/06/2023 - 13:33
    +1

    If you want OSX - just get a M2 Air and be done.

    Otherwise if you want windows, something like this: https://www.computeralliance.com.au/parts?id=35558.

    ASUS Zenbook UX3404VA-M9026W 14.5" OLED Core i5

    Pros:
    - 1.5kg
    - USB C chargable (I think its up to 65w)
    - 120hz oled (non-touch), 16:10 aspect for productivity, 14.5" will "appear" quite big, however laptop body is small
    - HDMI port
    - Wifi 6E
    - Keyboard is awesome

    Cons:
    - Intel processor may be a bit of a power hog, but shouldnt be too bad with a 70whr battery.

    Could wait for a sale, but TBH i daily something similar to this for work and its amazing.

    For another alternative, you could go for a Zenbook S - a 1kg machine - https://www.umart.com.au/product/asus-zenbook-s-13-13-3in-2-… . More money, less battery life, but more portable… Its up to you!

  • Leonart on 01/06/2023 - 14:51

    These are all great options :D
    Thank you all for your recommendations!

    I'll have to check out a zenbook and macbook M2 in person for side by side comparison .

  • jjjaar on 01/06/2023 - 15:16

    I have an xps 15 and it doesn’t overheat. Mine has 3x usb-C, but that’s it - it did come with an adapter for HDMI/usb-A. Haven’t weighed it but I carry it with one hand all the time.

  • JIMB0 on 01/06/2023 - 18:48

    LG Gram. Light weight, long battery life, USB-C, best screen I've seen on a laptop. Just need to wait for a sale.

    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/lg-gram-16-wqxga-evo-ultr…

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