Please Help Me Choose between These 6 Laptops by Tomorrow - or Suggest a Different One

chewbot on 12/08/2023 - 16:46

Hi,

My daughter's laptop has fallen apart and I need to replace it by tomorrow. She's in year 10, academically and musically inclined and rediculously studious. Doesn't game beyond the occasional Roblox or Minecraft. Does do a bit of music composition. She also uses it for online violin lessons sometimes, so a decent built in webcam and mic is a consideration. Having said that if the online lessons end up going for a while we will probably invest in a more dedicated webcam setup.
She also uses it for Art but that is unlikely to be a major consideration in years 11 and 12.

Requirements:
Fairly light
13.3 to 14 inches
Fairly tough.
Decently bright screen (not sure how important that is but 300nits minimum)
16GB Ram (or very easily upgraded)
Windows 11 (or suitable for upgrade)
Strong preference for touchscreen with a pen.

$1000 to $1500 (but can stretch slightly if really worth while)

NEEDS TO BE OBTAINABLE FROM A PHYSICAL STORE THAT IS OPEN IN BRISBANE TOMORROW (SUNDAY) - which kinda sucks.

I have been going mental trying to find actual specs for some of the specific models. I really liked the look of the tough build of the Asus Expertbooks but have pretty much given up on them due to the combination of reviews saying poor brightness and different variants that don't have reviews or even thorough specs.

eg
https://www.computeralliance.com.au/asus-expertbook-b3402fea…

https://www.computeralliance.com.au/asus-expertbook-b5402fea…

Main contenders

Lenovo 14" EVO Yoga 7i 2-in-1 Laptop i5/16GB/512GB Win11H $1297

https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/lenovo-14-…

discussed here:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/789577

Lenovo 14" IdeaPad Flex 5i 2-in-1 Laptop Core i7/16GB/512GB $1437

https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/lenovo-14-…

Lenovo T14s Yoga Gen2 14" Touch Core i7 Laptop Win 11 Pro 21DM002BAU $1499

https://www.computeralliance.com.au/lenovo-t14s-yoga-gen2-14…

Asus VivoBook Flip S 14" FHD 2-in-1 Laptop (512GB) [Ryzen 7] $1599

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/asus-vivobook-flip-s-14-f…

Lenovo Yoga 7i EVO 14-inch i7-1260P/16GB/1TB SSD 2 in 1 Device $1498

https://www.harveynorman.com.au/lenovo-yoga-7i-evo-14-inch-i…

Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5 14-inch R7-7730U/16GB/512GB SSD 2 in 1 Device $1444

https://www.harveynorman.com.au/lenovo-ideapad-flex-5-14-inc…

Appreciate any input.

Thanks.

Computing Computer Laptop Lenovo

Comments

  • RowanLucas on 12/08/2023 - 16:58

    This (Link) is very good. Ticks all of your boxes, has OLED touch screen at 90Hz which is brillant, and fast shipping. Edit: Nvm, OP needs to buy from physical store, but if you don't mind waiting a few days, this is a great option.

    • chewbot on 12/08/2023 - 17:19
      +1

      Thanks anyway. It's been frustrating timing too say the least.

  • Look Up on 12/08/2023 - 17:08
    +2

    The 13th Gen Yoga 7i EVO + OLED touch screen is easily the best

    Nothing else comes close plus it is a walk in purchase at Officeworks

    Plenty of C&C stock in QLD:

    Store Quantity
    Upper Mt Gravatt 4
    West Burleigh 4
    Adelaide St, 3
    Aspley 3
    Capalaba 3
    Milton 3
    Pimpama 3
    Rockhampton 3
    Toowoomba 3
    Browns Plains 2
    Bundaberg 2
    Gladstone 2
    Hermit Park 2
    Hervey Bay 2
    Ipswich 2
    Loganholme 2
    Mackay 2
    Maroochydore 2
    Morayfield 2
    Nerang 2
    Noosaville 2
    North Lakes 2
    Oxley 2
    Rothwell 2
    Strathpine 2
    Warana 2
    Windsor 2
    Cairns 1
    • chewbot on 12/08/2023 - 17:15
      +1

      Thanks for that ChatGPT.

      My main concern was whether it was tough enough. I had yoga model years ago that was very flimsy. But to be fair that was when the badge first launched.

      • Look Up on 12/08/2023 - 17:21
        +1

        Get a nice sleeve in a colour your daughter likes and she will look after it

        Also check if her programs have dark or reverse colour schemes (especially for music composition) because OLED's save a lot of battery life when the majority of the display image is dark or black

        • chewbot on 12/08/2023 - 17:36

          Thanks. I didn't even consider colour schemes oled battery interaction.

  • Diverse on 12/08/2023 - 17:14
    +1

    Is the OS of Windows a must? M1/2 Macbook Air could be a consideration.

    • chewbot on 12/08/2023 - 17:17

      Fair point. But yes Windows is a must. Despite being an Apple fan girl, she tells me Apple doesn't play nice with the numerous elements of the schools IT set up (or vice versa depending on your perspective).

  • chewbot on 12/08/2023 - 18:01
    +3

    Purchased the yoga 7i evo!

    None on floor (at Garden City /Upper Mount Gravatt) and the staff member was thoroughly confused but got there in the end.

    Woohoo!

  • nuker on 12/08/2023 - 19:07
    +1

    Macbook of course!

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