Need Help in Finalising a Laptop for My Child - Budget $1100

Sunny10 on 02/01/2024 - 12:11
Last edited 02/01/2024 - 13:04 by 1 other user

Hi Everyone, Looking to buy a decent laptop for my daughter for Year 7 High School.

Currently tossing between HP ProBook 445 14 inch G10 Laptop and ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 AMD

If I add 16GB RAM and 512SSD in Lenovo, along with a 3-year onsite warranty, it costs me $1000.52 while HP comes with 8GB RAM,,256 GB SSD, 3 years onsite warranty and Wireless Keyboard and Mouse 300 for $1069.00. No accidental coverage is included with Lenovo and HP both.

Schools only have said need 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD at least with 14 Inch screen and a decent battery life of 8 to 10 hrs.

Could you please advice on the best value for money and durability in terms of both brands?

Appreciate any help.

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

altomic on 02/01/2024 - 12:21

+5

I just bought a second hand hp g4 w/ 8gb ram &256gb ssd. Battery life is ~8 hours (my daughters experience) from ebay for ~$150 delivered.

Its more than enough for year 10. And if it gets broken then im not going to lose sleep.

For all my kids i bought an inexpensive laptop and then updated every 3 years or so.

My concern was accidental breakage as my kids have told multiple stories of kids at school whose laptops have met unfortunate ends.
- Sunny10 on 02/01/2024 - 12:27
  
  Do you have a link pls?
  - altomic on 02/01/2024 - 15:10
    
    Sorry, only 128gb ssd - link
- mskeggs on 02/01/2024 - 13:11
  
  +4
  
  100% agree. An 8th gen ex-lease laptop around $200-$300, and you can replace it when they are heading into yr11 with a 10th/11th gen for a similar price by then.
  Saves $400, or at least leaves room in the budget should the device get lost or destroyed.
  Computers are not used in the classroom like they are at an office - it is common for my kids to not use a computer at all many days.
  - rumblytangara on 02/01/2024 - 13:17
    
    +2
    
    This is pretty much what I just did.
    
    Disposable $350 ex-corporate laptop, going on the assumption that there is a 30% chance that it gets totally destroyed within the first 3 years. If it survives but the battery starts to die off, then I replace the battery for $100 or so.
    
    No need for 16GB RAM or a 512 SSD as mostly it will be accessing websites, and there's a desktop with a proper monitor and keyboard at home instead of the ergonomically crap laptop.
    
    If I were to buy a totally new laptop, I would be far more interested in accidental breakage insurance than a 3 year hardware warranty. Was chatting to someone the other day who mentioned that a bunch of laptops at school got broken when some kid decided that it would be fun to take a running jump onto a pile of school bags.
- Chandler on 03/01/2024 - 11:37
  
  My exact thought process also. Get a used/refurb. They don't need huge performance for school, especially primary / lower secondary. For senior secondary, yeah might need something performant (depending what subjects they take) but apart from that used/refurb all the way. even senior high I'd just get a better refurb/used model. Hell, my next machine is probably going to be a refurb.
  
  Unless you're gaming or processing lots of data (i.e. video editing), any <$1k new (<$500 used/refurb) machine should be more than enough.
nephilim on 02/01/2024 - 12:41

The 470 is only a slightly more and is the top of the range for HP generic office range:
https://www.jw.com.au/product/hp-pb-470-g10-17-3-fhd-i5-1335…

Its what we use at work, mine is 3 years old and no issues. I would go with HP honestly.
soulblighter on 02/01/2024 - 12:51

-1

Have been a windows user for over 2 decades now, but if you don't really have to go with windows, go with a MAC m1 student pricing.

They outperfrom windows laptops hands down and I've been using one for the last 2+ years and never slows down

https://www.apple.com/au-hed/shop/buy-mac/macbook-air/13-inc…
- payless69 on 02/01/2024 - 15:22
  
  -1
  
  you get one neg, I got 5.
  I hate Apple but my Macbook M1 is my steady travel compannion because of its all metal case and small charger, good display, good sound and plausible keyboard. I run a Kmart bluetooth mouse with it.
  - rumblytangara on 02/01/2024 - 15:45
    
    +2
    
    I think those negs were for reading comprehension :)
payless69 on 02/01/2024 - 13:21

-5

If your kid is gonna go to uni
get her a Zenbook
or a Macbook
- Jake D on 02/01/2024 - 13:45
  
  -1
  
  that's 6 years away
  - rumblytangara on 02/01/2024 - 14:01
    
    +1
    
    Avatar fits.
  - payless69 on 02/01/2024 - 15:21
    
    -2
    
    She should start in 3 but I know it sounds like a long time.
    For uni I bought our girl a Corolla without power steer to do law. Reason for her to quit uni!
    Hope yours is less fuzzy.
    - Jake D on 02/01/2024 - 15:45
      
      no-one starts uni 3 years after starting year 7
Rako on 02/01/2024 - 18:49

I bought my Grandson the HP Probook as recommended by my computer shop guy, it has a three year next business day onsite warranty. Some laptops are return to base with long repair times.
- Sunny10 on 02/01/2024 - 23:17
  
  How much sorry?
  - Rako on 03/01/2024 - 21:46
    
    Core i7 16gb ram 512GB SSD Win 11 pro $1668
2025 on 02/01/2024 - 19:42

Check the Dell outlet - you can get up to 4 years NBD onsite warranty.

https://www.dell.com/en-au/outlet

Your home and contents insurance may cover accidental damage away from home - you’ll need to review its PDS.
Eeples on 02/01/2024 - 21:54

The school doesn't recommend a Chromebook?

Does this work for your school?

https://www.officeworks.com.au/education/byod
- ozprash on 16/01/2024 - 12:49
  
  Our school recommends a Chromebook, but the BYOD options via JBHiFi seem expensive for the configurations.
  Any standard student grade CBs that you can recommend?

Need Help in Finalising a Laptop for My Child - Budget $1100

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