In The Market for New Laptop - Budget $2,000

FrenchFrie on 03/12/2024 - 18:41
Last edited 03/12/2024 - 20:56 by 1 other user

Hey there! Bought my current laptop over 8 years ago, it's a Toshiba Radius 12, always owned this brand, just realised they are now gone :( and mine is about to die (broken screen, battery dead, doesn't fold anymore.

I looooove this laptop and was looking for something similar but I'm so overwhelmed with how many computers are on the market now and I don't know any of those brands!

I'm looking for one that will allow me to do some light photo editing, I own Dxo Photolab software but looking at getting Adobe photoshop (maybe). I don't play games, basically watch a lot of YouTube and do photo edits so need a good screen and a port for my SD cards. Doesn't matter if it's a foldable computer even though I appreciate the feature. I like the fact that the screen is touch sensitive but can also do without.

Any recommendations from experts? Really want to take advantage of black Friday to get my hands on a good deal, bonus points if it's at JB Hi-Fi as I have a few gift cards with them.

Thanks in advance for your insights!

• 

  CrispyChrispy on 03/12/2024 - 19:23

  +1

  Really want to take advantage of black Friday to get my hands on a good deal,

  That ship has (mostly) sailed my brother

  And what's your budget? I can recommend a $400 refurb or a $4,000 MacBook…

  • 

    shaybisc on 04/12/2024 - 10:48

    "That ship has (mostly) sailed my brother"

    When is the next time you are likely to get a deal on a laptop? Boxing Day?

• 

  FrenchFrie on 03/12/2024 - 19:28

  Good point! Nothing over 2k ideally… Would love a lot less obviously!
  Do you think it's too late for BF deals? Heard it was until tomorrow but was too busy before to have a good look…

  • 

    bargaino on 03/12/2024 - 21:24

    If you don't need a "gaming" machine, I would look at used/refurb business grade laptops. Then price will be no issue.

    Was your Toshiba one of he ones with the 4K display? Most laptops still are FHD or not much more, so restricting your search to higher-res will narrow the field.

    • 

      FrenchFrie on 03/12/2024 - 21:47

      Thanks! No I didn't had the 4k one, "just" the 1080p!
      Where would one lookup at buying a used/refurb business grade laptop?

      • 

        bargaino on 04/12/2024 - 00:08

        ozbargain :)

• 

  Pelicannn on 03/12/2024 - 20:03

  Macbook Air.

  • 

    FrenchFrie on 03/12/2024 - 21:48

    Thanks but I don't want any Apple products

• 

  Tsubasa on 03/12/2024 - 20:51

  Toshiba was bought out. Now called Dynabook.

  Photoshop will run on most contemporary PCs without issue for photo editing purposes.

  If you are moving to cloud platforms e.g. Canva, Photopea or Photoshop on the web. A chrome book would suffice.

  • 

    FrenchFrie on 03/12/2024 - 21:49

    Dynabook! Thanks I'll look them up but haven't seen their products so far. I owned 3 Toshiba's in my life, great products, lasted for so long even when I travel a lot and don't give them the best care 🙈

• 

  sumyungguy on 03/12/2024 - 22:26

  If you prioritise screen quality for photo editing and want something with SD card support, I’d lean towards the HP Spectre x360, Dell XPS 15, or Lenovo Yoga 9i, but 4K OLED models may exceed your $2K budget.

• 

  LanceVance on 03/12/2024 - 23:31

  Check out the Dell Outlet store, great prices and can go from a regular business laptop to a gaming one.

• 

  neoleo on 04/12/2024 - 00:09

  https://www.jbhifi.com.au/collections/computers-tablets/wind…

  Laptops on sale in JB HiFi :)
  I don't recommend Microsoft Surface and some other laptops that use Snapdragon processor. Not sure about any app compatibility or bugs related with the processor.

  I like this one:
  https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/lg-gram-wqxga-17-ultra-li…
  LG Gram 17" IPS display, great spec and battery life, but microSD card reader not the bigger SD card reader. But you can buy SD card adapter or hub for example.

  There are many other laptops not on sale that are not in the list above. I only put laptops on sale in JB HiFi above. It's better to have IPS screen rather than TN display.

  If you prefer smaller budget like under $1500, even MSI laptops have great spec but heavier than LG Gram 17"

• 

  solidussnake on 04/12/2024 - 08:02

  Get a Dell XPS mines 6th gen with a 3k screen and its 10yo atm hard to upgrade when this wont die !!

• 

  neoleo on 04/12/2024 - 17:30

  As some people mentioned Dell XPS, I checked this Dell XPS 15 at Dell as the cheapest price, even cheaper than Dell XPS 13 at JB HiFi. This one :
  https://www.dell.com/en-au/shop/cty/pdp/spd/xps-15-9530-lapt…
  Price: $1,898.6

  Or this one $1,698.4
  https://www.dell.com/en-au/shop/cty/pdp/spd/xps-15-9530-lapt…

  Both direct from Dell with SD card slot, 1.86 kg in weight and 15.6" screen.

  JB HiFi doesn't sell them, only this version Dell XPS 13:
  https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/dell-xps-13-9340-13-4-fhd…

  It's up to you whether you prefer smaller screen or bigger screen.

  In term of battery life, it looks like LG Gram has much longer battery life than this Dell …