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!

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • 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
    +1

    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.

    • FrenchFrie on 06/12/2024 - 16:33

      Thanks mate! Will defo have a look before boxing day, hopefully some nice discounts then!

  • 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.

    • FrenchFrie on 06/12/2024 - 16:33

      Thanks! Is Dell a good brand?

      • LanceVance on 09/12/2024 - 11:35

        They'll do the job perfectly fine.

  • neoleo on 04/12/2024 - 00:09
    +1

    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"

    • FrenchFrie on 06/12/2024 - 16:34

      Thanks mate! Been too busy and missed the black Friday deals, but I'll keep a look on your list for when boxing day happens, hopefully some nice discounts by then!

  • 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 !!

    • FrenchFrie on 06/12/2024 - 16:35

      I know right? I live good laptops that lasts years, that's why I loved Toshiba's they were so well made! So you recommend Dell as well? Will keep an eye out for boxing day sales

      • solidussnake on 06/12/2024 - 20:00

        Yes recommend the XPS range and I used to sell Toshiba at JB cant say I ever seen one come in for warranty issues !!

  • neoleo on 04/12/2024 - 17:30
    +1

    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 …

    • FrenchFrie on 06/12/2024 - 16:36

      Wow thanks for the extensive list!! Everyone seems to recommend Dell so I'll defo keep your links for when boxing day sales are live

  • meumax on 05/12/2024 - 12:35

    Refurbished Lenovo P, T or X series.

    Corporate IT departments cycle through these every 3 years or so leading to stacks of them entering the used market in fairly good condition on a regular basis.

    • FrenchFrie on 06/12/2024 - 16:37

      Do you recommend Lenovo? I don't know this brand at all, a friend got one a few months back and hated it so much he got a refund. Maybe it was one of the cheap ones though

      • neoleo on 06/12/2024 - 22:17
        +1

        Lenovo P, T or X series

        He mentioned about Thinkpad series that was owned by IBM long time ago, then sold to Lenovo. Thinkpad laptop series are usually used by corporate offices along with Dell Latitude series. They have stronger build quality in general compared with many other laptops.

      • meumax on 10/12/2024 - 07:05
        +1

        Lenovo consumer grade Ideabook/Yoga etc = junk. Professional/business grade Thinkpad = rock solid and reliable.

        A refurbished Thinkpad T480 or T480s will set you back only $500 or so and will absolutely shit on anything brand new for that price.

    • FrenchFrie on 11/12/2024 - 00:55

      Thank you so much for the articles! Really appreciate them

  • FrenchFrie on 11/12/2024 - 00:56

    What are your thoughts on this one?
    Discounted only for today at jb Hi-Fi :
    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/hp-envy-x360-14-fc0026tu-…

    • neoleo on 11/12/2024 - 18:46
      +1

      This one is great choice too with more modern spec.

      Great IPS 2.2K touch Gorilla Glass display with 100% sRGB, low blue light, long battery life and still light in weight. Also big and faster memory and storage too.

      No SD card slot, so you need an adapter for SD card.

  • CharlesSmash on 11/12/2024 - 17:43

    There are still deals with Lenovo, and looks like additional 10% off for first time customers:
    https://www.lenovo.com/au/en/d/deals/intel-laptops-sale/?org…

    Any thoughts on those ones there?

    • neoleo on 11/12/2024 - 19:00

      Depends on your budget. What are your max budget and your use cases? Most people only use laptop for light uses such as MS Office, watch videos, listen to music, browsing, etc. Gaming laptop is another level. Also different for photo editing, video editing.

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