Looking for 14" Laptop Suggestions - Budget $1,500

LPistoll on 01/03/2025 - 15:21
Last edited 01/03/2025 - 16:41 by 1 other user

Hi all, I'm looking for some help here.

I feel like I'm drowning in Lenovo models. My trusty Dell Latitude 7390 is dying and I'm looking for an upgrade around the $1500 mark. The main things I'm looking for are a good display and build quality to last as long as possible. Optional but I'd prefer 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD, I've got a Win 11 Pro retail license already. I use it for for uni (engineering) and general admin.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I've found the below models so far as per the poll:

Lenovo
Dell

Poll Options

  • 8
    IdeaPad Pro 5i (14", Gen9) $1489
  • 1
    Latitude 14 7455 $1509
  • 2
    Something else
Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • nissa on 01/03/2025 - 15:58

    Acer Swift GO 14 with 1GB SSD.

    • kiitos on 01/03/2025 - 20:31

      Do you have this? Which config do you have?

      • nissa on 01/03/2025 - 23:24
        +1

        I picked it up in USA last year, Intel EVO platform, Ultra 7, 16GB RAM,wifi 7, 1TB SSD (sorry typed 1GB before) Win 11, Touchscreen, 60 Watt hr battery life.

    • rumblytangara on 02/03/2025 - 20:02

      I'd seriously recommend comparing Acer warranty length, reputation, and methods for getting it serviced against a 1.5K Lenovo Thinkpad (3 years, onsite, international.)

  • FireRunner on 01/03/2025 - 16:34
    +3

    Note that Dell has a Snapdragon processor. Compatibility with Windows applications will be hit and miss

    • AustriaBargain on 01/03/2025 - 16:52

      Yes Windows transition to ARM has not been as smooth as Apple's, you def want a legacy processor.

      • FireRunner on 01/03/2025 - 18:15
        +2

        There were teething issues with Apple silicon iirc.
        It's fairly impressive the performance of ARM processes in Windows imo

        • AustriaBargain on 01/03/2025 - 18:47

          Apple have done architecture transitions twice before, I bet the average user couldn't even tell their old apps were running through emulation.

    • Pistoll on 01/03/2025 - 17:16

      Good point. I've just been reading into it. Looks like the Lenovo is the pick, only downside is the 10+ week delivery time.

    • OZBargainer in SA on 02/03/2025 - 17:44

      I would say the transition to Arm this time round (first time was around the time of Windows 8) has been smoother than expected, considering how stubborn Windows users are in hanging onto the old versions of their program.
      Most mainstream applications have native Arm versions or their x86 ones are compatible.
      You'd want to check on the engineering programs that you need to use.
      Arm laptops have better battery life, so definitely worth considering them, if that's important to you.

  • neoleo on 01/03/2025 - 23:31
    +1

    build quality to last as long as possible.

    Not sure outside Dell Latitude and Lenovo Thinkpad, any other laptops build quality could last long. Common problems are broken hinge, cracked laptop shell/body for example. These problems could also affect Lenovo Ideapad series, etc.

    I have Thinkpad now (bought second hand very cheap, good quality and still good battery).

    • Pistoll on 02/03/2025 - 00:07

      So maybe a ThinkPad P14s? Not sure on the ThinkPad model differences e.g. E, P etc.

      • charlierg on 02/03/2025 - 07:54
        +2

        Thinkpad X1 - flagships, lightweight, best overall but expensive. Have one myself.

        Thinkpad E - cheaper, chunkier, in some ways a bit more robust but definitely the budget pick (still great though)

        Thinkpad P - bigger and heavier, as fast as possible

      • rumblytangara on 02/03/2025 - 20:05

        P - discrete graphics. Expensive. Only get this if you know you can really use the discrete graphics or want to burn money.
        T - standard corporate. Good chassis.
        X1 - flagship corporate, light, good chassis. Carbon shell, magnesium frame.
        E - no idea, I'd just consider them 'standard laptops' - never worked in a corp environment that would use them. They don't use the magnesium chassis for rigidity. There used to be an L series which was similar.
        X - T series but shrunk down, smaller screens, lighter.

        iirc all Thinkpads compromise on screen brightness, possibly on gammut range as well, but they are fine for indoor use and if you are serious about colour representation you use an external monitor.

        Going off the first comment in this thread- if you buy something like an Asus, Acer, Gigabyte or whatever then you are getting more performance/specs for money at the risk of much higher variability when it comes to QC, build quality and after sales support. You might be lucky, you might be unlucky. For a laptop which is very hard to source replacement parts for and fix yourself, I prefer not to roll the dice.

  • ColonialBoy on 02/03/2025 - 07:54

    Second hand Thinkpad 14" is an option. Probably the most in-demand second hand laptop.

  • neoleo on 02/03/2025 - 09:22
    +1

    Optional but I'd prefer 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD

    https://www.lenovo.com/au/en/d/deals/welcome-ecoupon-discoun…
    Register for 5% discount

    https://www.lenovo.com/au/en/configurator/cto/index.html?bun…
    L series, 14" with 57 Wh battery, weight: 1.563 kg. If you select 32 GB RAM & 1 TB SSD, the price is $1,470.87 before 5% discount above (if you register).

    https://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-ThinkPad-L14-G5-laptop-…
    Thinkpad L14 Gen 5 AMD review

    https://www.lenovo.com/au/en/configurator/cto/index.html?bun…
    E series, 16". If you select 32 GB RAM & 1 TB SSD and aluminum base cover material, the price is $1,497.45 but smaller battery (3 cell 47 Wh). If you want better display, additional $288 for 100% sRGB display. Weight: 1.916 kg

    https://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-ThinkPad-E16-Gen-2-AMD-…
    ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 AMD laptop review (different bigger battery)

    You can customise both. If you want it cheaper, maybe choose 16 GB RAM & 512 GB SSD. As both has AMD processor, battery life should be better than Intel based laptop. I think 16" is too heavy for most people. So, L series can be considered.

    Other Thinkpad series need higher budget.

    Cashback 4.55% through Topcashback website, except Lenovo Education Store. If you have .edu.au email, check Lenovo Education Store if they are cheaper. But the laptop links above have ecoupon option like BACK2UNI25 in the summary if you use this ecoupon. I don't know if you can combine it with welcome ecoupon or not.

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