Which Laptop Should I Get?

Lweirdieweirdo on 16/03/2025 - 19:14
Last edited 16/03/2025 - 22:26 by 1 other user

Hi all, which of the following laptop should I get?

I lean more towards durability, don't really need a high performance laptop. In terms of build quality are the low end E Series ThinkPad better than IdeaPad?

The Yoga feels nice but I am not prepared to spend too much on a laptop.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15.6inch I7-13620/16GB/1TB SSD - $998

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15.6-inch R7-5825U/16GB/1TB SSD - $998

Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 AMD Ryzen5 7535U/16GB/512GB SSD - $995

Lenovo Yoga Pro 7 14" Gen 9 AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS/16GB/512GB SSD, RTX 3050 - $1359

Poll Options

  • 3
    Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15.6-inch R7-5825U/16GB/1TB SSD - $998
  • 1
    Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15.6inch I7-13620/16GB/1TB SSD - $998
  • 6
    Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 AMD Ryzen5 7535U/16GB/512GB SSD - $995
  • 15
    Lenovo Yoga Pro 7 14" Gen 9 AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS/16GB/512GB SSD, RTX 3050 - $1359
Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • brendanm on 16/03/2025 - 19:16

    What do you want to do with it? Used Thinkpad is always my go to.

    • weirdieweirdo on 16/03/2025 - 19:19

      Microsoft Office, web browsing, some very basic photo editing and video editing (maybe). No gaming.

      • brendanm on 16/03/2025 - 19:35
        +8

        I like the T series "refurb" Thinkpads. Good build quality. Good prices.

  • rumblytangara on 16/03/2025 - 19:30
    +1

    In terms of build quality are the low end E Series ThinkPad better than IdeaPad?

    Probably not enough of a difference between the two to matter- neither are known for above-average build quality.

  • MaximumEffort777 on 16/03/2025 - 19:42
    +3

    A refurbed T series (480 or 490) Thinkpad would do the job perfectly and can be had for a good price with some upgradability options.

  • SYLTB on 16/03/2025 - 19:52

    Laptop: ThinkPad
    Car: German
    It comes down to which ThinkPad and which German car.

    • Mechz on 16/03/2025 - 23:28

      T series and BMW.

    • rumblytangara on 17/03/2025 - 08:35

      Not sure how you got to that. T/X Thinkpads are Camrys.

  • simplystu on 16/03/2025 - 20:11
    +1

    why are you 100% set on Lenovo - as per your poll …what about other options ???

    even Dell has better/cheaper options - than Lenovo.
    although personally - would look further afield.

    [EDIT] …
    you've already talked about budget + Lenovo Yoga may be out of your budget? (despite 2x ppl voting for it in polls).
    ("The Yoga feels nice but I am not prepared to spend too much on a laptop.")

    @weirdieweirdo - what is your actual budget ?!?!? !!!

    • BrettSh on 17/03/2025 - 10:40

      even Dell has better/cheaper options - than Lenovo.

      Well… I've owned a few Dells, last one was an XPS15. While they have always offered reasonable bang for your buck they aren't that solid. I use my laptops at the office, at home, on the train and on planes. The Dells have always broken down before they they became obsolete. I replaced the XPS15 with a Thinkpad and it's far more solid.

  • jlogic on 16/03/2025 - 21:29

    I have been partial to the HP Elitebook or ZBook range.

    Great aesthetic and build quality is great.

    Upgradable memory and SSD as well. Battery is easy to replace.

    Edit: Refurbished ones is what I meant. New ones are outside my price range haha.

  • Yummy on 16/03/2025 - 21:42
    +2

    Which Laptop should I get?

    Lenovo
    Lenovo
    Lenovo
    Lenovo

    Close your eyes and eeny meeny miny moe.

    • jlogic on 16/03/2025 - 21:49

      I would steer away from the lower end stuff though. That stuff is trash. Minimum would be the IdeaPads.

      Thinkpads, Thinkpads, Thinkpads.

      • Yummy on 16/03/2025 - 21:58

        My work supplied me a ThinkPad. No choice, it is a trash.

        • jlogic on 16/03/2025 - 22:06

          You don't like them? What makes it trash?

          Like I said I have been really impressed with the HP Elitebook/ZBook range. I have been slowly replacing my old 8th Gen laptops with 11th Gen ones from HP.

          • Yummy on 16/03/2025 - 22:18

            @jlogic: Nothing really specific, but I don't like the design. I got a model where you have to lift the screen up to access the power button (previous model wasn't like it). Also it died on me within a year. Lenovo tech support came & couldn't find the fault. Replaced the whole thing. Can't remember the model #.
            Then some issue with performance too. Looking forward for replacement same brand new model soon lol.

            • jlogic on 16/03/2025 - 22:24

              @Yummy: Damn, sounds like they changed a fair few things between the model years and didn't work out all the kinks.

              I think the G9's were like that when Intel moved to the P and E core designs, they had a lot of performance issues at the start. They didn't change the chassis though so that was good to have something that was similar across.

  • Nillionaire on 17/03/2025 - 01:51
    +2

    MacBook Air

    • casho on 18/03/2025 - 15:09

      ^ this! Get a 2nd hand one

  • BrettSh on 17/03/2025 - 10:28
    +1

    If durability is your main concern, go for the ThinkPad E16 Gen 2—hands down. I use a ThinkPad myself (Gen 2), and while they’re not the prettiest, they’re built like a tank. The E Series is definitely more robust than the IdeaPads, which are fine for general use but not really known for their longevity.

    The E16 Gen 2 gives you:
    - Tougher build – ThinkPads are known for their durability and pass MIL-STD-810H tests. IdeaPads? Not so much.
    - Better keyboard – If you type a lot, ThinkPads win every time.
    - More upgradability – The E16 lets you upgrade RAM and storage more easily than the IdeaPads.
    - Ports – More and better connectivity options, including RJ-45 Ethernet (super useful).

    The IdeaPads are lighter and thinner, but they feel more like consumer-grade machines. If you don’t mind replacing your laptop every few years, they’re fine, but if you want something that lasts, the ThinkPad is the better bet.

    The Yoga Pro 7 is nice (better screen, more powerful), but at $1359, it’s a big jump in price, and you said you don’t want to spend too much. If you don’t need high performance, the E16 Gen 2 is your best option—better build quality at nearly the same price as the IdeaPads.

    Get the ThinkPad E16 Gen 2. It’s a workhorse and won’t fall apart on you.

    • BrettSh on 18/03/2025 - 08:40

      I should mention that (by current standards) battery life is pretty mediocre. I would say I get maybe 6 hours. That's enough for me but, maybe not everyone.

      • jlogic on 18/03/2025 - 10:03
        +1

        Most of the corporate devices tend to top out at around 6 hours as they spend most of their time being docked. You generally need to move up the product stack to get to the "road" use devices in terms of "business" class laptops, to get the all day battery life.

  • rhino86 on 25/03/2025 - 21:41

    MSI MSI
    Raider 18 HX AI A2XWJG-243AU
    Just shy of 10k

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