Laptop Recs?
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So my 5yo laptop is crapping out (also I need to get new Office software cos mine ceases to be supported in October.)
Nerdalicious ferners: any recs? (My budget will be fairly modest, so looking for best value/specs, less than 2k in price.) Key use writing, watching porn, social media. Don't game, but file sizes with graphics and books covers etc can get quite large. I've never been an Apple person so probably not one of those. Previous was an HP that I hooked up to large separate screen with wireless mouse/keyboard. Has served reasonably well. -
I'd def do a bit of googling around good models. Sites like reddit have some good info with nz contributors.
If you go windows def get 16GB+ RAM, lots might only have 8GB and windows 10 can be a hungry wee beast. Especially as stuff accumulates and the laptop slows down a bit.Can you write (boom tish) it off as a work purchase? If so I'd go for the best model, within reason, you can.
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Oh and 2k ish for a non-gaming rig is decent imo. If you have a choice between models and one has a solid state drive (SSD) plus a harddrive def get that one. General idea is you have your operating system plus key software on it - makes for lightening quick start up etc. Soooo worth it.
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@raznomore said in Laptop Recs?:
My daughter bought herself a Surface Pro a couple months ago and I was so impressed that I am getting one. Don't be fooled by the tablet appearance. Its a laptop.
I have Surface Pro's for both personal and work - absolutely love them.
Some people really don't like the keyboards so worth having a play with it first before purchasing.
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Know a few people with surface pro. I did want one, but not so much any more. Failure rate can be high, keyboard not for everyone.
Consider a Lenovo thinkpad, the E490 looks a good deal
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Basically the best idea is decide your budget, decide screen size (13" portable if you use it on the move a lot, 15" middle ground, 17" if you want big screen for old eyes), then play with some to get the feel you like. Then buy the highest Spec you like the feel of in your budget. You really can't go wrong, most laptops are more than powerful enough for everyday users.
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Don't want to derail @Mokey's thread but has anyone got recommendations for Laptops for kids? My boy is 6 so I thought I'd get him one, but being a cheap arse I don't to drop more than a few hundy on it
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@No-Quarter said in Laptop Recs?:
Don't want to derail @Mokey's thread but has anyone got recommendations for Laptops for kids? My boy is 6 so I thought I'd get him one, but being a cheap arse I don't to drop more than a few hundy on it
That cheap is not worth it imo. Either so low spec it'll run like shit after 6 months or second hand- which needs nerd skills to keep working. Buying short ICT for kids is a water of time imo
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@No-Quarter said in Laptop Recs?:
Don't want to derail @Mokey's thread but has anyone got recommendations for Laptops for kids? My boy is 6 so I thought I'd get him one, but being a cheap arse I don't to drop more than a few hundy on it
Get a chromebook. Perfect for kids and many schools use them now as standard. Bought my Mrs a medium spec one recently and she loves it. Got my low spec one for writing/movies while travelling for $300 a couple years back does the job well.
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@Paekakboyz Yep, I can claim back at least part of cost as a business expense. And yeah I've been looking at specs compared to current model, cos as you say Windows 10 is a beast when it comes to gobbling space. I can't even watch programs or whatever on laptop, has to be phone cos it's so slow and buffery. I've really noticed a downturn in speed lately, and today I noticed my battery was at 3% despite being plugged in all the time, so that is crapping out also.
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@Rembrandt said in Laptop Recs?:
@No-Quarter said in Laptop Recs?:
Don't want to derail @Mokey's thread but has anyone got recommendations for Laptops for kids? My boy is 6 so I thought I'd get him one, but being a cheap arse I don't to drop more than a few hundy on it
Get a chromebook. Perfect for kids and many schools use them now as standard. Bought my Mrs a medium spec one recently and she loves it. Got my low spec one for writing/movies while travelling for $300 a couple years back does the job well.
What sort of games can you get on those? Is it basically Android games or can you get PC games on them as well? - EDIT - "google advises computer says No".
I've heard they are good, so will look at getting the little rascal one of those.
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Company I work for is replacing all the Surface Pro's with laptops. The Surface had a ridiculously high failure rate (battery bursting out the back) and it grinds to a halt when excel is using multiple work sheets.
Not sure how old they are now and they may have improved but I wouldn't touch one.
You'd be able to claim the depreciation as a business expense so would be worth getting one that will last a while.
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We just got TR Jnr a chrome book for school, I just got a work one too (last person in our company to get one, I been trying to avoid getting one but they made me)
They seem pretty good, but not sure they upto what mokey wants, aside from the porn.
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@Paekakboyz I was keeping an eye out, but tbh the models that were on special were older ones with specs that are similar to current model, also not overly cheaper. The ones offering less than 1k were dogshit, but even laptops at 1699 or 1899 were still 8GB, and I'm 100% sure that wont suit.
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@Machpants said in Laptop Recs?:
Basically the best idea is decide your budget, decide screen size (13" portable if you use it on the move a lot, 15" middle ground, 17" if you want big screen for old eyes), then play with some to get the feel you like. Then buy the highest Spec you like the feel of in your budget. You really can't go wrong, most laptops are more than powerful enough for everyday users.
I agree with this - decide screen size and portability requirements, and then recommendations are easier, although by and large, 16GB portables will be expensive.
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As I said in the OP, I hook the laptop up to a large separate screen, so screensize of the laptop is not a factor I'm considering. 99% of the time I'm in my office, so portability also isn't a make or break thing. Reliability, lifespan, speed, storage, best value for money are what I care about.