Business laptop recommendation request

jra6466

I realise this is a well-trodden topic but also one that so quickly goes out of date ... I need a new laptop - mainly for word processing and research using Office Onedrive, Onenote, word etc. Also occasional netflix (etc) but hardly any gaming.

I don't know enough to distinguish between the various current offerings. I was advised by IT department to get 16gb ram and i5 or preferably i7 processor and to get windows 11 pro though I presume I can buy that separately.

I don't replace my computer frequently so would like to 'futureproof' the purchase if at all possible.

I'm not too worried about screen size - I get used to the size quite quickly. Low weight would be great but quality/reliability is more important. Ditto battery life - I am used to carrying a charger as my current battery life is very low.

I was looking at Asus Zenbook 13 UX325EA with i5 or i7 processor and 16gb ram or the Zenbook 14UX433D. I like the Asus keyboard. I was also wondering about a Huawei Matebook but the version that provides my level of spec seems expensive.

Budget is between 1,000 and 1,500 but would be delighted to pay less and would stretch to more if it were really worthwhile.

I'd be very grateful for any suggestions or tips on what to look for.

Nowso

the latest ones out are 12th gen Intel - so i5-12600k and i7-12700k and the Latest memory format release is ddr5 - so as futureproofing goes you would be looking at the 12th gen intel with ddr5 memory. more models are coming out them specs

then screen format fhd or better -

are a few things you need to be looking out for

11th gen intel i5 (i7 on mobile non "H"-branded cpus not worth the extra as less than 10% in it over the i5). 12th gen mobile non "H" cpus not that common in laptops yet and not a huge upgrade

Amd 5500u or higher good also

Screen with adequate brighness (near 300 nits or more) and decent colour gamut accuracy

acer swift 3 11th gen intel with 16gb ram a good option -> check acer.ie

very solid, well-built portable laptop and runs the i5 really well (good TDP -> able to send more watts to the cpu)

15% discount code if you can get anyone with 2nd or 3rd level email address (through unidays of stundentbeans)

https://store.acer.com/en-ie/acer-swift-3-ultra-thin-laptop-sf314-511-silver-nx-ablek-00n

cuttingtimber22

personally I would advise having a look at some in stores just to get a sense of what you might like but avoid talking to the sales staff. Photo the specs you see so you can reflect.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118881111#Comment_118881111

Here's a review from what is probably the best, most comprehensive and most objective tech review site on the internet

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Acer-Swift-3-SF314-in-review-Laptop-tackles-test-with-flying-colors.598617.0.html

jra6466

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118882705#Comment_118882705

Thank you so much. It seems perfect. It even has windows pro. Can I just check, there is a model on the acer website referred to as "acer swift 3 pro ultra thin laptop sf314-511" with reference number NX.ABLEK.00C for eu1,149 and I wondered if it is the same model as the one in your link (apologies, this site won't let me post a link)? It seems to have almost identical spec to the model in the review. Is there any reason not to purchase direct from the manufacturer?

So grateful for your knowledgable input; will be sending well deserved coffee.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118883736#Comment_118883736

hi - the link that I provided is from the manufacturers's store -> acer.ie

it's 899 and if you can get a relation of friend etc then -> 15% discount code if you can get anyone with 2nd or 3rd level email address (through unidays of stundentbeans)

to bring it down to 764 euro.

no need to spend nearly 400 euro more

this version doesn't come with windows pro but just buy a cheap key for that from ebay and upgrade it if you need it. very simple to do.

https://store.acer.com/en-ie/acer-swift-3-ultra-thin-laptop-sf314-511-silver-nx-ablek-00n