Another laptop recommendation thread (Black Friday deals?)

DelBoy Trotter · 13-11-2019 5:41pm #1

I'm looking for recommendations for a new laptop. My current laptop is an 8 year old Lenovo. It had an upgrade to a SSD and Windows 10 about 3 years ago, which has kept it going a bit longer, but it badly needs to be changed. The HDMI port doesn't work as the hardware is too old and isn't compatible with Windows 10!

Budget: €600
Must haves: Windows machine, minimum 256GB SSD, 8GB RAM, metal body/frame
Would like: backlit keyboard

I'd love a MS Surface but can't justify the cost. Of all the laptops I've had, I found my netbook the most handy. With that in mind, I'd prefer a smaller laptop, 13" ideally, but happy enough to go to 14".
It'll mainly be used for general browsing, streaming sport and Netflix, Word, Excel, iTunes music collection, etc.
I'm not in a rush and happy to wait for any deals that might pop up on Black Friday. Buying online or in store is fine by me, but I want to buy new, I'm not interested in second hand laptops.

All recommendations appreciated!

tonyfillony · 15-11-2019 6:07pm

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-14-ce3501sa-14-laptop-intel-core-i5-512-gb-ssd-silver-10198859-pdt.html
I'm half thinking of getting this. Doesn't have backlit keyboard

DelBoy Trotter · 16-11-2019 12:23pm

tonyfillony wrote: »

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-14-ce3501sa-14-laptop-intel-core-i5-512-gb-ssd-silver-10198859-pdt.html
I'm half thinking of getting this. Doesn't have backlit keyboard

I was actually looking at that yesterday as a possible option!

18-11-2019 11:51pm

going to be difficult to get a metal body for 600 euro

the matebook d 14 had that but has been out of stock on amazon uk for a fair while.

other than that you might get one with a metal lid but that's about it.

19-11-2019 2:56am

those hp 14 may be metal but it's not 100% clear.

it's described as metal finish - you'd have to go in and check

thenightman · 19-11-2019 3:05am

Would also be wise to research which laptops are easily upgradeable, RAM and SSD wise. I bought a HP from Dixons a few years back and it was a complete pain to add in an SSD and upgrade the memory, whole machine basically had to be disassembled to do so. Swore to myself that the bext machine I buy will be easier.

DelBoy Trotter · 19-11-2019 10:47am

glasso wrote: »

those hp 14 may be metal but it's not 100% clear.

it's described as metal finish - you'd have to go in and check

I was in Currys over the weekend and had a look at the HP 14 and they are a plastic finish, but it was a nice finish on it to be fair

glasso wrote: »

going to be difficult to get a metal body for 600 euro

Yeah after some investigation, it seems you might be correct on this so my criteria looks like it will need to change from metal body to a nicely finished plastic body

glasso wrote: »

the matebook d 14 had that but has been out of stock on amazon uk for a fair while.

other than that you might get one with a metal lid but that's about it.

I really like the look of the Matebook. I can't see anywhere that sells it though (apart from Amazon or some eBay accounts)

DelBoy Trotter · 22-11-2019 10:48am

Now that the Black Friday deals seem to have started, the real search begins! If anybody sees anything that would fit my criteria, let me know please

DelBoy Trotter · 22-11-2019 3:27pm

So i've spent a bit of time this morning looking at laptops, so far these are what I've come up with:

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/asus-zenbook-14-um431da-14-amd-ryzen-5-laptop-256-gb-ssd-blue-10194537-pdt.html (slightly out of budget but I could stretch to it)

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/lenovo-ideapad-s340-14-amd-ryzen-7-laptop-512-gb-ssd-grey-10193468-pdt.html

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-14-ce3501sa-14-laptop-intel-core-i5-512-gb-ssd-silver-10198859-pdt.html

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/lenovo-ideapad-s340-14-amd-ryzen-5-laptop-256-gb-ssd-grey-10193270-pdt.html

Any comments on these four? Which would you go for?

cherryghost · 22-11-2019 3:44pm

The most expensive one is most asthetically pleasing, I'd personally go for the cheapest of the 4 though imo. Still looks nice, thin bezels, performance for what you will be doing - very little difference across the lot of them.

The IdeaPad S340 with Ryzen 7 is the best in terms of raw perf but I'd only recommend it for light editing and gaming.

Not much else I can find at that price range, with that build quality in 14 inch (unless you go bigger and less refined chassis, you could save about 70-80 euro that way)

22-11-2019 6:29pm

if lightness and portability are important go for the zenbook.

it's over 400g lighter than the other ones and is the only one that will feel genuinely light.

if it's not important go for one of the cheaper ones. not a huge amount in Ryzen 7 over 5 imo so not really worth it.

so go for the new intel or the ryzen 5.

new intel i5 > ryzen 5 in terms of cpu power

but ryzen has better integrated graphics.

22-11-2019 11:16pm

I think that the Zenbook is metal (aluminium) also whereas all the others are plastic.

that's a very good price for it.

It's a class or two above the others in terms of build quality.

Lemlin · 23-11-2019 10:52am

cherryghost wrote: »

The most expensive one is most asthetically pleasing, I'd personally go for the cheapest of the 4 though imo. Still looks nice, thin bezels, performance for what you will be doing - very little difference across the lot of them.

The IdeaPad S340 with Ryzen 7 is the best in terms of raw perf but I'd only recommend it for light editing and gaming.

Not much else I can find at that price range, with that build quality in 14 inch (unless you go bigger and less refined chassis, you could save about 70-80 euro that way)

Is this the same as the cheapest one of the seven?

https://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/3068984/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7COffice%2C+PCs+and+phones%7C14418968/Trail/searchtext%3ESHOP+ALL+BLACK+FRIDAY.htm

429.99 in Argos.

DelBoy Trotter · 23-11-2019 12:55pm

glasso wrote: »

I think that the Zenbook is metal (aluminium) also whereas all the others are plastic.

that's a very good price for it.

It's a class or two above the others in terms of build quality.

I haven’t fully made up my mind yet, but the Zenbook is winning based on the above. I was originally looking for a metal framed laptop, and a backlight keyboard was also on the would like to have list, both of which the Zenbook looks to have

mondeo · 23-11-2019 1:00pm

All the crap is discounted on black friday, nothing decent drops much. Black Friday makes no difference to me in Ireland. Maybe Amazon might have something.

DelBoy Trotter · 23-11-2019 1:13pm

mondeo wrote: »

All the crap is discounted on black friday, nothing decent drops much. Black Friday makes no difference to me in Ireland. Maybe Amazon might have something.

Amazon has been more expensive than Currys during my search in the last 24 hours

raxy · 23-11-2019 1:19pm

DelBoy Trotter wrote: »

Amazon has been more expensive than Currys during my search in the last 24 hours

Laptops direct.ie is crap as well. Argos seems to be the best prices I can see.

24-11-2019 12:59am

amazon rarely the best prices for laptops. on a particular model occasionally.

argos can be ok on the odd model this time of year.

raxy · 24-11-2019 2:05pm

I went to Currys yesterday for a quick look.
I know they're demo models but the lenovo s145 seemed cheap. Keyboard flexed quite a lot & the silver cover was all scuffed & scratched making it look awful. Maybe the black lenovo models wouldn't suffer the same but the fake metal just makes it look cheap.
The acer aspire 5 seemed the best in terms of build. A lot of the other models around the same price didn't feel as sturdy as the acer.

raxy · 24-11-2019 2:17pm

https://www.did.ie/lenovo-amd-a9-9425-15-6-8gb-256gb-laptop-black-81mt00015uk-81mt00015uk-prd

How does the A9 processor compare to the ryzen 5?

the culture of deference · 24-11-2019 3:01pm

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-14-ce3501sa-14-laptop-intel-core-i5-512-gb-ssd-silver-10198859-pdt.html

this one all day

stay away from DID or powercity

They are still selling 4 year old chips in laptops

newest i5 chip

8gb ram

ignore the opti BS

raxy · 24-11-2019 3:12pm

the culture of deference wrote: »

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-14-ce3501sa-14-laptop-intel-core-i5-512-gb-ssd-silver-10198859-pdt.html

this one all day

stay away from DID or powercity

They are still selling 4 year old chips in laptops

newest i5 chip

8gb ram

ignore the opti BS

That's out of my budget atm. I may just put off getting something altogether but I'd imagine the A9 would be more than good enough for me. I had a pc with an A10 processor which worked well.

the culture of deference · 24-11-2019 4:51pm

raxy wrote: »

That's out of my budget atm. I may just put off getting something altogether but I'd imagine the A9 would be more than good enough for me. I had a pc with an A10 processor which worked well.

Get this one then

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/lenovo-ideapad-s145-15iwl-15-6-intel-core-i3-laptop-128-gb-ssd-grey-10197879-pdt.html

raxy · 24-11-2019 6:03pm

the culture of deference wrote: »

Get this one then

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/lenovo-ideapad-s145-15iwl-15-6-intel-core-i3-laptop-128-gb-ssd-grey-10197879-pdt.html

Think I might stretch the budget for this

https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/hp-250-core-i7-8565u-8gb-256gb-ssd15.6-inch-full-hd-windows-10-home-laptop-6mp37es/version.asp

Trick is to get my brother to buy it so my wife doesn't realise how much I'm spending.

25-11-2019 12:44am

a9 not a great chip, particularly wrt power usage off battery as it's a higher Wattage. 3 year old cpu.

current i3, ryzen 3, i5, ryzen 5 better.

25-11-2019 1:36am

raxy wrote: »

Think I might stretch the budget for this

https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/hp-250-core-i7-8565u-8gb-256gb-ssd15.6-inch-full-hd-windows-10-home-laptop-6mp37es/version.asp

Trick is to get my brother to buy it so my wife doesn't realise how much I'm spending.

that's a really ugly heavy brute of an old plastic design of a machine.

no need for an i7 for your uses.

the one recommended before with a modern i3

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-Chromebook-CB714-1WT-36MS-Notebook-i3-8130U/dp/B07S97NN6C

will do more than fine and it has a much nicer modern build.

maybe add 4gb more ram down the line for about 35 €

although this 4-core ryzen 5 is the best value of the lot

https://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/3068984/Trail/searchtext%3ERYZEN.htm

25-11-2019 3:13am

am i going nuts (its late) or does it say both SSD and 5400rpm hard drive on that last deal?

raxy · 25-11-2019 8:47am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

am i going nuts (its late) or does it say both SSD and 5400rpm hard drive on that last deal?

Didn't spot that. Argos wouldn't be the best source for laptop specs I guess. Seen some dodgy info on other sites too. Think did have an i3 laptop but the description says it's the latest i7 processor.

Think I might end up with the Argos laptop but want to try see it somewhere first. The lenovo laptops in Currys felt a bit cheap. I might pay a bit more for this
https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/acer-aspire-5-a515-43-15-6-amd-ryzen-5-laptop-256-gb-ssd-silver-10198290-pdt.html?istCompanyId=fbc6ef6d-ab18-45e3-927a-0cb677794424&istFeedId=0959f117-9faa-4499-80bd-c0265bb2950e&istItemId=iwqlipqaq&istBid=t&&gclid=CjwKCAiA8ejuBRAaEiwAn-iJ3jHQGlpmocc34j7ihIo9OrJhyv-_A26V7vXO8NgJ72Nc4fH7hhgZbhoCWcUQAvD_BwE
Has a much more solid build than the lenovo.

GeneralC · 25-11-2019 12:21pm

Hi

I'm looking for a laptop to suit a student with a budget of €600. Metal body and SSD is my only preference. I'll be using Word/Web/PowerPoint but nothing too taxing that will require major CPU power.

Any suggestions?

25-11-2019 5:17pm

GeneralC wrote: »

Hi

I'm looking for a laptop to suit a student with a budget of €600. Metal body and SSD is my only preference. I'll be using Word/Web/PowerPoint but nothing too taxing that will require major CPU power.

Any suggestions?

this is a very nicely built all-metal laptop with ssd and long battery life. looks like a premium laptop of twice the price.

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/acer-swift-1-sf114-32-14-intel-pentium-laptop-256-gb-ssd-silver-10193945-pdt.html

cpu perfectly fine for your uses.

8gb ram,

256 ssd.

captain_boycott · 25-11-2019 5:25pm

raxy wrote: »

Didn't spot that. Argos wouldn't be the best source for laptop specs I guess. Seen some dodgy info on other sites too. Think did have an i3 laptop but the description says it's the latest i7 processor.

Think I might end up with the Argos laptop but want to try see it somewhere first. The lenovo laptops in Currys felt a bit cheap. I might pay a bit more for this
https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/acer-aspire-5-a515-43-15-6-amd-ryzen-5-laptop-256-gb-ssd-silver-10198290-pdt.html?istCompanyId=fbc6ef6d-ab18-45e3-927a-0cb677794424&istFeedId=0959f117-9faa-4499-80bd-c0265bb2950e&istItemId=iwqlipqaq&istBid=t&&gclid=CjwKCAiA8ejuBRAaEiwAn-iJ3jHQGlpmocc34j7ihIo9OrJhyv-_A26V7vXO8NgJ72Nc4fH7hhgZbhoCWcUQAvD_BwE
Has a much more solid build than the lenovo.

another thing to note about the argos listing, is that it says Windows 10S - which is not the full version of windows. I wonder is it possible to get free upgrade to the full windows or is that extra?

Another laptop recommendation thread (Black Friday deals?)

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