Advice for Laptop for Uni IT Course - Budget $1000

Lalostlemming on 17/11/2023 - 22:24
Last edited 18/11/2023 - 09:21 by 1 other user

Hi!
I am looking for any advice or recommendations for what I should buy for my uni course in IT. I already have a PC at home that I use for gaming that I assume can do most things for the course already, just looking around for a laptop that I can use for on the go projects and assignments. Something under $1000 would be nice but budget is flexible.

Things I'm looking for:

  • Touchscreen and a touchscreen pen for note-taking and diagrams
  • At least 512gb SSD
  • Good processor for coding projects and programming
  • At least 2 USB ports
  • At least 8gb RAM

I was maybe looking at ASUS zenbook/probooks or Dell XPS.
I really appreciate the help.

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • Benoffie on 17/11/2023 - 23:01
    +1

    Son has an XPS for uni. Best laptop. If you can afford it, go for the touch screen and in the 15 I think it is. Looks sexy, light, fits on those pita lecture theatre tables.

    Wait for a sale either BF or Boxing Day. Dell has a history of doubling down on discounts.

  • softkun123 on 18/11/2023 - 00:07
    +2

    I dont think you would get ASUS zenbook/probooks or Dell XPS under $1000.

    If you don't min buying used corporate laptops. I just purchased HP Elitebook x360 from Ebay https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/195718797683

    These are premium laptops comes with 1 year of warranty and windows 10. I use this for my office which involves database programming as well. It was advertised for $430 but ebay usually have 20% discount which brings price to about 350

  • boomramada on 18/11/2023 - 01:37
    +1

    Get XPS or Surface Pro, but not under $1000

  • CptnObvious on 18/11/2023 - 10:35
    +1

    A refurbished one from loads of posting here

  • frondono on 18/11/2023 - 10:54
    +1

    Here's a pretty good website that has some good info on it.

    https://www.notebookcheck.net/

    I'd probably look for something pretty light. 1 - 1.2kgs. with a good screen.

  • scotty on 18/11/2023 - 12:14
    +3

    You definitely want at least 16GB of RAM especially when you are doing an IT course. For $1,000 it might not be easy getting the latest ultra portable 2-in-1 with touch screen, but there are plenty refurbished ones that will fit your requirement. Do note that CPU speed is probably not the most important as most recent processors are good enough for most workload. Search eBay for refurbished

    • Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga
    • HP Elite x360 or Dragonfly
    • Dell Latitude 2-in-1

    Those are mostly well-built business grade laptops that will hopefully last you the whole course.

  • Nillionaire on 18/11/2023 - 14:29
    +1

    This is possibly gonna be way out of your budget but in case you can afford it - I would suggest to not get a 2-in-1 device and get a laptop and tablet separately.

    I'd get an iPad Air/Pro or Galaxy Tab S8/S9+/Ultra with the pen and also an attachable keyboard if you want. IMO they're significantly better and easier to use than Windows laptops for touchscreen note taking and diagrams. There's plenty of videos on YouTube showcasing how they're used for study, productivity, art, etc., with a number of features that Windows laptops don't inherently have. Watch the videos to decide whether that appeals to you or unnecessary and you'd be fine with a 2-in-1 laptop.

    If I picked the tablet and still needed a laptop for programming then I could look at any laptop that fits the requirements without having to restrict myself only to touchscreen models.

  • bargaino on 18/11/2023 - 15:35
    +1

    16GB will let you run virtual machines easily, which you'll probably be needing for any sort of serious IT course.

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