Need to Decide on New Laptop - Help Needed ($1200 Budget) Open to SSD

twilsoncrow on 19/03/2017 - 10:04
Last edited 21/03/2017 - 09:22 by 1 other user

Hi everyone would love your help.
Update-open to SSD

Am a uni student needing a new laptop and I have spent way too much time researching laptops and need to get buy it if the next couple of days.

Must haves - 15.6 inch screen USB ports HDMI connection good screen, windows

I prefer hdd over sdd (old fashioned I know).but I am open to SSD. Need to get with the times

Don't do any gaming, laptop generally will be used at home.

Budget up to $1200

I have no preference for brand but not Apple.

Thanks in advance

• 

  Slippery Fish on 19/03/2017 - 10:22

  +1

  Ssd are better in mobile units imo. Less chance of mechanical failure due to bumps ect (not super likely but it does happen)

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  altomic on 19/03/2017 - 10:44

  dell outlet (refurbs)

  there are some inspiron laptops that fit your requirements

  except some don't have the HDMI output, which a simple work around with a <$20 usb/vga to hdmi adapter from ebay

  the Inspiron 15 5000 have HDMI output and are $639

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  beaver2233 on 19/03/2017 - 12:23

  +2

  HDD over SSD? ughhh why? I could never recommend a PC or laptop without a SSD.

  • 

    altomic on 19/03/2017 - 14:39

    ^this. ssd for the primary OS will beef up the laptop amazingly. if the laptop has an optical drive then remove that and put the SSD there and make it the primary. use the HDD as storage.

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  O O on 19/03/2017 - 12:55

  If you can stretch you budget a bit to $1,300, there is a Dell Inspiron 15 7000 at Dell outlet for $1,299, comes with HDMI and 3 USB ports. Though, there are cheaper options at Dell outlet, be aware those are 1366x768 in screen resolution.

  Bundle #: DFO-4019114IP
  CPU: 6th Generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6700HQ Quad Core (6MB Cache, up to 3.5 GHz)
  RAM: 16GB DDR4 2400MHz (16GBx1)
  Storage: Dual drives with 128GB Solid State Drive + 1TB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
  Screen: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare LED-Backlit Display

  • 

    Kiato on 19/03/2017 - 15:51

    I second this recomendation. I maybe buying one for my father in the next couple days aswell. Over all it looks like a pretty solid laptop, although the screen maybe a little on the average side according to reviews. You should also be able to extend the warrenty on this aswell. There is also a metabox laptop in the same price range once you remove the ssd and swap in a standard, though i recomend keeping the M.2, the screen being an IPS pannel over the standard TN that you will find in most.

  • 

    O O on 19/03/2017 - 17:18

    I just realized, there is a sales on Dell eBay. I found Dell Inspiron 15 7000 2-in-1 $1,119.20 fit your bill even better, but it comes with SSD, not HDD as you prefer.

    Specification
    CPU: 7th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-7200U Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.10 GHz)
    RAM: 8GB Single Channel DDR4 2400MHz (8GBx1)
    Storage: 256GB Solid State Drive
    Screen: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Truelife LED-Backlit Touch Display

  • 

    Gnosh on 21/03/2017 - 11:53

    Going to piggyback here, which of these 3 laptops mentioned seem like the best bang for your buck?

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  twilsoncrow on 19/03/2017 - 19:07

  Thanks for all the suggestions and input. Will have a look tonight and hopefully make a decision lol

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  iforgotmysocks on 21/03/2017 - 15:25

  +1

  Get the lenovo posted on here today for $1010

  https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/298292

  You will enjoy SSD boot speeds :)

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  twilsoncrow on 22/03/2017 - 18:26

  Hi thanks to everyone who provided some help. I just got a dell Inspiron 1500 via the eBay sale. Couldn't get myself to get the SSD so went with 1tb HDD.

  Chose the dell after having so many issues with my ASUS the last 6 months and love the dell warranty options.

  Now just have to wait for it to arrive. At least now I can hopefully focus my research energies into my uni work. Thanks again