Poll: Best Laptops and Ultrabooks under $1000 for Students in 2017

scrimshaw on 27/07/2017 - 16:43
Last edited 03/08/2017 - 13:30

Moderators at OzBargain have decided to run yearly polls to decide the best products in popular categories that get asked repeatedly in the forum. Our aim is to have a central thread where users can vote on the items, suggest options and also change their vote throughout the year. The polls will end once the year is over.

Question

What is the best laptop or ultrabook for students under $1000?

Laptops – while certainly not as cheap or ubiquitous as a pen and paper, is still an essential piece of tech for many students going into high school or university.
Laptops are also a mandatory piece of equipment for some high school students and many have BYOD IT programs that dictate minimum spec requirements which can make the task of finding a suitable school laptop tricker.

  • 🔋 One of the most important features for a uni / school device is an all-day battery life, saving you the hassle of having to charge in the middle of your day and also not have to carry around a charger;

  • 💪 Consider the trade-offs between performance over portability. Larger laptops are easier to type on, have a range of storage expansion options and graphics card options, while smaller laptops are more portable and easier to carry around, but usually aren't as powerful.

  • 💻 Some devices have different form factors, ranging from a traditional clamshell, to a two in one detachable form factor or convertible.

Tips: Found a device you liked? You can click on the 'Related Products' section to view current or active deals, and see forum discussions related to it.

  • Don’t see a device that you like in the poll options? Make a (sensible) suggestion that fits the $1000 budget and we’ll add it to the list
  • You are allowed to change your vote.

How to make a Poll suggestion: Fill out this little box which appears on the top of your usual commenting textbox.

Image.

Poll Options expired

This is part of What Should I Buy poll for 2017. Check out other recommendations from the OzBargain community.
Computing 11.6inch Computer Dell Laptop Lenovo Tablet What Should I Buy Xiaomi

Comments

  • Kangal on 27/07/2017 - 17:12

    No specific models, and in no specific order (just my preference)

    1- HP Spectre X360
    2- Lenovo Yoga
    3- Asus Transformer 3 Pro
    4- Dell Inspiron 13
    5- Acer Aspire Switch Alpha 12
    6- Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 510
    7- Acer Aspire S13

    I think a 6th-gen Core i5-U* (or better), 8GB DDR3 RAM (or better), 256GB M.2 SSD (or better), 40Wh Battery (or better), 1080p IPS (or better), 11" to 14" (personal preference), 18mm thick (or better), 1.6kg heavy (or better)……. should be targeted as they are the mainstream/mid-range offerings. Hopefully a device fitting the description would be in the $800-$1,200 price range. Of course value depends also on the ports, quality fit-polish-finish, and support.

    Not sure if anyone agrees with the points raised here. I'm hesitant to include specific models to the poll.

    *The 7th-gen Core i3-U's are pretty awesome: adequately featured, almost as efficient, but more powerful than the Core M7-Y which are really expensive. I would say people should avoid the Core M's/Core i-Y's unless a specific reason.

    • scrimshaw on 27/07/2017 - 17:39

      You need to add a poll option in your comment for it to be added. Sorry, only 1 poll option can be added per comment (it's the limitation of Ozbargain database).

      Also make sure it's generally available for $1k or less (not counting extremely time limited eBay sales). Spectre X360 is on the top end of the spectrum.

      I will add some of your poll options now.

  • O O on 27/07/2017 - 17:25
    +4
    Suggested Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3"

    My pick would be Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3"

    Good price/performance ratio, good IPS display, unibody-casing and have 2 M.2 SSD slots. It has been as low as $845. Here is the specs

    • Intel Core i5-6200U
    • NVidia GeForce 940MX
    • 8GB DDR4 RAM
    • 256GB NVMe SSD
    • 13.3" FHD (1920x1080) IPS Screen
    • 578Wh/L 40W Battery
    • 309.6 x 210.9 x 14.8mm 1.28Kg
    • Halsmich on 27/07/2017 - 19:13

      Would recommend the 12 inch version also, which I currently use myself. Is less powerful, but the extra power generally won't come too in handy when considering daily school tasks, and it means slightly better battery life. Is lighter as well, which makes a lot of a difference, so lugging it in your bag/moving around with it between classes is less tiring, and is easier to manoeuvre with on the stairs and in crowds.

    • WinstonWithAY on 02/10/2017 - 20:57

      From what I've seen it has a better battery life with WiFi running (6.5 hours vs 5.5 hours)

  • iforgotmysocks on 27/07/2017 - 17:35
    +1

    E470 seems great bang for buck when on sale

    • AMDneverdies on 30/07/2017 - 11:11

      Isn't the laptop too thick for a uni student? Comparing to Xiaomi air and Dell inspiron 11.

      But the specs on E470 is undeniably great.

  • scrimshaw on 27/07/2017 - 17:36
    Suggested Lenovo ThinkPad E470

    Lenovo Thinkpad is good. adding it in now.

    The Lenovo E470 is a 14" laptop, typically specced with dual core Core i5 or up to Core i7 CPU with 8GB of RAM (max spec 16GB), with either 500GB HDD or optional OPAL 240GB Solid State Drive. It only supports one drive in it's 2.5" bay (no M.2 and optical drives)

    It can come with a Nvidia 940MX GPU with 2GB VRAM which is capable of running older titles and E-sports titles, like DOTA2, SC2 and Overwatch at medium settings @ 60fps.

    Regularly goes on sale for less than $1000.

  • scrimshaw on 27/07/2017 - 17:41
    Suggested Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 510

    added Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 510

    It's a 12.5 inch, Full HD IPS detachable two-in-one tablet computer and specced with either Core i3 6100U, or Core i5 6200U CPU and 8GB of RAM, with 128 SSD or 240GB SSD. It comes in under $900.

    Can be used fully in tablet mode or laptop mode.

    It rivals the Surface Pro 3 and has the advantage of having a keyboard and Wacom Stylus already included, which is good value.

    Slightly outdated tech and only has 5 hours and 25 minutes of real battery life however.

  • scrimshaw on 27/07/2017 - 17:44
    Suggested Dell Inspiron 11 3000 Series

    added Dell Inspiron 11.

    Specs

    Intel Pentium N3710
    4GB RAM
    128GB SSD
    11.6 1366 x 768 display
    10 hour battery life
    dual band wifi

    Normally under $330 when on sale on eBay, but it's original RRP price is usually 399

    • tonyjzx on 12/12/2017 - 19:19

      I'm probably best off buying these once a year until they hit the HSC…

      seems to fit the bill… while I hate the shitty HD screen I bet this barely matters to the 99% out there.

  • onetwothreefour on 27/07/2017 - 18:42

    Any recommendations around $600? For home use, watching and downloading videos, internet etc, preferably 15 inch screen.

  • Odin on 28/07/2017 - 00:15

    Acer Zenbook UX330?

    Priced at around $897 from amazon.

    • AMDneverdies on 30/07/2017 - 11:08

      What you mean is Asus Zenbook UX330, not Acer.

      It's a lightweight laptop with great specs as well.

      • RyanMK on 30/07/2017 - 11:55

        Is there a difference between the UX330UA-FC083R and UX330UA-FC083T?

  • Lockster on 28/07/2017 - 17:04

    What do you think of renting a laptop?

    • WinstonWithAY on 02/10/2017 - 21:00

      I'm not sure if that's a serious suggestion, but if someone plans to keep the laptop for over a year then renting is far more expensive than purchasing one outright

  • AMDneverdies on 30/07/2017 - 11:24
    +3

    OP, what about chromebooks?

    Some are good for uni student, like the Samsung Chromebook Plus and Asus Chromebook flip.

    • WinstonWithAY on 02/10/2017 - 21:02

      The Asus one is better since it has a backlit keyboard, better battery life and more storage. So I reckon it should be added over the Samsung one

  • AlienC on 03/08/2017 - 19:31

    I only have recommendations for uni students in game development or 3d modelling/digital media because all my recommendations are usually gaming oriented or very low spec Amazon ones. My general use knowledge is pretty limited or not as honed in as my gaming one.

    But for those looking for answers I highly recommend these two YouTube channels for up to date very easily digestible laptop and tech information.

    Dave Lee

    Linus Tech Tips

    MobileTechReview

    There are plenty of laptop review YouTube channels but these I have found are either the best or my top personal favourites.

  • pennypincher98 on 06/08/2017 - 17:25

    I am not going to suggest a poll option as such but HP's x360 range is amazing!! While they aren't all under $1000 a fair few of them are. They start from just $399 at HN so I'm sure there is one for your budget. The reason these are great is not only can they turn into a tablet, laptop or tent/stand depending on whether you are typing, watching lectures or doing group work (full sized HDMI port also!) they also have an amazing battery life - up to 13 1/2 hours and never any less than 10, only rarely below 12.
    And you can never go wrong with a HP :D

    Makes me wonder why I stuck to dells for so long..

  • EnterTheShiftKey on 14/08/2017 - 11:34
    Suggested MacBook Air

    Although it's not usually under $1000, has poor/average spec and display, you can't argue the macbook air has the best battery life of any device period.

    It all comes down to what uni students value more, but the amazing battery life is something to be considered

    • scrimshaw on 14/08/2017 - 11:50
      +1

      For us to add it into the poll… it would have to be normally obtainable at $1000 or under. I know the Shopmonk deal is active, but some problems are:

      this kind of deal is very rare (maybe once a year thing)
      Is very time limited (not a long running deal)
      and only a very limited number (200 units) too would be sold at that price.

      • PVA on 05/09/2017 - 19:25

        I agree it's a great unit for students. My son had one and it lasted for years and great battery life but it's way too rare to be under the $1000 limit.

  • Word on 17/08/2017 - 18:30

    Zenbook.

  • Jabberwocky on 03/09/2017 - 16:39
    Suggested Acer Spin 5

    Acer Spin 5 , i5-7200U, 256GB SSD, 8GB RAM, FHD Touch Screen - $650 Delivered
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/327285

  • sanf on 05/09/2017 - 19:14
    +1

    It's nothing but a sea of Apple mac's in the lecture theatre at my uni

    • PVA on 05/09/2017 - 19:25

      Under $1000 though?

      • sanf on 05/09/2017 - 21:13

        Yeah I remember when they used to be cheaper. Ridiculous how a MacBook Air is $1499 now.

        • PVA on 05/09/2017 - 22:00

          Yeah, airs a great but well over priced really.

  • lplsz on 06/09/2017 - 22:27

    I would highly recommand to pay around $1200 for a i5 360 mx150 version. Small edge is the main reason. And superly light and cheap compare with others like shitty xps 13

  • EVL on 07/09/2017 - 00:26

    I'd look at the Dell Outlet, absolute bargains there.
    And general quality of Dell vs HP, Asus, Acer, Toshiba.
    Never been satisfied with my previous laptops, but I'm past a year and still not looking at upgrades.

  • [Deactivated] on 07/09/2017 - 09:34

    Mi Air is cheaper, but E470 simply because of local warranty. It's protected under consumer law for at least a few years, or for the full 3 years guaranteed with the extra cover. Still totals under $1k.

    Also is a lot easier to service, but I'm unsure how good Lenovos warranty team is. With HP the local highschool often changes parts on site and simply sends the broken parts (ie HDD) back under warranty to have them replaced. Means parts can be replaced (very easily) on the day, if Lenovo has a decent warranty team this would be the same. The Xiaomi looks a little harder to service and I assume the warranty team wouldn't replace anything without receiving the full unit back.

  • 87percent on 11/10/2017 - 22:27

    Bumping this thread

    iPad with KB vs Surface Pro for note takings and that in class… Which do you think would be better? Or even a 2-1 where you can write?

    • akaakmdm on 22/10/2017 - 13:24

      Don't go with the iPad unless you ONLY intend to do notetaking. They're good for annotating PDFs and reading textbooks, but when it comes to assignments and even small classroom tasks they're a pain.

      From personal experience, you can do everything you need to on an iPad, but some things just take twice as long. Usually it's the silly little things like trying to submit an assignment to the uni system, only to find that the webpage doesn't scroll properly on Safari so you have to upload the document to OneDrive, open it on your phone and submit on your phone. Sometimes a friend or a tutor will hand you a flash drive and you can only stare blankly at it. The lack of I/O and the clunky file management just makes an iPad janky at times. That said, they're super light and the batteries last forever.

      IMO, any laptop is fine for most courses.
      If you're doing engineering or something that requires maths formulae, go with the surface or a 2-1 with pen input.

  • agam2104 on 14/10/2017 - 13:59
    +1

    Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3" is a great laptop, but due to warranty and windows problem, I would not recommend it.

    • thonk on 06/11/2017 - 20:21

      Yeah I don't really want to risk it, repairing it if it malfunctions is going to be a disaster.

  • jasswolf on 06/12/2017 - 14:57

    Jumping in to suggest the 2018 HP Envy x2 for the early front runner next year. ;)

    The ASUS NovaGo probably fits the clamshell design more closely, but I expect there'll be more enticing budget options in Q2 2018 (not great timing for a school purchase, but oh well).

    Both are powered by a Snapdragon 835, which means insane battery life compared to anything in the same performance profile from AMD or Intel, and through W10 and a proper keyboard/touchpad combo, they kill off the iPad Pro in the productivity stakes.

    For myself, I'm really looking forward to the Snapdragon 845 offerings.

  • UFO on 25/12/2017 - 12:32
    Suggested Asus Chromebook Flip C302

    Getting awesome reviews of late. Hard to find in AU yet, but offers more than enough punch for student use, good battery life, and is incredibly light.
    Plenty of hacks to allow offline office use, so you dont have to rely on Office Online.

    Additionally, the Chromebook setup will most likely be compatible with your school online homework/schooling programs. Primary school (Reading Eggs, Mathletics etc), and also secondary school programs.

    Of course I suggest you do your homework with your school first to see if the platform is supported, but this particular Chromebook hasn't been out for long and is blitzing the competition in reviews all over.

    Should be able to be found for $1000 delivered easily, but look out for sales.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join