2 in 1 Laptop for Uni ~ $600?

Lpennypincher98 on 18/08/2017 - 14:08
Last edited 18/08/2017 - 14:27 by 1 other user

Not sure if this or Computing is the best place to post, but I'm new so bear with me.

I'm after a 2 in 1 device (either convertible or detachable) with preferably an i3 or m3/m5 processor. $600 is not my limit, it is just a guideline, I would rather pay for performance.

Specific requirements I need in order:

  1. It needs to be a 2 in 1 device.
  2. Importantly, I need a laptop with good battery life. Anything under 8 hours is not ideal.
  3. Thirdly, I need a good enough processor to run various applications - no atoms/celerons.
  4. Please also bear in mind the storage. I don't mind whether it's HDD or SSD, but 128gb minimum.
  5. The display - I am going to be doing some major reading/watching on this so no crappy resolutions.
  6. Ideally, 11.6-13.3 inches. I could maybe go a 14 inch but that's as big as I want.
  7. An added bonus would be for it to have thin bezels, a normal size HDMI port not micro and a good amount of ports, however it's not that important.

Thanks all!

Computing

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 18/08/2017 - 14:49

    If you don't require windows, Chromebooks will suit that purpose. For e.g Samsung Chromebook Plus

    if you do require windows, here's a list of notebooks (2 in 1) and prices on SI

    Asus Transformer Book (T100HA) https://www.theverge.com/2015/6/1/8695983/asus-transformer-b…
    Lenovo Yoga 910. http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=yoga+510&sp…
    Dell Inspiron 13 7000 (2 in one version) https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/306663
    Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 510 http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=Lenovo+Idea…
    Acer Switch Alpha. http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=Acer+Switch….

    Unfortunately, your list of requirements cannot be entirely met for a budget of $600 AUD. if it were $600 USD that might be possible. You'd have to raise your budget to about $1k to afford a device that ticks all or most of your boxes.

    for a budget of 515 dollars, you could buy…
    Inspiron 11 3000 2-in-1 Laptop (3179) specced with Core m3-7Y30, 4GB RAM, 1366 x 768 touch display and 128GB SSD from Dell Outlet.

    be sure to check out the Poll (What's the best laptop for students under $1k), the Lenovo E470 and Xiaomi are good picks however they are traditional clamshell laptops.

    • pennypincher98 on 18/08/2017 - 17:07

      That Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 510 also looks intriguing especially with its similarities to ms surface, but I would just worry about battery life with this??

      • scrimshaw on 18/08/2017 - 18:07

        battery life is short, around 5 hours.

        • pennypincher98 on 18/08/2017 - 18:32

          So with that in mind - would you pick this over the Dell DFO-6N0TVB2IP?

        • scrimshaw on 18/08/2017 - 19:03

          @pennypincher98:

          There is a local seller here usable with PBTECH code
          https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/320454

          Intel Core i5 256GB + 8gigs of RAM.

          $780 dollars. Whether you should buy it depends whether you want to use Wacom Pen + detachable KB or not. As you said, it resembles a Surface Pro.

        • pennypincher98 on 18/08/2017 - 20:29

          @scrimshaw: There's an i3 selling on kogan for $622 (after $30 discount) that I put in my massive post down there, recommended or not?

  • YLD1 on 18/08/2017 - 14:52
    +2

    just a note

    the M3/M5 processors, in my opinion, cannot satsify a requirement that it needs to run "various applications"

    you need an i3 at least

  • MattyAu on 18/08/2017 - 15:04
    +1

    Take a look in Dell Factory outlet if you're on a budget: http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/product…

    Inspiron 13 5000 2-in-1 Laptop, 6th Generation Intel Core i3-6100U Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.30 GHz), 4 GB RAM, 1TB HDD, 802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.2, Dual Band 2.4&5 GHz, 13.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Truelife LED-Backlit Touch Display with Wide Viewing Angles. $569. Not sure about battery life though

    • scrimshaw on 18/08/2017 - 15:09

      5.26 hours battery on video loop test. https://www.pcauthority.com.au/Review/441357,review-dell-ins…

      It's not bad, but not great, but at that price it actually fits OP's budget.

      • MattyAu on 18/08/2017 - 15:12

        Yeah, as you stated in your post, hard to fit the requested specs to the max spend. Dell Factory outlet is what usually what comes to mind when people mention they're are on a budget; it's what I did when I was a student. lol

  • pennypincher98 on 18/08/2017 - 16:50

    Thanks for all your replies so far, Celerons are way too slow for me but would a Pentium do?
    - Inspiron 11 3000 2-in-1 Laptop, Intel Pentium Processor N3710 (2M Cache, up to 2.56 GHz) only $379 but would it be good enough? The clock speed is good but will I run into trouble with that cache you reckon?
    - Inspiron 11 3000 2-in-1 Laptop, 7th Generation Intel Core m3-7Y30 Processor (4M Cache, up to 2.60 GHz) is $429 and has twice the cache, and as it is a mobile processor it will use less battery > more battery life but still not entirely convinced?
    - Inspiron 13 5000 2-in-1 Laptop, 6th Generation Intel Core i3-6100U Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.30 GHz) heres a 13 inch i3 for $569 that has a better display, but I can't help but think the m3 processor is better in this case? Happy to be proven wrong. This one has 1TB HDD
    - Inspiron 13 5000 2-in-1 (5378), 7th Generation Intel Core i5-7200U Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.10 GHz) or should I throw away the $600 idea and get one that's $799 and I know will be great - this is also an "as new" one not "refurbished" DDR4 memory also in this (4gb)
    - Inspiron 13 5000 2-in-1 laptop, 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7500U Processor (4M Cache, up to 3.50 GHz) but then that's only $50 away from an i7 with 8gb of ddr4 for $849? Refurbished, but 13 inch. Has 256gb sdd, all others have 128gb ssd (except for i3) and 4gb ram.

    i3, i5 and i7 have FHD screens, where as others are HD.
    Should've also mentioned windows is a requirement :)
    Thanks!

    Also chuck this in the mix - $622 (I have a $30 code) for i3, FHD 12.2 inch, 128gb ssd.

    EDIT: Also just a question on fans vs fanless, if I study in a quiet/silent area will it be (embarrassingly) loud?

    • frondono on 18/08/2017 - 17:23

      I got the Inspiron 11 3000 2-in-1 Laptop, 7th Generation Intel Core m3-7Y30

      from the dell outlet for $390. very happy for what it is.
      silent. the only thing I don't like is the screen, the viewing angles suck.

      • pennypincher98 on 18/08/2017 - 17:27

        Thanks for the info, when you say the viewing angles suck at what point and how bad? I'll just be viewing at fairly standard angles (maybe 120)?

        • frondono on 18/08/2017 - 17:35

          If you're looking at the screen it's fine. I have trouble when laying down watching a movie, it takes some fine tuning so you get to see the proper colours(pushing the screen away/towards). I get about 5 hours battery out of it. Some of the reviews will probably explain the screen better.

        • pennypincher98 on 18/08/2017 - 17:39

          @frondono: 5 hours. I get double that with my current machine, sometimes 12-13 hours. Granted that isn't continuous movie watching but I don't want to have to carry a plug wherever I go! It should have enough charge by the end of the day that I can still charge my phone partially.

          Is that 5 hours heavy usage?

        • frondono on 18/08/2017 - 17:43

          @pennypincher98: mostly browsing the net, videos, word processing. It says 9ish hours when it's fully charged. but it would be more like 5.5-6.5. I haven't really used it that much in a while, so my memory could be a little hazy.

        • pennypincher98 on 18/08/2017 - 17:47

          @frondono: Hmm.. so just essentially general uni stuff. I have my main laptop (Dell Inspiron 15) which says it has about 7 hrs after I pull out the plug. I use it for 15 minutes and it says it has 1.5-2hrs remaining. Amazing.

          Sorry for the Q&A session, but is there a reason you don't use it much? Is it to do with it?

        • frondono on 18/08/2017 - 17:48

          @pennypincher98: I have a home pc for normal use, I just needed a portable for a job I was working on.

        • frondono on 18/08/2017 - 17:49

          @pennypincher98: I just went and put it on charge, I'll let you know what it says later.

        • frondono on 18/08/2017 - 17:50

          @pennypincher98: I was using it with kodi hooked up to my tv, but now am using a alternative method, it workd awesomely though.

        • pennypincher98 on 18/08/2017 - 17:50

          @frondono: Yeah that's kind of similar to me I have my main for normal use, but I also need one for uni that performs all uni applications and softwares and my current one just isn't really cutting it.

          Thanks for that appreciate it!

        • scrimshaw on 18/08/2017 - 18:18

          The Dell Inspiron 13 5000 series should be the minimum of what you want, but only if you can put up with roughly 5 hours of battery life. However, it charges reasonably quick.

          DFO-6N0TVB2IP would be the tightass option, a 13.3 inch Full HD touch display, but with slow HDD and a basic loadout of Core i3 and 4G of ram. Price $569.

          Consider buying a solid state drive and upgrading it yourself (lets just say, $130 dollars for a respectable 275GB Crucial SSD)

          DFO-J7YQ1F2IP would be a higher end option with higher Core i7 and 8GB of RAM, plus 256 GB SSD, but you're paying $849, but you probably won't need to stretch this far if you don't need that extra CPU performance.

          http://www.gadgetguy.com.au/product/review-dell-inspiron-13-…
          https://www.notebookcheck.net/Dell-Inspiron-13-5368-Converti…

        • pennypincher98 on 18/08/2017 - 18:30

          @scrimshaw:
          Two questions:
          first is how slow is HDD really? I've put up with eMMC so might not be that much of an issue
          Second, what would you recommend then if the Dell Inspiron 13 5000 is the minimum of what I should want + short battery life?

          I might just also add that I have my main PC for home, I am just going to be using this for uni, at uni and on the train (which is admittedly a lot)

        • scrimshaw on 18/08/2017 - 18:39

          @pennypincher98:

          5400RPM hdd's are very slow in everyday performance, programs can take a while to open and boot times of one minute onwards are common, if you have a lot of things running.

          EMMC memory varies from device to device — they can range from very slow (comparable to slow 5400RPM) to faster than a conventional drive.

          Typically for $600 dollars I don't expect a laptop to have all the following boxes ticked:

          1. a battery life of 5-6 hrs+
          2. 1080p display, preferably IPS but TN is fine too.
          3. Core i3 series CPU

          If you can get a device that has 3 criterias met, then you should have a decent "University" laptop. Of course, some people can still make do with a Pentium N3710 CPU and 720p display, so the Dell Inspiron 11 3000 series might still suit casual users. However, I don't recommend 720p when you are buying something that costs more than $500.

          here's the funny thing — devices that have Core "M" series CPU's are typically more expensive and more 'premium' than Core i-series, even though the M processors are not that powerful.

          However, Core M devices generally have all-day battery lives, which is definitely a thing suited for business users. This results in a much higher price tag and you have to spend almost a grand to get that kind of specification.

        • pennypincher98 on 18/08/2017 - 20:26

          @scrimshaw: Inspiron 11 3000 2-in-1 Laptop, 7th Generation Intel Core m3-7Y30 Processor (4M Cache, up to 2.60 GHz) is $429?

          I'll definitely take the advice about HDD though thanks :)

        • scrimshaw on 18/08/2017 - 20:29
          +1

          @pennypincher98:

          1366 * 768 display, that's why its so cheap

        • pennypincher98 on 18/08/2017 - 20:30

          @scrimshaw: Although I'm not paying over $500 for a 720p?

        • scrimshaw on 18/08/2017 - 20:31

          @pennypincher98:

          That's true :0
          Well, up to you to decide whether you want 720p laptop. AFAIK Inspiron 11 3000 2in1 cannot be specced with a FHD display so it's forever stuck with 720p screen.

          I can see that the outlet is now closed though, so you'll need to wait till Monday to see it restock.

        • frondono on 18/08/2017 - 21:42

          @pennypincher98: Just had a look. the battery said 9hrs 15mins when inactive. when I start browsing youtube it goes down to 6 hours 3 mins. It turns on in about 10 secs. read speed over 400mbps write is about 100mbps.

        • frondono on 19/08/2017 - 01:01

          @frondono: 6 hours 30 minutes

        • pennypincher98 on 19/08/2017 - 07:33

          @frondono: Hmmm.. Would these be on display somewhere like JB/HN/OW/Bing Lee where I could see or is that most likely out of the question??

        • pennypincher98 on 19/08/2017 - 07:34

          @scrimshaw: Umm.. how do I go about how would you say securing stock from the outlet for me?

          Preferably not a 720p but as far as the list above goes that's 5th

  • Bystander on 18/08/2017 - 19:46

    Asus C302 Chromebook

    • pennypincher98 on 18/08/2017 - 20:24

      Is there a windows version of that? :)
      I mentioned somewhere Windows as a requirement, although sorry not in main post.

      Thanks anyway :)

      • Bystander on 18/08/2017 - 21:59
        +1

        Yeah. I know you're after Windows but personally I'm yet to find a Win app that doesn't have an equivalent in Chrome OS. (Apart from gaming)

        Hope you find what you're after.

      • O O on 19/08/2017 - 04:42

        Is there a windows version of that? :)

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/281384

        but not in your price range, and the deal was expired.

  • pennypincher98 on 19/08/2017 - 19:57

    Would I be better off with an older surface pro? This one on ebay selling for $375 after discount Yes its only a Surface Pro 2 but I am not really needing the latest and greatest.

    Or Surface Pro 3 for $575 before any applicable discounts EDIT: this model doesn't include keyboard or stylus pen so unless it can be cheaply sourced I can't see this being a viable option.

    Option 2: Surface Pro 3 "with slight dent on case" $519 after discount with keyboard.

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