Awesome deal for a small laptop.
Key Features
12.5" HD (1366 x 768) Display
Intel Core i5-6300U Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.00 GHz) OR Core i3 6100U
4GB RAM
128GB SSD
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260 (2x2, 802.11ac)
Intel® vPro Technology
Bluetooth
ThinkPad Keyboard
Windows 10 Home
Link to $499 X260 Laptop with Core i3 CPU.
https://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers-tablets/laptops/lenovo/l…
Actually, there is a $499 option. Which I have just added
https://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers-tablets/laptops/lenovo/l…
For $499, this is actually a good deal for school students starting their new semester this year. Lightweight at 1.34 KG with the basic battery config. Also normally quite expensive at over $1k start of 2017
The laptop is very robust and has a high quality build — one that is much tougher than all the consumer craptops that JB, OW or Gerry usually sells.
I recommend it if you're on a tight budget. The screen is an abomination — no getting around that but $499 pricing is attractive enough. If I was sending kids to school this is what I'd buy them for their first laptop.
Next, you would be buying them glasses! ^_^
Well, if 12 inches is too small, try this deal if you want a 14 inch device with FHD display. Not in a new condition however.
I wish it was this easy. My daughters school (a public school) requires students to have a core-i5 8gb minimum spec laptop with 6 hour battery life start of year 10.. I'm reviewing Dell refurbished list daily for Inspiron laptops which fit the bill but have doubts about whether 6 hours is achievable on their 42wh 3-cell standard batteries.
Buy this, replace the ram, and a 6 cell battery from ebay. Problem sorted.
I got a l460 i5 6xxxu 16gb sdd + mechanical hdd. The 6cell battery gives me app 10hrs.
Thinkpads should be better, able to tolerate more abuse. No experience about Dell Inspiron, can't comment on durability.
Thanks for the ideas. I'll have to compare this one to the refurbished Inspiron (possibility of less weight and upgradeable battery on this one vs larger screen and integrated battery on the Inspiron) as the Dell refurbs have better specifications than this one and are sub $600. I think the Inspiron battery can be upgraded too, but not 100% sure about this.
@NE1WeKnow: I've it's for school use, the ThinkPad win's for quality and durability. That's a major factor that can't be ignored.
i thought 12.5inch might be too small until I saw friends x270. They got full hd screen imo for that size screen lower resolution is probably fine.
but $499 pricing is attractive enough
Agree. People are spoiled and 500 for a comprehensive pc is a deal.
link doesn't work.
on 12.5" not too shabby
Screen resolution is unworkable for modern apps but great deal if you use it as desktop replacement most of the time.
I think what you say about desktop replacement is very valid. If that is what you are going to be doing this is a great deal. As you can get a full hd monitor for about $100.
I use one of these for work. Great light/small machine but as above screen is fairly poor.
4GB RAM is too small, and single slot for RAM. just had a quick look on MSY, the 16GB DDR4 2133 RAM is $230 which is nearly 1/3 price of laptop
Somebody talk me out of the $499 option (currently have $500 with of the jbhifi vouchers at 15% off) plus TRS makes this hard to ignore as a travel laptop? Or is the screen res really that much of a deterrent?
Don't buy a laptop without an IPS screen. That is more important than the resolution.
Look up ebay and get an lenovo X1 used
I notice people often have so many hundreds in JB HiFi vouchers, may I ask why? Just xmas presents? Or is there some scam I'm missing out on? haha
This screen would look sharper than my 24 inch 1080p monitor. Considering that it's only 12.5 inch, it wouldn't stop me from buying it. Also if you get the big replacement battery, it's gonna last very very long
They also have the YOGA 260 also, which has the IPS + Touch. https://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers-tablets/laptops/lenovo/l…
just in time for back to school where HD and 4/120 format really doesnt matter
I always tell people to buy refurbished laptops rather than wasting time on these. They are good for the first year then basically dead weight.
In what way do they became dead weight? I also bought my i5 Lenovo for about $200 refurbed on ebay
Old tech that has been very hard to use for a long time, not to mention after a year of use.
these aren't the celeron or pentium craptops that you see selling for this price, this is an actual well regarded business laptop from a respected line of laptops in the industry the ThinkPads.
Dell outlet have many business options and are much better spec'd.
but how about in terms of price? I don't think a laptop that is one year old is considered old tech considering cpus have been more so the same with little upgrades in the past few years. The thinkpads may give off the look of old tech, but they certainly can handle todays task with ease.
@technowiz11: You get much newer tech and better bang for buck if you go refurb, that's all I'm saying. Especially on the cheaper side. They pump out outdated laptops in tech stores like this.
The thinkpads may give off the look of old tech, but they certainly can handle todays task with ease.
I don't doubt that, but it has 4GB ram and <1080p. These are the things that you might struggle with after a year.
@StoneSin: yes I agree refurb and used is very good value for money, i have refurb thinkpads and dell latitudes and find them just as good as new ones at a fraction of the price of a new one. Its just with the price currently on offer, cheapest i've ever seen for a long while for new or even refurbished/2nd hand as 2nd hand ones go for 700+
@technowiz11: I think this type can be found refurb for $550-700. https://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers-tablets/laptops/lenovo/l…
True, but this is a good sub 13 inch laptop for THIS price.
agreed. These usually sell on eBay or on Lenovo for very expensive prices, this is considered a bargain methinks
Now that is a good deal!
I just ordered one - been looking for a ultrabook <$800 for a while now and this ticks all the boxes (would be nice if it had 256gb though).
I think this has been OzBargained! The link is now 404'd :(
Does anyone know if this comes with the 3 cell or 6 cell battery pack?
I got an i5 Thinkpad from a refurbished guy on ebay for about $200. There are better deals if you're willing to go second hand. Had mine about 6 months it is i5-2540M 8gbram
yeah but look at it like this… that is 2nd gen (ie. early 2011!)
the above is already two gens behind
we are in the 8th gen.
I have no issue with older hardware but you may be going back too far.
For the enthusiast, no problem.
What problems would i be encountering now or in the future? Computer still is running fine for me…
For laptops, the main thing would be the battery. Of course, you can replace it but that also costs more.
@akaakmdm: If you're talking about the X220 which are the ones with the second gen CPU - the performance on those are very very competitive even when compared to the 6th gen intel mobile processor.
What was special about that model was the very high degree of customisation which allowed the laptop to have a max of 16gb ram from 2 slots. Every part of the laptop was easily swappable with the provided user manual and a screwdriver the only tool you require.
There's a lot to like about that model dating way back but in essence - put in a SSD and 16GB of ram along with an IPS screen and you have one hell of a machine that's durable, spill proof keyboard and much more.
while these seem like decent deals, they are very old models and one might be better off waiting for sales on their newer models if your budget is >600 to 1000. from what i can see, the newer lenovos typically drop to around the 1000 range when on sale.
Can someone help out a clueless mother. My daughter's school requires:
wireless: Devices must have wireless that is able to run on either the G or N standard (eg: “802.11 B/G/N” is ok because both N and G are listed – we just need one of them). Please note that if the wireless runs only on A or B standard, this is not suitable for the College network
Can a machine with ac work or not?
Cheers
Yes, will work.
The cheaper i3 version will likely be enough for school work. Might want to upgrade to 8GB ram at a comp store. Not sure how much they cost, should be around $50. (Other ozb-er might provide current price on rams).
yep AC wifi means a/b/g/n/c so it includes all of the current WiFi standards
1366 x 768 resolution make this deal less attractive.