Required: 15.6 Inch, Laptop for $2k Max. I Need It to Do The Following

wmxc on 01/08/2019 - 09:08
Last edited 01/08/2019 - 09:10

Hello all!

I am interested in purchasing a new laptop. My current laptop is a Horize which has served me well for 6 years and now things are starting to lag.

I will use it for the following:

  • Heavy MS Excel & VBA Use
  • Bit of programming with Python.
  • 5-10 tabs of Youtube open in Chrome. (my horize lags like you wouldn't believe)
  • Connect to my 4k TV using HDMI and watch a downloaded 4k movie without stutter.

I will NOT use it for gaming.

Requirements:

  • Screen: 15.6" non-touch Matte screen, 1920x1080 max. 300 nits minimum. Thin bezels preferred. Higher refresh rate would be nice!
  • Software:Windows 10 installed. MS Office would be a bonus.
  • Max weight: 2.2 KGS.
  • CPU: Has to be Intel. Is an i7-8750H an overkill for the above usage? I am hoping the good people can guide me here.
  • RAM: Is 16 GB ram too much? I would like at least 8 gb as my current laptop is that much.
  • SSD: 256 gb minimum and it has to be NVMe. More storage is bonus.
  • Graphics Card: As long as it can do the above without any issues, I am happy with an INTEL onboard graphics card.
  • Ports: Minimum 2 usb ports (would prefer 3 though), 1 HDMI port, 1 LAN cable PORT

Other nice-to-haves:

  • If laptop keyboard has numeric keypad, its great but not required.
  • Backlit keyboard would be nice.
  • Fingerprint reader would be sooo good.
  • Decent multi-point trackpad.

No need for optical drive.

Thank you for any help/advice you guys will give me!

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • Purec on 01/08/2019 - 10:16
    +3

    This Dell Vostro 15 7000 priced at $1889 looks decent.

    • 15.6" 1080p display
    • Windows 10 Pro
    • Intel i7-9750H 6-core processor
    • 16gb RAM (plenty for heavy excel and browser use)

    • 512gb NVMe Drive

    • Backlit keyboard with numpad

    • Fingerprint reader
    • 3 USB 3.1 ports and a HDMI port although no ethernet port.
  • matthewperk on 01/08/2019 - 11:23
    +3

    Last year's Dell XPS 15 is also a good option (https://www.dell.com/en-au/shop/dell-laptops/xps-15-laptop/s…). Prices have gone up from EOFY pricing, but a really strong package with a great screen (1080p is great colour and brightness). So keep a look out for a decent bargain. And don't forget cash rewards cashback.

    16gb of ram is definitely recommended, it's a small cost in the scheme of things. Also the XPS 15 features user upgradable HD and Ram, so plenty of options to expand later on. (not sure about this with other recommendations - though others are also likely to be).

    Phenomenal battery life for me is a winner. The keyboard is one of the best i've used and the trackpad is good quality. The discrete graphics isn't junk and is enough for light gaming, but also plenty for designing/photoshop/indesign etc.

    Negatives for you is no trackpad (though I prefer that). And no LAN (though that's rare these days) - just use a dongle adapter.

  • crentist on 01/08/2019 - 13:26
    -1

    you've described a pretty basic list of requirements for a laptop
    just get whatever. yesterdays macbook pro deal would have been great

  • alee112 on 01/08/2019 - 14:42

    What you have described are pretty standard requirements for a laptop, so it shouldn't be that hard to find one that you require for under 2k. To elaborate, you certainly don't need an i7 for the work load that you have described, an i5 should be able to handle that flawlessly. 16gbs is also a bit overkill in my opinion, so I would go with 8gb RAM if it is upgradeable (not soldered onto the motherboard) or 16gb if you wish just for 'future-proof'.
    There are plenty of cheap 15.6" laptops with i5 (maybe not the newest gen, but the previous iteration or two) and 8gb for under 1k, that's just my take. But it's also not a bad decision to splurge a bit to get a better one for a bit more.

    • wmxc on 01/08/2019 - 15:35

      Thanks - just wanted to get confirmation from someone that i7 might be overkill.

      I might reduce my budget to $1700-$1800 and hopefully I will get the right laptop. You are right, I do want to spend a bit more and sort of "future-proof".

      I am hoping to use for 6 years at least.

  • mrkorrupt on 01/08/2019 - 15:55
    -1

    why no AMD?

    • wmxc on 01/08/2019 - 20:13

      I read about AMD chips not having good power management..

  • seraphim2017 on 01/08/2019 - 16:07

    Inspiron 15 5575 AMD Ryzen 7 2700u 16GB ram 512GB NVme SSD Win 10 Home DVD drive, Space for second stick of RAM and second SD (Sata) 15.6" Full HD matte (unsure of nits though, but ours is bright enough). $689 on dell outlet and ours seems to work fine.

    • wmxc on 01/08/2019 - 16:35

      Thanks for the info - question: Does your laptop play 4k Video on a 4k tv without stutter?

      • seraphim2017 on 01/08/2019 - 19:43

        Well, my i7-6500u 8gb will so I'd guess the Mrs one could as it's significantly more powerful.

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