Laptop for Basic Home Office Use - Suggestions (Budget $1k)

taoz on 06/09/2020 - 23:28
Last edited 07/09/2020 - 09:48 by 1 other user

Hi there,
Lots of people on here know alot about computers, so I am hoping for some assistance picking what type of laptop would be best for me to get for family use.

It will be used for basic home office work mostly. Spreadsheets, webcam meeting, word documents.
No gaming, no major video editing, at most basic edit of mobile phone video in future is possible. Possible few automated data programs running few hours a day. Don't need touch screen or any fancy fps or top range screen type.

Here are some things I know I want:
- 15" screen minimum
- 16gb RAM. (got that now so thinking don't need less) option to upgrade possibly.
512gb SSD. A type I can charge later if I need bigger space.
- numerical keypad
- windows 10

I have installed ram before so I could do it works out cheaper also.

I have been looking through the deals for while now that get posted, but most seem to have stuff I just don't need, like be good for gaming.

Any help or advice on models, or type 1 to looks out for when on sale would be great.
I am in Melbourne, so getting to shops and looking at them is not happening for a while.

Thanks!

• 

  daft009 on 07/09/2020 - 06:08

  Budget?

  I really like the Acer Aspire that was posted here for $550 from Amazon

  You will need to add 16gb ram for $100 and a 512gb SSD $70 and up.

  The price keeps going up and down though..
  https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/548751

  • 

    taoz on 07/09/2020 - 07:45

    Under $1000 ideally.
    Thanks will check it out

    • 

      taoz on 07/09/2020 - 07:56

      Had a look. Says windows s. Looking up what that is, I full need the full version. Unless that can change?

      • 

        daft009 on 07/09/2020 - 08:02

        free to change to windows home, from the windows app store

        https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/4456067/windows-10-…

        EDIT: battery life on the acer is around ~4-5hrs though.
        I own 3 of them in my office for staff to use, and also got a 4th for my mum to use

        • 

          taoz on 07/09/2020 - 08:28

          @daft009: Thanks, did you change ram and SSD?
          I have crucial brand in one I use, not sure if it's the SSD or not, but after 4hrs ish the performance slows down of the laptop.
          It would be charged most the time. 5hrs is ok

          • 

            daft009 on 07/09/2020 - 09:32

            @taoz: yes i changed both on my mums one. removed the 4GB stick and made is 2x8GB, added 500GB M2 ssd and a 500GB SATA 2.5" SSD. it can take both!
            on the work ones I only added more RAM. it comes with 4GB and another slot is empty, I added a 8GB to make it 12GB.
            the work ones are just MS Office, browser, PDF reader

            in the deal link above there is a link to a youtube video on how to open the laptop which will help you :)

            • 

              taoz on 07/09/2020 - 10:11

              @daft009: Thanks..will keep a look out for the price to drop again.
              Did you need buy another power cord? For au plug

              • 

                daft009 on 07/09/2020 - 11:39

                @taoz: Yeah $5-10 from Jaycar.
                I had a few spare.

                Wall to the charging brick with a clover plug

• 

  AustriaBargain on 07/09/2020 - 07:57

  Do you care about battery life or will it be plugged in all the time? Does it matter if it is quite big and heavy, or do you want it to be light enough to carry around the house under your arm or bring outside of the house sometimes.

  • 

    taoz on 07/09/2020 - 08:30

    Plugged in most of the time. Just taken around the house otherwise really. Fee hours probably the max it would be off charge generally. If battery lasted longer good, if not no drama and if it cost more then it's not worth it for this use.
    Thanks!

• 

  deejeta on 07/09/2020 - 10:04

  For that budget I'd be grabbing a second hand 'newish' 15 inch Lenovo Thinkpad and chuck in the extra ram + ssd.

  At least you'll have piece of mind that it will last a while, (my T430 is still going strong for close to 8yrs now) and you'll have pleasant typing experience.

  • 

    taoz on 07/09/2020 - 10:11

    Thanks, I will add to list to watch