Help Me Select between Two Lenovo Laptops or Suggest Me Another

Ridiculous Panda on 17/01/2024 - 19:27
Last edited 17/01/2024 - 19:59 by 1 other user

Hi. Just looking for a lightweight Windows laptop for year-7 kid. I wanted something that will not need replacing for many years.

Tossed between:

1. Lenovo 16” Ideapad Slim 5i Core i7 16/512GB $1247

2. IdeaPad Slim 5i (14", Gen 8) $1049

First is 13th gen processor. 2nd is 8th but is cheaper and has 1TB SDD and also smaller 14” screen which I think is more suitable for a kid.

I honestly don’t know too much about laptops and don’t know if the ‘gen’ is an important factor.

Which one should I get?

Thank you.

• 

  CrispyChrispy on 17/01/2024 - 19:45

  +4

  They're both 13th gen Intel chips, in fact they're exactly the same. The 'Gen 8' refers to the Lenovo laptop model.

  16" is way too big IMO for a school kid, the 1.89kg weight doesn't help either. 15.6" at most, 14" is optimal.

  The IdeaPad's 1TB storage means you most likely won't have to upgrade at all, 1TB is more than enough for school work.

  Wait around for a upsized Cashrewards CB deal or buy off the Lenovo Education store to get the best price.

• 

  nubix on 17/01/2024 - 19:45

  +1

  They actually both have the exact CPU (13620H); the Gen 8 there, refers to the 8th generation of the Ideapad Slim 5i.

  It absolutely doesn't matter after the purchase has been made, but could be easier to look up reviews of the exact model.

• 

  Hellfire on 17/01/2024 - 19:53

  +2

  Id recommend a refurb. Its unlikely to last more than a year or 2 before breaking. Kids in year 7 treat them very rough.

  You wont need high specs, gen 7 or 8 i5 should be enough.

  • 

    CrispyChrispy on 17/01/2024 - 19:55

    Kids in year 7 treat them very rough.

    YMMV

    Had a $500 laptop survive 6 years of heavy high school usage. I guess only OP knows how their kid treats their tech :)

    But 100% agree with your other points; kids won't be doing much more than web browsing and processing, specs shouldn't be a concern at all. Refurbs are a great option.

    • 

      Hellfire on 17/01/2024 - 20:11

      +2

      My first replacement was because some other kid threw their bag. 2nd one was because another kid knocked it off the desk.

      Not always how your kid treats it :)

• 

  FoxJump on 17/01/2024 - 20:06

  +1

  ask Lenovo on the chat to give you a better deal

• 

  freefall101 on 17/01/2024 - 20:19

  +3

  Make sure you look at the Lenovo education store.

• 

  Ridiculous Panda on 17/01/2024 - 21:00

  +3

  Thanks everyone..
  Bought this one for $818 from the education store..

  https://www.lenovo.com/au/en/p/laptops/ideapad/ideapad-3/ideapad-slim-3i-gen-8-(14-inch-intel)/83elcto1wwau1