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Need a laptop for grad school, $600 and under budget, would love recommendations!
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bluestar15
Neo Member
You can buy Lenovo Thinkpads on Ebay for about 400$+. They are cheap and powerful.
Elfotografoalocado
Banned
Again, grab a Thinkpad. You cannot go wrong.
mmazurkiewicz
Member
You guys say Thinkpad but can you really buy a Thinkpad with a SSD for under $600 unless its a couple of years old?
OP, are you going new or used?
OP, are you going new or used?
I got an asus zenbook from work. Feels like a much more expensive ultra book for around 600. Under 2 pounds, thin, the Core M is fast and performs well for the standard stuff, and along with the solid state it is fanless. Good battery too.
Keep in mind that the hybrid version has a touchscreen but is also much more reflective and struggles in bright daylight. Unless you really need the hybrid stuff or the touchscreen the regular notebook is better in that regard.
Keep in mind that the hybrid version has a touchscreen but is also much more reflective and struggles in bright daylight. Unless you really need the hybrid stuff or the touchscreen the regular notebook is better in that regard.
Do you need that much storage? You can get a nice chromebook for $300 and store whatever you need on drive/cloud/usb etc.
I have a mac, pc desktop, windows laptop and chromebook. I always go to my chromebook because it's inexpensive, does what it needs to do and I never have to worry about it being stolen or dropped.
I have a mac, pc desktop, windows laptop and chromebook. I always go to my chromebook because it's inexpensive, does what it needs to do and I never have to worry about it being stolen or dropped.
CrazedProfessional
Member
Thinkpad 420S
https://www.microsoftstore.com/stor...Pro-3-128GB-Intel-Core-i5/productID.326106000
+ a $100 type cover.
Im in love with my 2016 macbook pro 13. I haven't really liked any pc laptop i've tried.
So why am I saying this?
Because:
Don't get an old mac laptop. I have had several (as a dev) and they age fast and hard. Mac OS requires a good processor and lots of ram to not be horribly slow. For a small budget, PC laptops are the Only valid choice. Got lots of money, though? Get a new mac.
So why am I saying this?
Because:
Don't get an old mac laptop. I have had several (as a dev) and they age fast and hard. Mac OS requires a good processor and lots of ram to not be horribly slow. For a small budget, PC laptops are the Only valid choice. Got lots of money, though? Get a new mac.
old
Member
When I was in grad school we had to do tons of homework on websites that would only work properly through Internet Explorer. You couldn't even select the input box to input your answer in safari or chrome.
If I had to do grad school over I would definitely do a windows PC laptop with IE.
If I had to do grad school over I would definitely do a windows PC laptop with IE.
The op did not specify his/her major, but some of them will require you to run specialized software as part of your research. I was a Computer Engineering PhD, and I had to run a bunch of applications that were Windows or Linux-only. Probably less of an issue if you are a history major.
Also, a lot of people in academia still like to use Microsoft Office. So if you go the Chromebook route, make sure to get one that works with Office 365.
Lastly, make sure you go with something with a high quality keyboard, since you will be doing a lot of typing.
My advice, like many in this thread, would be to go with the Thinkpad T-series. Personally I would steer clear of the Macbook Air due to the shallow keyboard. I had one for a brief period in grad school and hated typing on it.
There's also typically sales that appear for the Surface Pro 4. I believe I saw an excellent deal for a new one a week or so ago for $600.
Not 13", but: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LD4MGY4/?tag=neogaf0e-20
dickroach
Member
I got the Lenovo Yoga 710 about a year ago and love it.
best buy sells it for $699, but they had a $200 student discount at the time when I got it, so.... get a time machine
but Lenovo is legit.
best buy sells it for $699, but they had a $200 student discount at the time when I got it, so.... get a time machine
but Lenovo is legit.
andythinkpad
Member
I paid 400 for a refub Surfacec Pro 3 i5 128gb.
The keyboard is not that bad to be honest.
Normally I don't like MS 2-in-1 but I have to use it at work day to day, I like it enough I brought another one for myself.
The keyboard is not that bad to be honest.
Normally I don't like MS 2-in-1 but I have to use it at work day to day, I like it enough I brought another one for myself.
soundahfekz
Member
Xps 13 2015 version
The Albatross
Member
For new machines, I feel like I'm usually recommending "Chromebook" in most of these threads. If you're a humanities major, a Chromebook will do just about everything you need, and the things you can't do on it -- advanced digital image processing, video processing, heavy development, specific applications, etc -- you can probably use your university's computer lab for.
The latest 2017 HP Chromebook 13" looks awesome and has gotten good reviews, and it's $500:
https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/08/hp-chromebook-13-review.html
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...BxYTkjITS9AsXnOroSXK19km4bX5zJ9HEcaAnYu8P8HAQ
It's got a very premium feel, great screen (3200x1800), great battery performance, weighs only a couple pounds.
Drawbacks are 4GB of Ram and it only comes with 32GB internal storage, though has an SD slot on the side and you could buy one of those slim SD cards that go flush with the system and add another 64GB or 128GB as you need it. But, if you're in the Chrome ecosystem you really don't need a lot of storage, as your photos, music, documents, and mostly everything else that takes up any space, are usually stored in the cloud. You have to be willing to try some things differently.. Like if you take a development class and need a development environment, consider using a hosted development VM in the cloud... If you need Office products, consider using Office 365, etc. Things like video or advanced photo editing are off the table, but you can get by with the 80/20 rule for most things these days (E.g., you can do maybe 80% of normal video or photo editing using tools on the cloud, and that extra 20% wont be available really). Heck, even with development these days you can get by with so much on the cloud or in a virtualized, remote environment.
The latest 2017 HP Chromebook 13" looks awesome and has gotten good reviews, and it's $500:
https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/08/hp-chromebook-13-review.html
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...BxYTkjITS9AsXnOroSXK19km4bX5zJ9HEcaAnYu8P8HAQ
It's got a very premium feel, great screen (3200x1800), great battery performance, weighs only a couple pounds.
Drawbacks are 4GB of Ram and it only comes with 32GB internal storage, though has an SD slot on the side and you could buy one of those slim SD cards that go flush with the system and add another 64GB or 128GB as you need it. But, if you're in the Chrome ecosystem you really don't need a lot of storage, as your photos, music, documents, and mostly everything else that takes up any space, are usually stored in the cloud. You have to be willing to try some things differently.. Like if you take a development class and need a development environment, consider using a hosted development VM in the cloud... If you need Office products, consider using Office 365, etc. Things like video or advanced photo editing are off the table, but you can get by with the 80/20 rule for most things these days (E.g., you can do maybe 80% of normal video or photo editing using tools on the cloud, and that extra 20% wont be available really). Heck, even with development these days you can get by with so much on the cloud or in a virtualized, remote environment.
Hesemonni
Banned
Thinkpad X230 / X250 / X260 Refurb or used. They'll fit your budget (Maybe not X260) and are built like tanks. On top of that they usually have have really long warranties, which carryover making the purchases even more safe. On top of that pretty much all the parts are easily user replaceable if the need arises after the warranty runs out. The keyboards in Thinkpads are sublime are well worth their reputation.
Skip X240 though, since it doesn't have dedicated physical mouse buttons to use with trackpoint. Once you'll get used to trackpoint you'll never use trackpad again.
Disclaimer: Typing this on a X250.
Skip X240 though, since it doesn't have dedicated physical mouse buttons to use with trackpoint. Once you'll get used to trackpoint you'll never use trackpad again.
Disclaimer: Typing this on a X250.
Spending 500$+ on a laptop that's just hard limited to what the hell you want to do with it will always sound freaking stupid to me.
Not to mention that 95% of the cloud-based software like Office online and such are complete garbage. It's really a substitute only if you just want a square to type stuff in and have zero additional requirements. Well that's not how life works most of the time.
If I had a 'real' laptop on the side, i'd consider a chromebook. If I didn't, I wouldn't even entertain the idea.
Red Liquorice
Member
I see Thinkpads recommended a lot. Is it just that they are robust and last, because I think they are so ugly. I am looking for a long lasting mid-priced laptop at the moment but I don't know if I could live with how ugly the Thinkpads are.
andythinkpad
Member
I used a X301 for 8 years, never liked the red dot mouse that much.
I can vouch for Thinkpad's build quality though, especially in the X series.
co-signing on the surface pro. ive never owned a laptop, ever. my job decided to go paperless so i picked one up on sale during easter at best buy for $550 (surface pro 4 with core m3) and i had been loving it. though as a student, the pen ($50) and keyboard (~$130)
are obvious must-haves and the additional cost must be considered. but with those refurb'd surface pro 3s i can see you coming in under budget quite easily.
Yes, it's due to their reliability.
I really like how this looks, but I'm someone who prefer functionality over form. I can't stand computers that are lit up like a Christmas tree (seriously, what's up with computer manufactures sticking RGB lights on everything).
RandomExpletive
Member
Man I've been looking at surfaces for a while, and this looks like a pretty good knockoff, assuming that you can use a stylus pen with it
Surface 2 screen and digitizer.
cartoon_soldier
Member
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Inspir...188104?hash=item1ec233b788:g:TGUAAOSww3tY6YCR
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Inspir...005434?hash=item3d37baf93a:g:4aUAAOSw~CFY6Bgd
Many more on ebay, look for certified dell refurbished laptops only.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Inspir...005434?hash=item3d37baf93a:g:4aUAAOSw~CFY6Bgd
Many more on ebay, look for certified dell refurbished laptops only.
RandomExpletive
Member
Well shit I'll add it to the list!
Thinkpads (at least the T-series) tend to be designed around business users, which aligns well with grad students.
- They have good keyboards, because you do a lot of typing.
- They have two hotswappable batteries, giving you battery life to work while traveling.
- They have lots of ports / dock support so you can easily connect external devices and aren't screwed if you have to give a presentation and forgot to bring along an adapter dongle.
They are laptops for people whose top concern is getting shit done. They aren't good if you are looking for your laptop to double as a fashion accessory.
Bboy AJ
My dog was murdered by a 3.5mm audio port and I will not rest until the standard is dead
My experience differs tremendously. Got two 2011 MacBook Airs and they run great. Plus, MacBook resale is high and part of that is because they age well. They definitely age better than Windows laptops.
Stumpokapow
listen to the mad man
I think the Thinkpad suggestion you're getting is the best for your budget.
But I would also encourage you to raise your budget because it's grad school and it's a worthwhile investment.
But I would also encourage you to raise your budget because it's grad school and it's a worthwhile investment.
I agree, my old Macbook Pro and my fiancé's Macbook Air with 4 GB RAM are still going strong. They feel better than my work Thinkpad which has an i7 and 12 GB of RAM. To be fair, the Thinkpad is probably slower because of encryption.
I don't see how a laptop can be so abrasive to the eyes that you wouldn't want to use it. When it's in use, all you see is the screen and a keyboard. Both of which are pretty standard. When it's not in use, it's likely going inside a bag/carrying case of some sort. I mean if you're going to be displaying it, I guess appearance matters but just like all cell phones today, they all look the same. Just a rectangular bar with no face buttons. Put all the latest phones side by side and they're all just black slabs of glass.
andythinkpad
Member
If you actually plug in your laptop 8+ hours a day and sometimes lock the laptop at work drawer you want ugly looking reliable business laptops.
Bringing personal laptop to work was also a gray area in my previous position, that was another reason I chose black thinkpad.
Bringing personal laptop to work was also a gray area in my previous position, that was another reason I chose black thinkpad.
RecRoulette
Member
This, I have Dell Latitude with an i7 processor, 8gb of ram, and an 128gb SSD. Cost me about $300 for everything, including ram and a new battery.
The big selling point for me was the full size keyboard
Night.Ninja
Banned
Xiaomi Mi notebook air, I'm going to order one this week
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