Laptop for Uni

MotheroftheKid

Hi, I am looking to purchase my DS a laptop which he can transport easily to and from Uni and use for study as well as the usual entertainment. I want to spend about £350. I have narrowed it down, with my extremely limited technical knowledge to 3. DS is studying physics, I'm not sure whether this will make a difference in choice.

https://www.ebuyer.com/874549-hp-255-g7-ryzen-3-8gb-256gb-full-hd-15-6in-win10-laptop-6bn96ea-abu?wgu=267255_162949_15726176178421_6f52701281&wgexpiry=1580393617&utm_source=webgains&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=60869&utm_campaign=Future%20Publishing%20Ltd_162949

https://www.ebuyer.com/901659-lenovo-v155-15api-amd-ryzen-5-3500u-8gb-256gb-ssd-15-6-inch-full-hd-81v50008uk?wgu=267255_162949_15726170889009_33c83d1c46&wgexpiry=1580393088&utm_source=webgains&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=60869&utm_campaign=Future%20Publishing%20Ltd_162949

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/156-asus-vivobook-15-x509ua-ej064t-full-hd-nanoedge-display-laptop-core-i3-7020u-4gb-ram-256gb-ssd-w

le_veilleur

Well in the end I'd choose HP or Lenovo.

Since it's for uni and "usual entertainment" (as I believe is streaming movies, browsing, music) HP with ryzen 3 should be enough.

If we're including gaming to "usual entertainment" then ryzen 3 probably will be lacking in its capabilities.

For simple stuff, basic use and university HP should be enough.

Cisco001

I assume 1.9kg is OK for him? If not, you may need to look at lower spec, but lighter laptop

ACER Aspire 5 A515-43 15.6" AMD Ryzen 5 Laptop - 256 GB SSD, Silver
£399

This over £399 Lenovo above due to IPS screen
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/acer-aspire-5-a515-43-15-6-amd-ryzen-5-laptop-256-gb-ssd-silver-10198290-pdt.html

Under £350 intel version would be this
ACER EXTENSA 15
https://www.box.co.uk/NX.EFREK.014-Acer-Extensa-15_2612001.html

Intel Core i3-8145U Dual-Core Processor
15.6" Full HD Anti-Glare Screen
Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64-bit
8GB DDR4 RAM
256GB M.2 NVMe SSD
Integrated Intel UHD 620 Graphics
USB3 | HDMI | Bluetooth
Microsoft Precision Touchpad
NX.EFREK.014

This is very good value for money, but probably need upgrade soon.
Vivobook F412DA-EK080T AMD Ryzen 3 R3-3200 4GB RAM 128GB SSD 14in Full HD Laptop - Grey £280
https://www.very.co.uk/asus-vivobook-f412da-ek080t-amd-ryzen-3-r3-3200-4gb-ram-128gb-ssd-14in-full-hd-laptop-grey/1600420474.prd

DE_612183

2nd hand macbook air is your best bet - or new if you can afford it

le_veilleur

Also if you're willing to drop in 50 more pounds, this is a really good deal:

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/acer-aspire-5-a515-43-15-6-amd-ryzen-5-laptop-256-gb-ssd-silver-10198290-pdt.html

MotheroftheKid

Thanks. He has a desktop for his gaming. This is really for taking to uni and between lectures, he can do some work, it's very difficult to get on a pc on campus.

Cisco001

MotheroftheKid wrote: »

Thanks. He has a desktop for his gaming. This is really for taking to uni and between lectures, he can do some work, it's very difficult to get on a pc on campus.

If that is the case, I suggest smaller laptop
15.6" is kind of too big to carry around IMO.

That £280 14" Asus should do the job.

ballyblack

le_veilleur wrote: »

Also if you're willing to drop in 50 more pounds, this is a really good deal:

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/acer-aspire-5-a515-43-15-6-amd-ryzen-5-laptop-256-gb-ssd-silver-10198290-pdt.html

See Post 3

MotheroftheKid

Cisco001 wrote: »

If that is the case, I suggest smaller laptop
15.6" is kind of too big to carry around IMO.

That £280 14" Asus should do the job.

Yes, I think a 14" will be better.

that

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-ProBook-450-G5-i5-8250U-256GB-SSD-8GB-RAM-1920-x-1080-display-USA-Keyboard/202824101795

new keyboard is £22 from ebay if the kid studies economics and has to use the £ sign a lot. I'd probably leave it in.

Adapter plug, or buy the correct cable. Think £3 - ebay, but if you have an old uk mains plug lying around then free.

Make an offer, but be prepaired to walk away, and dont let the person hold you on a leash. £170 with no bids

Or one of these and spend an extra £25 for an SSD https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-450-G5-ProBook-Laptop-Intel-i5-8th-Gen-15-6-500gb-warranty/254425831465? £240

The i5-8250U is quicker than the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U, by about 10%, but you probably will not notice it.the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U is better at some stuff that the intel, but generally very similar.

I have not gone through them with a fine tooth comb, but you cant really go wrong with HP, Dell, Lenovo or Tosh. If you buy an 'ebuyer' no-name brand, in the future you may not get spares, like psu or batteries etc. as they sell no where neet the quanity of the big manuafacturers

EveryWhere

Don't neglect to look at the laptop linked to on a concurrent thread; https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/lenovo-ideapad-330s-intel-core-i3-8gb-ram-128gb-ssd-14-inch-full-hd-ips-screen-laptop-3328017

Decent enough spec and around £40 to extend the warranty to a three year on-site(five business days).

So just over £300 with a three year on-site warranty.