Entry level Notebook/laptop for Online School

[Mys]

Hi all,

Just looking for some advise re a laptop for online schooling - Grade 4 so it'll mainly be zoom/webinar usage.

Budgets about R7k and it seems like that'll get me a 14/15" Display, i3/Celeron (I see they call them Dual core) processor, 4gb RAM, and 1TB HDD or a 256/512gb SSD.

Battery may not be a massive issue since machine will be stationary but some light portability will be required.

My main question centers around support - bigger ticket items will get you on-site support and great after sales service but i am not sure what support looks like at these levels. Does it really boil down to the reseller you purchase from. Would not mind paying extra if great support is in the mix.

And if support is not going to be the differentiator, what are the brands of choice that won't have me running back to the reseller every time there is a problem?

 

[Wide]

i3, ssd, 8gb ram, asus seems to have better warranty (collection etc), they also have asus premium at an additional cost.

Asus 39 cm (15.6") VivoBook X543 Intel Core i3 Laptop (SSD) | Core i3 | Notebooks | Laptops & Notebooks | Computers & Tablets | Electronics & Computers | Makro Online Site

www.makro.co.za

 

[Mys]

i3, ssd, 8gb ram, asus seems to have better warranty (collection etc), they also have asus premium at an additional cost.

Asus 39 cm (15.6") VivoBook X543 Intel Core i3 Laptop (SSD) | Core i3 | Notebooks | Laptops & Notebooks | Computers & Tablets | Electronics & Computers | Makro Online Site

www.makro.co.za

so warranty wise they will come and collect the machine in the event of an issue that can't be resolved remotely?

 

[Johnatan56]

Actual issues past the first 3 months start getting a lot rarer if you treat the laptop right.
Asus, Lenovo and Acer go through PartServe, so warranty is not great. There are also other brands that go through PartServe, can't remember all of them now, it's a terrible company.

Basically the only decent support in SA in regards to laptops is Dell, but then you pay quite a premium.

If I were you, I'd pick up an iPad and get a case with a keyboard and then hook up a BT mouse.
This is R6k for an 8th gen iPad with 32GB storage: https://www.istore.co.za/ipad-10-2-inch-8th-gen-wi-fi-32gb-space-grey , as long as your net is okay it should be fine for all school work. If net isn't that great and she has videos to download, rather get a larger storage one.

You can hook up any BT keyboard and mouse, don't necessarily need an "official" one. The battery should last quite a while and be good for e.g. load shedding.