Laptop for student

Ecco

Ecco

Honorary Master
Joined
Jun 4, 2007
Messages
11,520
Reaction score
8,300
Hi guys,

Any laptop recommendations for a student?

I havent bought a laptop in more then 2 decades, always got something from work.

For context, I am chipping in with a few guys to get our friends daughter something, as she going to be doing some software development course.

The family dont have much, and the daughter is the first kid to do some form of higher education.

I am thinking nothing less then a core i5....beyond that I am clueless.

I notice makro has some refurbished machines? But ideally something new with some sort of guarantee would be good.

Any help welcome?
 
Intel CPUs are already up to 14th Gen - so that is already at least a 6-year old laptop - you should look for at least a 12th Gen laptop to ensure compatibility for at least the next 5 years or so...

This ASUS Vivobook is on special at HiFi Corp for R 6,999 (with their '+more' loyalty club discount)...

1771520236879.png

www.hificorp.co.za

ASUS Vivobook X1504 Intel® Core™ i3-1215U 8GB RAM 512GB SSD Laptop

Windows 11 Home 15.6-inch full HD display 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage Intel® Core™ i3-1215U processor Intel® UHD graphics 720p HD camera with privacy shutter Chiclet keyboard 3 Year Warranty (Upon Registration)
www.hificorp.co.za www.hificorp.co.za
 
Carb is an option, but I prefer a store just so the kid can sort it out etc herself if there issues etc.
 
When I bought my Lenovo i5 12th Gen Slim 3 laptop from Incredible Connection in July 2024, it was available with either 8GB (R7,999) or 16GB (R9,999) - my budget was 8K, so I went for the 8GB model - it handles MS Office, Teams & general business & personal use OK for me - no issues coping with what I use it for.
 
Ecco said:
Hi guys,

Any laptop recommendations for a student?

I havent bought a laptop in more then 2 decades, always got something from work.

For context, I am chipping in with a few guys to get our friends daughter something, as she going to be doing some software development course.

The family dont have much, and the daughter is the first kid to do some form of higher education.

I am thinking nothing less then a core i5....beyond that I am clueless.

I notice makro has some refurbished machines? But ideally something new with some sort of guarantee would be good.

Any help welcome?
Click to expand...
Look at Refurbished enterprise laptops with around a 11th or 12th gen Intel processor.

You can pick them up for around R10k and you get a lot more laptop for your money compared to a consumer grade laptop (We literally call then Makro specials at work). The build quality is not going to fall apart after 1-2 years. it will likely last 4-5 years still.

Its the old argument of rather buy a second hand Corolla or Camry than a new Tata for the same price (I am also older than 2 decades)
1771527954194.png1771528108894.png
1771528419238.png

Lenovo Thinkpad T and X series are good
Dell Latitude 5000 and 7000 series are good
HP Elitebook 600 and 800 series are good.

Then just make sure to get at least 16GB of RAM, because its going to be expensive to upgrade it for a long time.
Grab 32GB RAM if you can for software development.

Also don't underestimate a 2nd hand M1 or M2 Macbook air or pro. Just be sure to get a 16GB RAM one for software development.
macshack.co.za

2020 MacBook Pro M1 13″ – 16GB 512GB Space Gray | Pre-Owned

Custom 2020 MacBook Pro 13″ with M1 chip, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD & Touch Bar in Space Gray. Pre-owned, tested & backed by a 3-month Mac Shack warranty.
macshack.co.za macshack.co.za
But be aware the Apple taxes transfers to the 2nd hand market and you might not want to inflict the Apple ecosystem subscriptions on a student.
 
Ecco said:
Any thoughts on this:

www.makro.co.za

Packard Bell Intel Core i5 8th Gen - (16 GB/512 GB SSD/Windows 11 Home) Senna i5 Laptop | Makro

Shop Packard Bell Intel Core i5 8th Gen - (16 GB/512 GB SSD/Windows 11 Home) Senna i5 Laptop at Makro. Enjoy secure shopping with 100% reliable delivery, great prices and many ways to pay.
www.makro.co.za www.makro.co.za
Click to expand...
Packard Bell does not make laptops anymore, so that is likely a rebranded Chinese laptop like a Chuwi or Blackview

They tend to "re-manufacture" (salvage) obsolete generations of hardware into "new" chassis and sell them as new laptops. Its very cheap, but its very cheap for a reason.
 
I also quite like this AMD refurbish options, but try and find one that has at least a 1080p screen. 768p is just terrible

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com

Ryzen 3000 and 4000 series are as good, as their Intel equivalents, but cheaper.

Also more powerful for software development as they often give you 6 cores instead of just 4 from Intel at the same price.

EDIT: Found one:

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com
with a bag and mouse as well.
 
HAL 9000 said:
Most new laptops now have soldered RAM modules & cannot be upgraded from 8GB to 16GB (or more) - you have to buy it with either the 8GB or 16GB option at time of purchase...
Click to expand...
Exactly, you need to buy the RAM today that you will need in 3-5 years time.
 
HAL 9000 said:
Intel CPUs are already up to 14th Gen - so that is already at least a 6-year old laptop - you should look for at least a 12th Gen laptop to ensure compatibility for at least the next 5 years or so...

This ASUS Vivobook is on special at HiFi Corp for R 6,999 (with their '+more' loyalty club discount)...

View attachment 1887265

www.hificorp.co.za

ASUS Vivobook X1504 Intel® Core™ i3-1215U 8GB RAM 512GB SSD Laptop

Windows 11 Home 15.6-inch full HD display 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage Intel® Core™ i3-1215U processor Intel® UHD graphics 720p HD camera with privacy shutter Chiclet keyboard 3 Year Warranty (Upon Registration)
www.hificorp.co.za www.hificorp.co.za
Click to expand...
Its actually worse. They went 14th gen, then started again with 100, then 200 and now 300 series being the new one.
 
HAL 9000 said:
Intel CPUs are already up to 14th Gen - so that is already at least a 6-year old laptop - you should look for at least a 12th Gen laptop to ensure compatibility for at least the next 5 years or so...

This ASUS Vivobook is on special at HiFi Corp for R 6,999 (with their '+more' loyalty club discount)...

View attachment 1887265

www.hificorp.co.za

ASUS Vivobook X1504 Intel® Core™ i3-1215U 8GB RAM 512GB SSD Laptop

Windows 11 Home 15.6-inch full HD display 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage Intel® Core™ i3-1215U processor Intel® UHD graphics 720p HD camera with privacy shutter Chiclet keyboard 3 Year Warranty (Upon Registration)
www.hificorp.co.za www.hificorp.co.za
Click to expand...
Almost 9 years old already, the 8th gen was 2017, 14th gen was 2 to 3 years ago already.
The new naming scheme is Core Ultra Series they've just started on the 3 series so you'll see Core Ultra 5 3(some number)
 
HAL 9000 said:
Intel CPUs are already up to 14th Gen - so that is already at least a 6-year old laptop - you should look for at least a 12th Gen laptop to ensure compatibility for at least the next 5 years or so...

This ASUS Vivobook is on special at HiFi Corp for R 6,999 (with their '+more' loyalty club discount)...

View attachment 1887265

www.hificorp.co.za

ASUS Vivobook X1504 Intel® Core™ i3-1215U 8GB RAM 512GB SSD Laptop

Windows 11 Home 15.6-inch full HD display 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage Intel® Core™ i3-1215U processor Intel® UHD graphics 720p HD camera with privacy shutter Chiclet keyboard 3 Year Warranty (Upon Registration)
www.hificorp.co.za www.hificorp.co.za
Click to expand...

I think i am going to pull the trigger on this one.

Price is good, and the 3 year guarantee means the kid can sort out themselves without me getting involved.

Anybody know any other deals before I go ahead?
 
RedViking said:
Yes, look on Carbonite.
Click to expand...
If it was for me i would. But the kid is in another province.

To arrange the buy, plus collect and get it to the kid will be a mission. More importantly if there are any issues, the kid can sort out themselves without me by returning it or taking it for repair etc.
 
Ecco said:
If it was for me i would. But the kid is in another province.

To arrange the buy, plus collect and get it to the kid will be a mission. More importantly if there are any issues, the kid can sort out themselves without me by returning it or taking it for repair etc.
Click to expand...
Not with Takealot if I understand correctly if that is what you want to get. Or do they have their own Takealot account. You will still need to organise everything and work with a middle man. (See it is hi-fi , probably same applies)

If you buy from a reputable seller they can send it directly to the kid. If it is Lenovo or Dell warranty they just use their serial number on the Support website to log a repair and if it is onsite they will even do it at the kids premises.

Anyways, I would consider it as an option. But in the end you have to get what you think is best for the kid and feel comfortable with.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X