Standard Office Laptop Needed

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weelzSA

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As the title reads, bother in-law has asked me to find a new laptop for their office (current one been going for 6 years and time to replace).

Is only used for outlook, office and web browsing.

Was thinking of getting this:

Lenovo Ideapad

Swapping the HDD for a SSD and maybe upgrading the ram to 8GB.

The laptop sits in office 99% of the time so not worried about size for travelling but more for performance etc. I have suggested a PC many times but they want to stick with a laptop for the odd times they need to take it out the office.

Any other recommendations maybe? Looking at spending between R8-R10k (including the upgrades).
 
weelzSA said:
As the title reads, bother in-law has asked me to find a new laptop for their office (current one been going for 6 years and time to replace).

Is only used for outlook, office and web browsing.

Was thinking of getting this:

Lenovo Ideapad

Swapping the HDD for a SSD and maybe upgrading the ram to 8GB.

The laptop sits in office 99% of the time so not worried about size for travelling but more for performance etc. I have suggested a PC many times but they want to stick with a laptop for the odd times they need to take it out the office.

Any other recommendations maybe? Looking at spending between R8-R10k (including the upgrades).
Click to expand...


Sounds like overkill, you could get one for half the price.
 
Rickster said:
Sounds like overkill, you could get one for half the price.
Click to expand...

Where can you get one at half price?

This laptop is meant to last a while (previous one lasted 6 years) so looking at something that will last as long too.
 
Anyone got any other options or should I just got for the one linked?

I looked at i3's in a way to save a little cash but they don't seem to be much cheaper unless I am missing something?
 
weelzSA said:
The one I linked to has the 8th gen cpu and FHD display at R300 more so seems the better deal.

I also saw this: IdeaPad 320 - it is through Evetech tho and I know they don't have best after sales (has 2 years warranty with Lenovo) but can upgrade ram to 8GB for R7899.
Click to expand...

I've had an Ideapad 320 at work and hated the trackpad and keyboard though.

Maybe try it before buying.
 
f2wohf said:
I've had an Ideapad 320 at work and hated the trackpad and keyboard though.

Maybe try it before buying.
Click to expand...

They will use a USB mouse.

What was the issue with keyboard?

I looked all night and can't find any better deal than that Lenovo. Upgraded ram to 8GB and add 250GB Samsung 850 Evo SSD total cost is R8898 and I am certain it will alst for a long time and more than enough for their daily day to day work emails and web browsing.

I looked at other i3's too but they all have terrible displays and 4GB ram and start around R6-7k.
 
weelzSA said:
What was the issue with keyboard?
.
Click to expand...

No real issue, I just didn't like the feeling and it was leading me to type slower with more mistakes. It might be just me though.
 
f2wohf said:
No real issue, I just didn't like the feeling and it was leading me to type slower with more mistakes. It might be just me though.
Click to expand...

Yeah I know what you mean.

If they have a problem can alsways add a wireless keyboard.

Really just looking for best specs at this price as this laptop needs to last a good 5 years plus.

They currently been using a dell with celeron processor and 2GB ram and thats been going for 6 years already so I know anything really will be a massive upgrade.

As mentioned looked at i3's but for the price compared to the Lenovo its a clear winner. Its WAY overkill for their needs but I am hoping it will last a very long time.
 
weelzSA said:
Also later if it starts to slow down then can add an SSD and maybe up the Ram.
Click to expand...
When it starts to slow down, just reformat it. With Windows 10 you must do it with almost every major system update.

As for the notebook, looks fine. Just wondering why they are using ULV CPU's in such large notebooks. It doesn't make any sense and is much slower to the standard mobile CPU. It comes with oversized power adapter (65W), not much problems if used stationary in the office.

Also I hate Fast Ethernet. For that price it should be a Gigabit. A WiFi is 3 times faster these days...
 
weelzSA said:
So after more thinking I decided that other laptop was way overkill.

Have found this:

https://www.takealot.com/dell-inspiron-3567-intel-core-i3-15-6-notebook-black/PLID44719567

I think this is the lowest to go before we start hitting celeron processors which I don’t want to go for.

Also later if it starts to slow down then can add an SSD and maybe up the Ram.
Click to expand...

If you were wiling to spend 8-10k to begin with then I would skip this one.

With that budget you can improve your experience greatly:

- Try get something with a 1080p display (although unlikely in this budget)
- SSD is a must!
- 8GB memory is minimum

I'll see what I can find.
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
If you were wiling to spend 8-10k to begin with then I would skip this one.

With that budget you can improve your experience greatly:

- Try get something with a 1080p display (although unlikely in this budget)
- SSD is a must!
- 8GB memory is minimum

I'll see what I can find.
Click to expand...

Thanks bud.

They have changed their budget to R6k now unfortunately. After chatting with him again I understand why, it’s literally used to check emails and scan invoices etc at the factory.

Been offered a second hand dell which still includes NBD warranty until June 2020 which I think I’m gonna go for.

Will try find the model quick.
 
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