A college laptop for like $ 1200

[Tarazz]

Hey guys,

I am from Belgium and will soon start at the college for Informatics. (Maybe Software Engineering). Besides that, I do not know exactly what to expect, but do know that I need a powerful laptop for using like over 3 years. I don't have a big knowledge of laptops, so that's why I am asking you for help.

The requirements that I kind of set are the following:

- Screen: 15.6"
- RAM: 8 - 16 GB
- The weight should not TOO be heavy. (I will carry it every day)
- OS: Windows (No, not a Macbook plz)
- 1 TB HDD with xxx SSD
- Processor: a i5 or a i7.


The budget may cost between 1000 - 1200 dollar/euro. I became desperate by not knowing what laptop I should take. They say ASUS, other say Hewlett Packerd and so on.

 

[NextGear]

Tarazz,

First, don't let all those new fancy exterior fool you or those fancy tech terms throw you off.
If you see a nice laptop, take a picture and later Wikipedia the laptop.. lol

sound silly, put Wikipedia will give a quick breakdown of the laptop's history, model, rivals, & review.

I went the refurbish route and pick a up 4th Gen Dell Latitude. I was lucky it had a i7, upgrade the storage & max out the memory & rebuild the OS.
I spend total $180 for everything.. was super lucky

look into the refurbish laptop too

 

[Tarazz]

Hey NextGear,

I was more thinking about the HP Pavilion 15 BC035ND, but I am someone that still in doubt feeling that there's an another good laptop. I never have used a HP laptop.

 

[NextGear]

Tarazz,

My personal preference for laptops are:
Price, Processor, Graphic, Size

Price = be realistic, stay within a budget.
Processor = research history of the processor.
Graphic = read up on the reviews.
Size = laptops are maybe to be mobile, try hauling 17 in. laptop around all day (not fun).

laptops has a very short life spams in terms of technology

Keep in mind your student.. you still need money for ramen noodles & westvleteren 12