My GF is returning to in-person classes at the undergraduate level in two weeks and wants a laptop, presumably to take notes during class, do Zoom meetings for classes and do any on-line assignments. She also used Zoom for class meetings and the on the school's on-line system (CANVAS) to do homework, watch lessons, and take exams. She's not a gamer and the most power she needs is enough speed to watch YouTube videos and read international news. That said, she wants something "fast." Her prior laptop, which was a drama queen (e.g. intermittent keyboard freeze-ups) was a 2017 ASUS Q304u, 8GB RAM (would not accept RAM upgrades) with an Intel Core i5 7200 OU at 2.5 GHZ. When it worked, it was "fast" enough for her. Touchscreen is a must, 2-1 Tablet not at all (she just figured out that the ASUS in question was a 2-1 Tablet, which I thought was part of the reason she wanted it). She wants a "nice screen," but she didn't seem to have any problems with the ASUS 1920 x1080 at 60 Hz monitor that has Intel HD Graphics 620.
She does not like Apple.
She found these laptops in her price range (implied around $800-$900):
HP Envy x360 2-in-1 w/ Ryzen 5 5625u
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-env...b-ssd-nightfall-black/6502184.p?skuId=6502184
HP Envy x360 2-in-1 w/ Core i7
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-env...gb-ssd-natural-silver/6502179.p?skuId=6502179
Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 Core i5-1235u
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo...-512gb-ssd-storm-grey/6502228.p?skuId=6502228
Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Core i7 1255u
https://www.costco.com/lenovo-ideap...u---1080p---windows-11.product.100975528.html
A Best Buy Geek Squad tech said that the HPs break down within a year, but the Lenovos are reliable.
Questions:
She's gentle with laptops; are extended warranties a waste of money?
Which are the most and least reliable laptops: HP Envy; Lenovo IdeaPad; Lenovo Yoga?
As long as it's not Apple or ASUS, she's open to the brands. She went around Best Buy and picked the HP Envy with the Intel Chip and the Lenovo Yoga. I found the IdeaPad at Costo, because it looked like it had better features and the price was lower (not that Best Buy's price changed overnight on an unrelated item I was following, so you might see a different price).
HP has some AMD Ryzen 5 CPUs in her price range. I've always been skittish about AMDs (but I don't know a lot); what are your thoughts about AMD Ryzens in HPs, e.g. this:
She does not like Apple.
She found these laptops in her price range (implied around $800-$900):
HP Envy x360 2-in-1 w/ Ryzen 5 5625u
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-env...b-ssd-nightfall-black/6502184.p?skuId=6502184
HP Envy x360 2-in-1 w/ Core i7
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-env...gb-ssd-natural-silver/6502179.p?skuId=6502179
Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 Core i5-1235u
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo...-512gb-ssd-storm-grey/6502228.p?skuId=6502228
Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Core i7 1255u
https://www.costco.com/lenovo-ideap...u---1080p---windows-11.product.100975528.html
A Best Buy Geek Squad tech said that the HPs break down within a year, but the Lenovos are reliable.
Questions:
She's gentle with laptops; are extended warranties a waste of money?
Which are the most and least reliable laptops: HP Envy; Lenovo IdeaPad; Lenovo Yoga?
As long as it's not Apple or ASUS, she's open to the brands. She went around Best Buy and picked the HP Envy with the Intel Chip and the Lenovo Yoga. I found the IdeaPad at Costo, because it looked like it had better features and the price was lower (not that Best Buy's price changed overnight on an unrelated item I was following, so you might see a different price).
HP has some AMD Ryzen 5 CPUs in her price range. I've always been skittish about AMDs (but I don't know a lot); what are your thoughts about AMD Ryzens in HPs, e.g. this:
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