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Is This a Reasonable Business Laptop?

bellabichon
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Hey forum,

 

My dad needs a new laptop for work. His budget is 1000-1200 CAD. We've seen a few options, and we found one that looks pretty good. The main objectives here are for it to be light, reasonably powerful for professional audio editing, have good battery life (6-8 hours would be ideal) and to last for at least the next few years. My dad has been looking at a Dell 14" Touchscreen Laptop, and I would like to know your guys' opinions on it. Here's a quick spec sheet.

 

Dell 14" Touchscreen Laptop - $899.99

- 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8265U (4c 8t, 1.6GHz base)

- 8 GB of RAM

- Intel UHD Graphics 620

- 256 GB SSD (not sure if PCi-e or SATA)

- 14" 1080p IPS screen

- 42WH battery

- 3.75 lb

 

My main concerns about this laptop are battery and weight. Are these concerns valid, or am I just making a mountain out of a molehill?

 

Thanks in advance!

Main PC:

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X • Noctua NH-D15 • MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk • 2x8GB G.skill Trident Z Neo 3600MHz CL16 • MSI VENTUS 3X GeForce RTX 3070 OC • Samsung 970 Evo 1TB • Samsung 860 Evo 1TB • Cosair iCUE 465X RGB • Corsair RMx 750W (White)

 

Peripherals/Other:

ASUS VG27AQ • G PRO K/DA • G502 Hero K/DA • G733 K/DA • G840 K/DA • Oculus Quest 2 • Nintendo Switch (Rev. 2)

 

Laptop (Dell XPS 13):

Intel Core i7-1195G7 • Intel Iris Xe Graphics • 16GB LPDDR4x 4267MHz • 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD • 13.4" OLED 3.5K InfinityEdge Display (3456x2160, 400nit, touch). 

 

Got any questions about my system or peripherals? Feel free to tag me (@bellabichon) and I'll be happy to give you my two cents. 

 

PSA: Posting a PCPartPicker list with no explanation isn't helpful for first-time builders :)

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2 minutes ago, KarathKasun said:

Can get better specced unit for ~$700.

Do you know where I can get one? Dell's website is like using Netscape Navigator.

2 minutes ago, KarathKasun said:

If weight is a concern, drop the touchscreen.

Touchscreen was never a necessary feature, just happens to be included. 

Main PC:

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X • Noctua NH-D15 • MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk • 2x8GB G.skill Trident Z Neo 3600MHz CL16 • MSI VENTUS 3X GeForce RTX 3070 OC • Samsung 970 Evo 1TB • Samsung 860 Evo 1TB • Cosair iCUE 465X RGB • Corsair RMx 750W (White)

 

Peripherals/Other:

ASUS VG27AQ • G PRO K/DA • G502 Hero K/DA • G733 K/DA • G840 K/DA • Oculus Quest 2 • Nintendo Switch (Rev. 2)

 

Laptop (Dell XPS 13):

Intel Core i7-1195G7 • Intel Iris Xe Graphics • 16GB LPDDR4x 4267MHz • 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD • 13.4" OLED 3.5K InfinityEdge Display (3456x2160, 400nit, touch). 

 

Got any questions about my system or peripherals? Feel free to tag me (@bellabichon) and I'll be happy to give you my two cents. 

 

PSA: Posting a PCPartPicker list with no explanation isn't helpful for first-time builders :)

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1 minute ago, bellabichon said:

Do you know where I can get one? Dell's website is like using Netscape Navigator.

Touchscreen was never a necessary feature, just happens to be included. 

Are the prices CAD or USD?

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2 minutes ago, KarathKasun said:

Are the prices CAD or USD?

On Dell's website, or on Best Buy? Price is CAD on Best Buy, and Dell's website has a Canadian option. The budget is 1000-1200 CAD. 

Main PC:

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X • Noctua NH-D15 • MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk • 2x8GB G.skill Trident Z Neo 3600MHz CL16 • MSI VENTUS 3X GeForce RTX 3070 OC • Samsung 970 Evo 1TB • Samsung 860 Evo 1TB • Cosair iCUE 465X RGB • Corsair RMx 750W (White)

 

Peripherals/Other:

ASUS VG27AQ • G PRO K/DA • G502 Hero K/DA • G733 K/DA • G840 K/DA • Oculus Quest 2 • Nintendo Switch (Rev. 2)

 

Laptop (Dell XPS 13):

Intel Core i7-1195G7 • Intel Iris Xe Graphics • 16GB LPDDR4x 4267MHz • 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD • 13.4" OLED 3.5K InfinityEdge Display (3456x2160, 400nit, touch). 

 

Got any questions about my system or peripherals? Feel free to tag me (@bellabichon) and I'll be happy to give you my two cents. 

 

PSA: Posting a PCPartPicker list with no explanation isn't helpful for first-time builders :)

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Just now, bellabichon said:

On Dell's website, or on Best Buy? Price is CAD on Best Buy, and Dell's website has a Canadian option. The budget is 1000-1200 CAD. 

Ahh, yeah, $899 CAD is about right then, nevermind.

 

Similar laptops are $700 USD.

 

Check out Ryzen APU units, like this one...

HP Pavilion Laptop - 15z

It weighs a bit more, but may be cheaper in CAD even.

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5 minutes ago, KarathKasun said:

Ahh, yeah, $899 CAD is about right then, nevermind.

 

Similar laptops are $700 USD.

 

Check out Ryzen APU units, like this one...

HP Pavilion Laptop - 15z

It weighs a bit more, but may be cheaper in CAD even.

I've taken a look at some Ryzen units, and they're definately worth considering. I'm not one to trust HP, but if the specs are good, I don't foresee any problems. 

 

2 minutes ago, KarathKasun said:

https://store.hp.com/CanadaStore/Merch/Product.aspx?id=4RB30UA&opt=ABL&sel=NTB

 

What a shame, cant configure the system in Canaderp.

Lol. Our ruble isn't worth what it used to be worth. I'll keep looking. Thanks for the help.

Main PC:

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X • Noctua NH-D15 • MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk • 2x8GB G.skill Trident Z Neo 3600MHz CL16 • MSI VENTUS 3X GeForce RTX 3070 OC • Samsung 970 Evo 1TB • Samsung 860 Evo 1TB • Cosair iCUE 465X RGB • Corsair RMx 750W (White)

 

Peripherals/Other:

ASUS VG27AQ • G PRO K/DA • G502 Hero K/DA • G733 K/DA • G840 K/DA • Oculus Quest 2 • Nintendo Switch (Rev. 2)

 

Laptop (Dell XPS 13):

Intel Core i7-1195G7 • Intel Iris Xe Graphics • 16GB LPDDR4x 4267MHz • 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD • 13.4" OLED 3.5K InfinityEdge Display (3456x2160, 400nit, touch). 

 

Got any questions about my system or peripherals? Feel free to tag me (@bellabichon) and I'll be happy to give you my two cents. 

 

PSA: Posting a PCPartPicker list with no explanation isn't helpful for first-time builders :)

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1 minute ago, bellabichon said:

I've taken a look at some Ryzen units, and they're definately worth considering. I'm not one to trust HP, but if the specs are good, I don't foresee any problems. 

 

Lol. Our ruble isn't worth what it used to be worth. I'll keep looking. Thanks for the help.

What gets me is that the Canada sites Im looking at do not allow you to tweak your system config.

Cant add ram, add better CPU, upgrade screen, etc.

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4 minutes ago, KarathKasun said:

What gets me is that the Canada sites Im looking at do not allow you to tweak your system config.

Cant add ram, add better CPU, upgrade screen, etc.

Tell me about it. The only thing we have over the US is our politics are less wack. I've honestly considered moving there just for cheaper Amazon shipping. 

Main PC:

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X • Noctua NH-D15 • MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk • 2x8GB G.skill Trident Z Neo 3600MHz CL16 • MSI VENTUS 3X GeForce RTX 3070 OC • Samsung 970 Evo 1TB • Samsung 860 Evo 1TB • Cosair iCUE 465X RGB • Corsair RMx 750W (White)

 

Peripherals/Other:

ASUS VG27AQ • G PRO K/DA • G502 Hero K/DA • G733 K/DA • G840 K/DA • Oculus Quest 2 • Nintendo Switch (Rev. 2)

 

Laptop (Dell XPS 13):

Intel Core i7-1195G7 • Intel Iris Xe Graphics • 16GB LPDDR4x 4267MHz • 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD • 13.4" OLED 3.5K InfinityEdge Display (3456x2160, 400nit, touch). 

 

Got any questions about my system or peripherals? Feel free to tag me (@bellabichon) and I'll be happy to give you my two cents. 

 

PSA: Posting a PCPartPicker list with no explanation isn't helpful for first-time builders :)

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2 minutes ago, bellabichon said:

Tell me about it. The only thing we have over the US is our politics are less wack. I've honestly considered moving there just for cheaper Amazon shipping. 

Not with Trudeau... It must feel awful to have an elected leader get the spot because of his suave hair.

 

Ive actually heard this as a reason people voted for him, from the people that voted for him. ?

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7 minutes ago, KarathKasun said:

Not with Trudeau... It must feel awful to have an elected leader get the spot because of his suave hair.

 

Ive actually heard this as a reason people voted for him, from the people that voted for him. ?

I don't wanna derail into politics, but his namesake is the only reason he got elected. Trudeau carries an amazing amount of weight for those on the left, and the right. 

Main PC:

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X • Noctua NH-D15 • MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk • 2x8GB G.skill Trident Z Neo 3600MHz CL16 • MSI VENTUS 3X GeForce RTX 3070 OC • Samsung 970 Evo 1TB • Samsung 860 Evo 1TB • Cosair iCUE 465X RGB • Corsair RMx 750W (White)

 

Peripherals/Other:

ASUS VG27AQ • G PRO K/DA • G502 Hero K/DA • G733 K/DA • G840 K/DA • Oculus Quest 2 • Nintendo Switch (Rev. 2)

 

Laptop (Dell XPS 13):

Intel Core i7-1195G7 • Intel Iris Xe Graphics • 16GB LPDDR4x 4267MHz • 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD • 13.4" OLED 3.5K InfinityEdge Display (3456x2160, 400nit, touch). 

 

Got any questions about my system or peripherals? Feel free to tag me (@bellabichon) and I'll be happy to give you my two cents. 

 

PSA: Posting a PCPartPicker list with no explanation isn't helpful for first-time builders :)

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Just now, bellabichon said:

I don't wanna derail into politics, but his namesake is the only reason he got elected. Trudeau carries an amazing amount of weight for those on the left, and the right. 

Indeed, his father was like a god among politicians in Canada from what I know.

 

Good luck on your search for a reasonably priced laptop.  The Dell looks like an ok deal for your local economy, but with enough sifting Im sure there is a better deal or model on sale somewhere to be found.

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2 minutes ago, KarathKasun said:

Good luck on your search for a reasonably priced laptop.  The Dell looks like an ok deal for your local economy, but with enough sifting Im sure there is a better deal or model on sale somewhere to be found.

I'm sure there is. I thought finding a new laptop would be relatively easy, but alas, as with all things tech, it's gonna be much harder than I thought. Thanks for your help.

Main PC:

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X • Noctua NH-D15 • MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk • 2x8GB G.skill Trident Z Neo 3600MHz CL16 • MSI VENTUS 3X GeForce RTX 3070 OC • Samsung 970 Evo 1TB • Samsung 860 Evo 1TB • Cosair iCUE 465X RGB • Corsair RMx 750W (White)

 

Peripherals/Other:

ASUS VG27AQ • G PRO K/DA • G502 Hero K/DA • G733 K/DA • G840 K/DA • Oculus Quest 2 • Nintendo Switch (Rev. 2)

 

Laptop (Dell XPS 13):

Intel Core i7-1195G7 • Intel Iris Xe Graphics • 16GB LPDDR4x 4267MHz • 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD • 13.4" OLED 3.5K InfinityEdge Display (3456x2160, 400nit, touch). 

 

Got any questions about my system or peripherals? Feel free to tag me (@bellabichon) and I'll be happy to give you my two cents. 

 

PSA: Posting a PCPartPicker list with no explanation isn't helpful for first-time builders :)

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