IT Student Laptop Recommendations

[Huntsman421]

Hello all!

 

I am an Australian IT student focusing on networking. For the past year I have been using a secone hand Surface Pro 3 i5 config, as well as the provided HP workstations in class, but there has been a fair amount of thermal issues and it has started to slow down so I think it's time for a bit of an upgrade. In addition to the fact that we now need to work solely on our personal machines. I have a budget of $1000-$2000 AUD, and I need a laptop that can handle enterprise level virtualisation of Windows and Linux machines. I'd like something with a 13 inch form factor and a decent touch screen. My understanding is that a decent processor and RAM, as well as capable storage will be all I need. Gaming is not a primary concern, if it can play something along the likes of CS:GO smoothly, that's a bonus. One of the things I was considering was a Dell XPS 13, or an LG Gram. If anyone has any suggestions for laptops, or any feedback on enterprise virtualisaiton requirements/recommendations then that would be great. Thanks.

[DailyProcrastinator]

I highly recommend the new XPS13, I have last gens XPS13 and I love it, great touch screen, amazing battery life, great build quality, I have no complaints. Mine took me all the way through my full stack development school.

[zlolslavez]

If you want something that just works I'd go with the XPS 13, I'm not sure if the i7 16GB 4K model fits that price point however, considering in the US it's ~$1900 USD. I am uncomfortable recommending a lower specced model for that work load. How's the avalability of the Matebook X Pro in AUS? It also has a I7/16GB  RAM at ~1350$ USD with student discount.

 

EDIT: Either australia pays some massive import fees or the AUD was weaker than I thought, as both of those are pretty out of your price range. I'll see if I can find something better, but the last gen XPS13 looks pretty good on discount.

[Theguywhobea]

Get an XPS 13 with an 8th gen CPU, you won't be disappointed. 

[wasab]

Get xps 13 developer edition.  It is a great Ultrabook. 

[Huntsman421]

1 hour ago, zlolslavez said:

If you want something that just works I'd go with the XPS 13, I'm not sure if the i7 16GB 4K model fits that price point however, considering in the US it's ~$1900 USD. I am uncomfortable recommending a lower specced model for that work load. How's the avalability of the Matebook X Pro in AUS? It also has a I7/16GB  RAM at ~1350$ USD with student discount.

 

EDIT: Either australia pays some massive import fees or the AUD was weaker than I thought, as both of those are pretty out of your price range. I'll see if I can find something better, but the last gen XPS13 looks pretty good on discount.

A bit of both unfortunately. Australia pays massive import fees on tech and the AUD has been a bit weird lately. I can probably negotiate some student prices and my employer can give me some discounts when ordering directly from Dell. I just need to find one in a spec decently priced. i7 and 16GB RAM with 256GB is what I'd think would be a minimum config for my proposed workload

[Huntsman421]

So it definitely looks like the Dell XPS13 is the way to go. Now I just need to narrow down a good config. I believe i7, 16GB RAM, and at least 256GB storage will be sufficient, the more the better though.

[Huntsman421]

Will 8GB RAM be sufficient? Also if I use my Windows 7 Ultimate product key, will that give me access to Windows 10 Pro? If so then I can cut costs by getting a lower RAM config and a Windows 10 Home pre-installed system

[genexis_x]

Need 16GB RAM? Any preference on battery life? Mind low sRGB display? Is touchscreen a must?