Laptop suggestions for work purpose

[foldedknees]

Need suggestions for a decent work laptop. Though I say work, i don't mean a 2 grand workstations of course. I'm looking for something that HP envy esque, but with a decent performance and thinness. The only check box the envy doesn't tick is the screen. Is there any laptop that is decently thin (non gaming) and has a display with at least 120Hz? budget $1200~$1300 usd. 

what I mean when I say hp envy-esque:

processor: i7 (or ryzen 5 or higher)

ram: 16; ssd: 256+

graphics: anything would do as long as its dedicated (I don't play games but need to work on renders on blender, so suggestions on what would be better for that would also help!) 

webcam + sd card slot 

 
I work on photoshop and illustrator, so having a decent color accurate display is also necessary (FHD would be sufficient considering the budget) 

is this budget too low for what I'm seeking? or is there anything that has somewhat decent specs that I might need to look into?

I should also add i'm looking for a higher refresh rate screen for the sole purpose having a smooth scrolling machine, my phone ruined me.  

[Sorenson]

If you want the 120hz in a thin form factor with a decent color accurate display you're going to have to up your budget. I think you should honestly go with a MacBook Pro 13"/MacBook Air since it ticks every box except your 120hz display. 

 

You could go with something like the Dell XPS 13" but its more expensive for worse performance. 

 

If you're dead set on windows and 120hz scrolling the razer blade 13" will accomplish most of you want for like $1700. 

[foldedknees]

Thanks. I guess the budget drags it down. 

I don't have any experience on this thus asking, can I add a 120hz monitor with a setup like envy (i7 +1650) or macbook (m1) and get the benefit of the 120hz refresh rate ? 

[Sorenson]

2 minutes ago, foldedknees said:

Thanks. I guess the budget drags it down. 

I don't have any experience on this thus asking, can I add a 120hz monitor with a setup like envy (i7 +1650) or macbook (m1) and get the benefit of the 120hz refresh rate ? 

Absolutely, you can add a 120hz display on anything that display port 1.4 can support in most cases (1080p 120hz, 1440p 120hz). My Gf is a graphic designer and I got her setup with an M1 MBP and a 120hz/1440p display and it works great  

 

You can do the same for windows laptops, I would just personally stray away from anything with anything that is intel 14nm in a thin and light. 

[foldedknees]

5 minutes ago, Sorenson said:

Absolutely, you can add a 120hz display on anything that display port 1.4 can support in most cases (1080p 120hz, 1440p 120hz). My Gf is a graphic designer and I got her setup with an M1 MBP and a 120hz/1440p display and it works great  

 

You can do the same for windows laptops, I would just personally stray away from anything with anything that is intel 14nm in a thin and light. 

Gotcha, thanks for the info, i guess taking the route of adding an additional monitor makes more sense for me budget-wise since i was planning to add a monitor to the setup anyhow for the extra screen space.