Ultrabook for school

[DownD]

Hi, i will go to university(Software engenering) in the next month, and i want to buy an ultrabook/laptop.

I have 1000€ to spent (but can go up to 1200€ if really necessary).

I want the laptop as light and portable as possible to carry it arround in my backpack, with at least an i5 7th gen, for the graphics card, i dont need anything too powerfull it might be handy a dedicated one but i think is not a must have.

I was thinking of a 2-1 laptop to use it as a laptop in the class to take notes, but i dont want the surface book just because the screen don't hold like a normal notebook. And i like to have it sit on my legs.

For the size, i think a 14 inch would be the right size.

 

Tell me what would you buy for school with 1000€-1200€.

Thanks in advance.

[SquaredKyle]

Hey DownD!

I don't consider myself an expert on what portable laptop/ultrabook/2-in-1 would work best for you, but I went through this dilemma last year as a major in Mechanical Engineering.

 

My Experience:

The option I chose was to build a desktop computer, while using a Chromebook for portability and note taking. This allowed me to have a powerful computer for gaming and 3d modeling while having the portable Chromebook for in class use. I would NOT recommend this path, however. The lack of portability from my desktop hindered my ability to work well in group projects. It also limited where I could work on certain projects. The difference between operating systems (Windows 10.1 64 bit vs Chrome OS) also hurt productivity in essay's and projects I would start on my Chromebook and finish on my desktop (or vice versa). My biggest issue was that I fell into the hole of gaming during the week, which hurt my grades.

 

At my university, computer labs with specified engineering computers were supplied, making performance a nonissue (NOTE: Retrieving data was extremely slow as the computers had to go through an overloaded system server). If your university offers this, I would suggest letting features take priority over performance. 

 

I saw several classmates who chose different routes than I did and achieve great success. The one I remember most was the Surface Pro. My classmate who used it always looked extremely comfortable using it, as it can be applied in various ways. It also looked very efficient when creating CADs (Computer Assisted Designs) as the pen, touch screen, and keyboard/track pad allowed optimal and versatile movement inside the programs.  

 

My Suggestion:

Option A: A 2-in-1 Laptop/tablet combo with USB type C, Dedicated charging, and storage expandability (Via SD card or Cloud Storage).

           This option allows portability, some power, and the ability to attach useful dongles for extra devices. Alongside this, Storage usage always varies between consumer. I would suggest at least 256 gb of storage already on the device

 

Option B: Desktop with a cheap laptop.

           This option has a plethora of benefits even if it wasn't optimal in my experience. The Desktop will allow powerful performance in a familiar format. It can allow you to form habits to complete schoolwork, and will give you the most room to be creative. Combine this with a cheap laptop (preferably running Windows 10) and you will have all the tools you need to succeed. NOTE: I personally have switched to a tablet (Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 with Bluetooth keyboard) to accompany my desktop, but I'm not sure how useful it will be. Building a desktop will also give you experience with computer parts, and create/add to a powerful foundation for a software engineering student. The downside to this option is the need to transfer data between devices, alongside the lack of portability from the desktop.

 

Option C: Gaming Laptop (USB type C, Ram and storage expandability)

           This option is a standard laptop powerful enough to fulfill all of your schoolwork without having any major downsides. If this were an RPG, this would be the standard starting class most students would choose. Even if you just use it for schoolwork, netflix, and chill, these powerful computers will fit the major needs (but not always the wants) of any college student. The only issue with this option would be finding a laptop that fits your needs. Oh, and it has RGB!!!!!!!!!

 

Option D: Standard Laptop (lightweight, cheaper, but less performance)

           This option is optimal for when performance isn't necessarily needed (if there is an Engineering Computer Lab at your University). It will allow standard usage across the spectrum of a standard college student's needs, while being efficient in portability and cost. A cheaper option than option C, that would be optimal if ultra high performance isn't necessary.

 

I hope this helps bro! I will come back to this thread with at least 1 example per option based on a budget of $1200 USD and Amazon Prime in the United States. Remember, don't choose your device based off of what some random people say; choose what you want. 

 

TL;DR: Different options for different preferences. 

 

Note: after looking at laptops, option D is irrelevant in this price range.

 

EDIT: Examples of potential devices

Option A:

 

Surface pro - Core i5 / 256gb ssd / 8gb ram 

Link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/d/product/8NKT9WTTRBJK/

Price: $1169.10 with Student Discount (i7 / 256gb ssd / 8gb ram Price: 1439.10 with student discount)

 

Lenovo Yoga 910 - i7-7500U (or i7-7200U) / 256gb PCIe SSD / Intel HD Graphics620 / 8gb DDR4 RAM / 4K display - 1 year warranty 

link: http://www3.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/yoga/yoga-900-series/c/yoga-900-series?q=%3Aprice-asc%3AfacetSys-Memory%3A8GB&uq=&text=#

Price: 7500U: $1199.99 "after instant savings" (not sure what that means); 

          7200U: $1049.99 "after instant savings"

 

HP Spectre x360 (as suggested by DownD) - i7 7th gen / 8gb memory RAM / 256 GB SSD / GTX 940MX / 4K UHD display

Link: http://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/hp-spectre-x360-convertible-laptop---15t-touch-x6w04av-1

Price: $1179.99

Note: There is room to personalize with a plethora of different configurations

 

NOTE: I would personally go with the Spectre due to the power, performance, and multiple type C ports for charging and dongles, with the Yoga at a close second (cooler looking hinge bro)

Option B: It is hard to find examples for this option, thus, my personal suggestion is below.

I would divide the budget between $1000 for Desktop and $200 for laptop/other media device. Pcpartpicker.com is a great tool to keep track of cost and compatibility alongside reddit.com/r/buildapc. I would suggest an i5 7600k or 7500, Z270 motherboard (for 7600k) or a cheap non-overclocking motherboard for the 7500. gtx 1060 graphics card will work great for games and CAD programs. ALWAYS have a trusted brand for your power supply, and 8gb of ram should be fine. Check and see if your university offers free OS; this can help lighten the budget. Make sure you have a monitor (don't use a tv unless you can change the brightness) and keyboard/mouse to start. For the cheap laptop, there are tons of laptops that can do the trick, just check amazon/newegg/whatever with the remaining budget in the built in pricing tool.

 

Option C:

Super easy to find these in the price and size range specified

 

Gigabyte Sabre: i7 7700HQ / GTX 1050(ti) / 16 BG Memory (RAM) / 256 GB M.2 SSD / 1 TB HDD / RGB BACKLIT KEYBOARD 

Link: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16834233203

Price: $1179.00/939.00

 

Dell Inspiron 15: i7 7700HQ / GTX 1050 / 16 GB Memory (RAM) / 512 GB PCIe SSD

Link: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834861168

Price: 929.99

Note: No USB C, but has Lan Ethernet. Only looks a little Gamery

 

Asus ZenBook Pro: i7 6700HQ / GTX 960M / 16 GB Memory (RAM) / 512 GB SSD / 4K UHD Display

Link: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834232930

Price: $1199.00

Note: Last gen processor (only 0.2 GHz drop). Would suggest comparing Graphics with 1050/1050ti; I would personally suggest this one due to good IO, sleek design, and good display.

 

MSI GL62M 7REX-1067 aka the Rex: i7 7700HQ / GTX 1050ti / 16 GB Memory (RAM) / 512 GB M.2 SATA SSD

Link: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834154623
Price: 1099.00

Note: Super Gamer look; Backlit only in red; Only option bragging Specialized cooling: "Cooler Boost 4 ultra-cooling with 6 heat pipes"

 

Note: I would personally suggest The Asus ZenBook due to good IO, sleek design, and excellent display.

 

Option D

 

LG gram: i7 7th gen / 8gb RAM / 512 GB SSD / Touchscreen LCD Display

Price: 1299.99 (I'm getting burnt out, DownD already replied, gotta finish though)

Link: http://www.lg.com/us/laptops/lg-14Z970-AAAS7U1-ultra-slim-laptop

Note: There are other config's that will fit the price point; Linus has a video on this

 

HP Envy x360 2-in-1: i7 7500U / 16gb DDR4 / 256 GB SSD / 1TB HDD / HD Graphics 620

Price: 1099.00

Link: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAA0S5529287

Notes: This is actually just the Spectre with HD graphics and more storage

 

TL;DR: go with (option a) HP Spectre x360 , (option c) Asus ZenBook Pro , or (option d) LG gram.

 

 

 

 

[DownD]

What an answer!! Thank you.

I already own a gaming desktop, but i don't want to take it from my home. I will go with option A, but the Lenovo is out of the equation, on my country (Portugal) the only model i could find was the i7 wich costs 1500€. I will re-think mi ideia about the surface Pro.

And what you think abou the HP spectre 360?

[SquaredKyle]

15 minutes ago, DownD said:

What an answer!! Thank you.

I already own a gaming desktop, but i don't want to take it from my home. I will go with option A, but the Lenovo is out of the equation, on my country (Portugal) the only model i could find was the i7 wich costs 1500€. I will re-think mi ideia about the surface Pro.

And what you think abou the HP spectre 360?

After a quick search, I actually enjoy it! Good IO, portable, and powerful enough for most programs needed! I agree that Option A would be of most value especially since you already have a desktop! Best of luck at school man!

 

EDIT: Make sure to check reviews, and see if any tech youtube channels have a review on it. You don't want to run into any hidden problems!