Ultrabook for college

[Code-E]

Hi there, I'm searching for an ultrabook for around $600-800 USD. Under 3lbs and 13.3" screen. I'm just looking for something fairly powerful, reliable and very portable.

I've been doing some research and it seems all the ultra-portables that reviewers highly recommend are over $1000, which I just can't justify spending. 

 

Mostly I would be using it for web browsing and such, but I might occasionally do some video editing as well.

 

I'm also hoping this laptop will last me all through college. I've had terrible luck with low to mid-range laptops over the years...they just keep dieing on me.

 

Thanks for any suggestions

[dizmo]

Haha, you contradict yourself quite a bit there. If you have a lot of issues with lower end systems, maybe it's time you bought one that's around $1,000. Especially if you plan to use it for 2 to 4 years, and for school work. It's investing in yourself; you should easily be able to justify that added few hundred dollars.

 

Take a look at NOS Lenovo units like the T460s.

[Jurrunio]

I'm not sure if laptops that cheap when new qualify as ultrabooks. You're best bet is to look for older ones.

[Code-E]

3 minutes ago, dizmo said:

Haha, you contradict yourself quite a bit there. If you have a lot of issues with lower end systems, maybe it's time you bought one that's around $1,000. Especially if you plan to use it for 2 to 4 years, and for school work. It's investing in yourself; you should easily be able to justify that added few hundred dollars.

 

Take a look at NOS Lenovo units like the T460s.

It totally is a contradiction lol

But I have yet to spend over $600 for a laptop, mostly because I haven't wanted so much money to just die on me.

I suppose it might be time to invest though...if you have suggestions for $900 or $1000 I'll look at budgeting around that.

However there are some systems that just seem insane to me, like the Razer Blade Stealth for $1500...that's crazy

 

[IAnthonyFX]

3 minutes ago, Code-E said:

It totally is a contradiction lol

But I have yet to spend over $600 for a laptop, mostly because I haven't wanted so much money to just die on me.

I suppose it might be time to invest though...if you have suggestions for $900 or $1000 I'll look at budgeting around that.

However there are some systems that just seem insane to me, like the Razer Blade Stealth for $1500...that's crazy

 

A 2015 used MacBook air? Could you not borrow a laptop from the library in the meantime?

[dizmo]

1 minute ago, Code-E said:

It totally is a contradiction lol

But I have yet to spend over $600 for a laptop, mostly because I haven't wanted so much money to just die on me.

I suppose it might be time to invest though...if you have suggestions for $900 or $1000 I'll look at budgeting around that.

However there are some systems that just seem insane to me, like the Razer Blade Stealth for $1500...that's crazy

You'd be insane to spend that kind of money on a Razer product and expect it not to break

Really, though, anything you spend money on should have a warranty. Spending more nets you better products, especially for something in the mobile space. Think about it; if you're paying less, and it has similar spec, they had to take shortcuts somewhere to get to that lower price point. First places are cooling, PSU, etc. Things people won't really think about, but can fail catastrophically later on.

 

Honestly I'd look at the T460s. They're maybe $600 for a new/mint used one. Killer battery life, expandable, etc.

The new 12.5" X series I think has a lot of the same features, if not, the X250/260 does.

[Code-E]

3 minutes ago, dizmo said:

You'd be insane to spend that kind of money on a Razer product and expect it not to break

Really, though, anything you spend money on should have a warranty. Spending more nets you better products, especially for something in the mobile space. Think about it; if you're paying less, and it has similar spec, they had to take shortcuts somewhere to get to that lower price point. First places are cooling, PSU, etc. Things people won't really think about, but can fail catastrophically later on.

 

Honestly I'd look at the T460s. They're maybe $600 for a new/mint used one. Killer battery life, expandable, etc.

The new 12.5" X series I think has a lot of the same features, if not, the X250/260 does.

You mention PSU, I'm pretty sure I've lost a couple laptops to PSU problems lol

I'll take a look at the Lenovos. I hadn't seen anyone talk about those, thanks for the suggestion

[genexis_x]

Where are you from? Can take a look at Lenovo Yoga 720/730 13, Lenovo Ideapad 720s 13 (Intel), Asus UX330UA

[MandoPanda]

You could look into the Zenbook line. There is something like this that is used for around 650 USD and 900 USD new