Student laptops

[Penfold]

I want a laptop for kids going to Uni. Not a chromebook but a laptop

Do I really need to go for anything more than this sort of thing?

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/lenovo-ideapad-3i-14-laptop-intel-core-i3-128-gb-ssd-blue-10208470-pdt.html

or
https://www.johnlewis.com/dell-inspiron-15-3501-laptop-intel-i3-core-processor-4gb-ram-128gb-ssd-15-6-inch-full-hd-black/p5693892


Ideas welcomed please. It's not for gaming so doesn't need to be top notch but rnough for standard office Apps.

Thanks.

[SithAfrikaan]

In my personal experience those 128gb SSD's get choked by all manner of windows and bloatware related stuff, to the point that it becomes a pain to even pre-download certain larger windows feature updates. If the kids are VERY VERY comfortable exclusively using the cloud to store data and not to keep a local copy etc they could get by, but I think that 128 is just to low considering a relatively small jump in price can get you 256 or even 512

[Gunda]

I'd go for something like this:

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/dell-inspiron-14-5405-14-laptop-amd-ryzen-5-256-gb-ssd-silver-10208028-pdt.html

[A Twig]

I'll leave more competent folks to talk about tech specs, but more prosaically don't forget to consider ruggedness, portability, battery and lightness - finding there is only that awkward last half a desk space in the library, or having to work off one of those chairs with a fold down "arm rest desk" in a lecture theatre - the physical characteristics will mean more than the extra gig or 100 of storage. Back in olden days before they were killed off as a form factor I bought my student girlfriend (now wife) a netbook which she loved as it did everything she needed and also fitted in her (only slightly oversized) handbag - easy to take around and get work done wherever without the encumbrance and crime target of a laptop bag.

Also - ports / adaptors. Depending on Uni and course studied, you might be required to present your work using a projector with VGA connections one day, then find yourself in a recently upgraded "Air Play equipped" study suite the next. The power of a fully equipped cable organiser bag with adaptors, chargers, wall warts etc cannot be under estimated - will be considered nerdy by course mates until their device is dead/not working etc and you can produce the magic cable / usb / iThing adaptor in a flash, then suddenly you'll find yourself being owed beers :clap:

[DiseasedBunny]

When my daughter went to uni last year we got her an i3 and a 256 ssd, she is doing maths so it didn’t need to be anything awesome, though a decent webcam is useful if they are going to be doing remote learning still -  but the prices of laptops seem to have gone up a lot!

[Penfold]

Thanks chaps. Useful. Definitely will upgrade to 256gb SSD.

[Penfold]

Thanks again.

Is there anything glaringly wrong with this?

https://www.johnlewis.com/hp-pavilion-15-eg0065na-laptop-intel-pentium-gold-processor-8gb-ram-256gb-ssd-15-6-inch-full-hd-silver/p5585787. I don't know what Pentium Gold means?
or this
https://www.johnlewis.com/hp-14s-14-cf2005na-laptop-intel-core-i3-processor-4gb-ram-256gb-ssd-14-inch-full-hd-silver/p5278201
or this?
https://www.johnlewis.com/hp-14s-14s-fq0000na-laptop-amd-ryzen-5-processor-8gb-ram-256gb-ssd-14-inch-full-hd-silver/p5099840

Thanks again. Time is against me on this.

[TeaLeaf]

We got both of ours an Asus for their university experience.    Most important feature - a 3 year warranty.  Their most important request - thin & crispy

How abut something like this:
https://www.johnlewis.com/asus-zenbook-flip-13-convertible-laptop-intel-core-i5-processor-8gb-ram-512gb-ssd-13-3-inch-full-hd-touchscreen-pine-grey/p5623562
https://www.johnlewis.com/asus-vivobook-15-x512da-laptop-amd-ryzen-7-processor-8gb-ram-512gb-ssd-15-6-inch-full-hd-silver/p5324041

Personally I prefer the 15" screen, if you're going to be staring at something for ages then the extra size helps.

[Penfold]

OK. bit pricey for me as I need to buy two.

What about

//www.johnlewis.com/acer-aspire-3-a315-56-laptop-intel-core-i5-processor-8gb-ram-512gb-ssd-15-6-inch-full-hd-black/p5451585

[TeaLeaf]

Seems to tick all the boxes!

[Gunda]

https://laptopmedia.com/gb/comparisons/amd-ryzen-5-4500u-vs-intel-core-i5-1035g4-another-heavy-defeat-for-intel/

I'd still go for the more recent Ryzen 5 laptop i linked, though extra £50 does get you the 15" screen and bigger HDD i guess..

[DiseasedBunny]

https://www.hughes.co.uk/product/computing/laptops/all-laptops/asus/x512da-bq1039t?c=425. This one?

[Penfold]

Great, thanks all. Sorted.