Ultrabook recommendation for Uni

[Armourdillo]

Budget: up to 1.7+k
Use: General computing, possible solidworks, Light esport gaming


Was planning wait till IT Fair get a new ultrabook because my current laptop battery bloated already, look like gonna uplorry soon.

Hopefully looking for
16gb ram (for some future proofing),
have MX150 discrete (at least can play a little dota at times) Under 1.5kg
14 Inch (prefably)
Battery life at least 5 hours (non-gaming)


Right now looking at ASUS UX433 and UX430 (on clearance), hopefully got deal in IT fair price go down even more. I dont really need i7 processor esp on ultrabook but alot of models if want 16gb ram then need buy the most expensive i7 model.

Not sure about the Ryzen line, only know the onboard vega graphics like not bad compared to intel hd graphics

Anyone got any good recommendations? Don't say what Dell XPS or LG Gram all so expensive.

Thanks in advance

 

[rabbit1]

Acer Swift 3.

 

[watzup_ken]

Acer Swift 3.

I second this, but this usually comes with 8GB of ram.

Unfortunately most if not all manufacturers will force people to buy the top end model, i.e. i7 processor, just to get more storage + ram. In actual fact, there is little incentive to go for i7 because its been proven time and again that the ultra low power chip is constrained by the 15W power + thermals. i7 barely result in a tangible improvement in performance over an i5 chip in the same series. in some cases, it may even regress because of thermal throttling faster if the laptop is not able to keep up with the heat output.

 

[rabbit1]

there's this common misconception that uni / computing students need GTX/i7/16GB RAM laptops to function in uni. that's total bs. just getting something light and long battery. price to battery to weight ratio, acer swift 3 tops it...

 

[iseedogface]

Budget: up to 1.7+k
Use: General computing, possible solidworks, Light esport gaming


Was planning wait till IT Fair get a new ultrabook because my current laptop battery bloated already, look like gonna uplorry soon.

Hopefully looking for
16gb ram (for some future proofing),
have MX150 discrete (at least can play a little dota at times) Under 1.5kg
14 Inch (prefably)
Battery life at least 5 hours (non-gaming)


Right now looking at ASUS UX433 and UX430 (on clearance), hopefully got deal in IT fair price go down even more. I dont really need i7 processor esp on ultrabook but alot of models if want 16gb ram then need buy the most expensive i7 model.

Not sure about the Ryzen line, only know the onboard vega graphics like not bad compared to intel hd graphics

Anyone got any good recommendations? Don't say what Dell XPS or LG Gram all so expensive.

Thanks in advance

get a thinkpad. Solves all your future headaches.

 

[Armourdillo]

get a thinkpad. Solves all your future headaches.

which series? I see the price quite expensive leh. customise the T-series one. A series (with AMD processor) quite affordable but might be quite heavy (if base weight already 1.6kg)

there's this common misconception that uni / computing students need GTX/i7/16GB RAM laptops to function in uni. that's total bs. just getting something light and long battery. price to battery to weight ratio, acer swift 3 tops it...

I second this, but this usually comes with 8GB of ram.

Unfortunately most if not all manufacturers will force people to buy the top end model, i.e. i7 processor, just to get more storage + ram. In actual fact, there is little incentive to go for i7 because its been proven time and again that the ultra low power chip is constrained by the 15W power + thermals. i7 barely result in a tangible improvement in performance over an i5 chip in the same series. in some cases, it may even regress because of thermal throttling faster if the laptop is not able to keep up with the heat output.

I wanted the mx150 at least so can occassionally dota abit. 16gb future proof abit ma. Expect to use this for the next 4-5 years. i7 of 0 priority to me but is just that all company only put 16gb with their i7 variant

I know acer priced quite competitively but sometimes hear some people say build quality is bad/not as premium.

 

[86technie]

Intel laptop battery will be much longer than AMD.
Thinkpad T series seems suitable for you but
the high price.

The closest model I can think of Dell Inspiron i7/MX150/SSD+1TB
at $1.5k.
Brand like Dell, HP can extend their warranty for few more years.

I only know Asus laptop warranty cannot be extended.
I would recommend not focusing on searching a laptop for
solidworks.

Solidworks need a laptop that is powerful enough to handle
like Intel H series with prefer a professional graphic.
Intel u series with MX150 can run but since it is intended
for low wattage so it might not handle that well unlike H
series.

Laptop with H series usually are either gaming/mobile workstation.
The weight at 2.5kg will be an disadvantage.
For solid works either on a desktop but not a laptop or Uni
computer lab.

 

[Armourdillo]

Intel laptop battery will be much longer than AMD.
Thinkpad T series seems suitable for you but
the high price.

The closest model I can think of Dell Inspiron i7/MX150/SSD+1TB
at $1.5k.
Brand like Dell, HP can extend their warranty for few more years.

I only know Asus laptop warranty cannot be extended.
I would recommend not focusing on searching a laptop for
solidworks.

Solidworks need a laptop that is powerful enough to handle
like Intel H series with prefer a professional graphic.
Intel u series with MX150 can run but since it is intended
for low wattage so it might not handle that well unlike H
series.

Laptop with H series usually are either gaming/mobile workstation.
The weight at 2.5kg will be an disadvantage.
For solid works either on a desktop but not a laptop or Uni
computer lab.

check the T-series quite out of my budget liao
See the Inspiron quite affordable but the weight also not too light. But any thoughts on the UX430/UX433 from asus?

I understand with the solidworks concern. Makes sense also. If need use then i use school computer or go back home use desktop to run.

 

[rabbit1]

Swift 3 comes with MX150.. Too bad no 16GB. If your budget permit just get the zenbook bah.

 

[86technie]

check the T-series quite out of my budget liao
See the Inspiron quite affordable but the weight also not too light. But any thoughts on the UX430/UX433 from asus?

I understand with the solidworks concern. Makes sense also. If need use then i use school computer or go back home use desktop to run.

Asus is OK but their service is questionable. That inspiron is about 1.6kg, if you wish lighter than that would be surface pro or HP envy x360.
Only the HP envy x360 with AMD Ryzen than can game.

 

[tutonic]

https://www.lenovo.com/sg/en/laptops/ideapad/ideapad-500s-series/Ideapad-530S-14-Intel/p/81EU00NWSB

Lenovo 530s 14inch, i7 8850u, 16gb ram, 512gb ssd, mx150. 1.49kg

It's only $1583 after their FLASH discount. Add 1 cent for 3 years NBD on-site warranty. 1 unit left.

 

[narkizy]

Asus is OK but their service is questionable. That inspiron is about 1.6kg, if you wish lighter than that would be surface pro or HP envy x360.
Only the HP envy x360 with AMD Ryzen than can game.

I've have to deal with their warranty repair service before. Polite but the repair process is slow as hell. Dell has much better and efficient warranty services tbh

 

[Armourdillo]

I've have to deal with their warranty repair service before. Polite but the repair process is slow as hell. Dell has much better and efficient warranty services tbh

I just hope no issues if i go with asus then. Dell XPS series all super expensive.

Swift 3 comes with MX150.. Too bad no 16GB. If your budget permit just get the zenbook bah.

Yeah the MX150 is a welcome sight, then its quite standard cos all their swift 3 models have 8gb ram.

Only got one variant SF314-54G got 12gb ram, but not dual channel then not sure have 12gb for what sia

https://www.qoo10.sg/item/ACER-ACER...-BLUE-FHD-IPS-NARROW-BEZEL-THIN-AND/618291723

and

https://www.qoo10.sg/item/ACER-ACER...G-523B-14-INCH-INTEL-I5-WITH-NVIDIA/639373238

think if got qoo10 promo is around 11xx or 1200, think wuhua anot? or just wait for PC show maybe got better deal

 

[86technie]

Either PCshow or see if buy from Uni can cheaper.

 

[ThickGlass]

personally I prefer Mac Air/ Mac Pro

The design is good and user experience is super. I used my Mac Air for 2 years.

If you like to can even install windows on it. Also there is 10% discount for student.

 

[rabbit1]

The design is good and user experience is super. I used my Mac Air for 2 years.

If you like to can even install windows on it. Also there is 10% discount for student.

No discrete graphic card. And generally for the same price, one can get non Apple products with better specifications

 

[fi5hbone]

Xps 13 from Dell.

 

[Armourdillo]

too small and too expensive for its configuration, but I know dell is pretty good with their products

 

[narkizy]

Just to clear up some misconceptions here:

SCREW mac. A student in programming being forced to dual boot and use windows and waste more precious money on bloody expensive SSD space is just. so. sad. Just get a fkin windows laptop and save ur money.


1) You dont actually 'need' powerful processors to run ANYTHING uni has to throw at u coding-wise. I've seen colleagues using beatup 6 year old macbooks to do software development. Programming in uni is VERY cpu-light. You could use even the cheapest i3 crap and breeze thru computing in uni.

2) Lenovo's AMD Thinkpad line is dirt cheap and very worth. You probably saw their top-end business-grade thinkpads and got scared off.

3) Screw the XPS 13 and Apple unless you're some stuck up rich kid with too much cash to burn. Macbook- underpowered, overpriced crap that will not run DOTA, is crap at programming in uni(very, very few courses actually do programming suited to the MacOS environment which is itself, bloody rigid and hard to use for beginners) XPS 13 - overpriced for its specs, only for ppl who have cash to burn, not for students.
You could check lenovo's AMD deals out - AMD's iGPU or APUs are stronger than the MX150 and the 2700u is almost as powerful(again, doesnt really matter) as the i5 8th gen.

https://www.lenovo.com/sg/en/laptop...es/ThinkPad-E485/p/20KUCTO1WWENSG0/customize?

2700u with Vega 10 gpu, 16gb ram, 128 ssd, 1tb HDD, 65W type-c charging, 14in 1080p screen, 1.7kg light ---> 1.1k SGD.

And thats the top specc'd version. You can get an APU laptop for easily as low as 7-800 bucks.

To put it into context:

AMD APU > MX150 > Intel iGPU. 2700u > i5 8550u.

So if you're looking for a cheap work laptop thats super light, powerful enough to code and can Dota, this is it for me.

 

[firezero10]

Just to clear up some misconceptions here:

SCREW mac. A student in programming being forced to dual boot and use windows and waste more precious money on bloody expensive SSD space is just. so. sad. Just get a fkin windows laptop and save ur money.


1) You dont actually 'need' powerful processors to run ANYTHING uni has to throw at u coding-wise. I've seen colleagues using beatup 6 year old macbooks to do software development. Programming in uni is VERY cpu-light. You could use even the cheapest i3 crap and breeze thru computing in uni.

2) Lenovo's AMD Thinkpad line is dirt cheap and very worth. You probably saw their top-end business-grade thinkpads and got scared off.

3) Screw the XPS 13 and Apple unless you're some stuck up rich kid with too much cash to burn. Macbook- underpowered, overpriced crap that will not run DOTA, is crap at programming in uni(very, very few courses actually do programming suited to the MacOS environment which is itself, bloody rigid and hard to use for beginners) XPS 13 - overpriced for its specs, only for ppl who have cash to burn, not for students.
You could check lenovo's AMD deals out - AMD's iGPU or APUs are stronger than the MX150 and the 2700u is almost as powerful(again, doesnt really matter) as the i5 8th gen.

https://www.lenovo.com/sg/en/laptop...es/ThinkPad-E485/p/20KUCTO1WWENSG0/customize?

2700u with Vega 10 gpu, 16gb ram, 128 ssd, 1tb HDD, 65W type-c charging, 14in 1080p screen, 1.7kg light ---> 1.1k SGD.

And thats the top specc'd version. You can get an APU laptop for easily as low as 7-800 bucks.

To put it into context:

AMD APU > MX150 > Intel iGPU. 2700u > i5 8550u.

So if you're looking for a cheap work laptop thats super light, powerful enough to code and can Dota, this is it for me.

If got uni email can get student discount too. Still got shopback 7%.

Actually I just look up Vega 10 vs Mx 150. Seems like mx150 is better leh.