Need advice on purchasing a new laptop?
Need advice on purchasing a new laptop?
Newbie here, so my cousin is looking for a new laptop for her professional use and asked me for some suggestions. Since I’m completely unsure, I thought I’d come across here to get your input.
1. What is your budget? Around 1500 euros.
2. What notebook size are you thinking about? It should weigh no more than 1.5 kgs and have a screen size of approximately 15.6 inches.
3. What resolution do you prefer? I assume it’s 1080p or higher.
4. Do you need a portable or desktop version? I’m not sure what this means—she’ll be using it at home but wants something lightweight to carry everywhere.
5. How important is battery life? I imagine she needs a long-lasting battery since she’ll be working for many hours.
6. Would you like to play games on the laptop? If yes, please list the games she’d like and the settings you prefer (Low, Medium or High). She hasn’t mentioned games but I know she used to play some. She doesn’t want anything too intense like RDR2, so I think she’ll get most of her usual games.
7. What other functions should it support? (Photo/Video editing, etc.)
As I mentioned, this laptop is mainly for work. She needs it to run programs like AutoCAD and GIS perfectly.
8. How much storage do you require? No specific details given.
9. If you’re planning to buy from certain websites, please share their links.
10. How long do you intend to keep the laptop? She wants it to last at least 7 years.
11. What type of optical drive does she need? DVD ROM/Writer, Bluray ROM/Writer, etc. — I don’t think it matters since she didn’t specify.
12. Could you tell us which brands you prefer and which ones you don’t like, along with your reasons?
She didn’t want Lenovo or any Chinese brands because she wasn’t satisfied with their customer service.
13. What country do you live in? Greece.
14. Any other details you’d like to share?
She also had a strange request: she wants a screen that’s easy to see in the sun. I told her such things don’t exist, but maybe I’m mistaken. She also wants the screen to have “nice colours” so she can see clearly… I don’t know what that means, honestly.
Alright, that’s about it. Please share some recommendations below and I’ll take a look. Thanks!
If you prioritize portability, I suggest opting for a 14-inch model instead of the 15.6". You’ll receive a laptop that weighs under 1.5Kg and offers extended battery life. It’s also possible to connect it with a bigger external screen for use at a desk.
For displays, you’ll want one that provides strong sRGB coverage and high contrast. Generally, all laptops in this price range come with a quality IPS screen. When exposed to sunlight, the screen will perform best with a matte finish and bright backlight. Avoid displays that use PWM brightness control unless they operate at a very high frequency, especially if this is intended for work use.
Initially, I planned to suggest Lenovo, but it seems you’re not interested in them. Other options worth mentioning include:
- HP Envy 14 (likely to receive an i7 processor with 11th gen Intel, possibly upgraded to 12th soon; good for Nvidia GPU support)
- Dell Inspiron 14 – Affordable choice with an i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and Iris XE graphics
- Dell Inspiron 14 Plus – Features powerful H-series CPUs and can be upgraded with an Nvidia 3050 for casual gaming
- Dell XPS 13 & 15 – Premium models that balance compact size with strong hardware, though they may exceed your budget
For detailed reviews and technical insights, I recommend checking out https://www.notebookcheck.net/.