Hi sifu, thanks for being here to help us, so here seeking for suggestions for my sibling.

She will use Laptop for just Office work and Zoom, remote meeting and casual stuff like web surf and watch videos.

Budget : around 2.5-3k, prefer thin and light with good looking design.
Just like these two that she had shortlisted before but then feels like need something better:

1. HUAWEI matebook D15 core i3, good looking and okay ram/ssd, battery claims is quite attractive, but three points that make her gave up: not bundled with MS office, dated processor and weird webcam placement
2. Lenovo ideapad 3i intel core i3, 11th gen, but still i3 so I will rather her get ryzen version, also 3 series have poor battery

Requirements: good design, thin and light, decent battery.
Fine with non upgrade able 8gb ram and small ssd.
Best if comes with MS office bundled, seen like selected models have
Series to avoid when possible: thinkpad (don't like blacky design, plasticity?)

Wait time: n/a, not urgent, have at least 2 spare pc/laptops as disposal (aging and pending ssd upgrade)
I recommend her to look for lenovo website for more options, because on shopee not much lenovo options especially amd version, mostly sells intel models only
Thanks

Thinkbook is ok. Thanks, will refer this series for here...

Anyway since i am new to the forum don't mind dm for discounts should she commit to buy model from that series

This okay, spec is good for the price but for now not too urgent to get, maybe will wait for a bit before make order.
However if order now, also need wait as well.

Thanks, will keep in touch later in case need it later

These models uses TLC from Western Digital/SanDisk. Model PC SN530.

Although depending on availability may get slightly different model.

Chip shortage and part shortage still continues at least until next year

Wait time?

For those who looking for budget laptops (especially around 2k-3k range) Please note of possible build quality/qc issues, some budget models has sacrificed build quality to lower down the price point

This is why sifu ZM Fong take build quality as one of most important considerations when recommending laptops

This is how QC/quality issues shows especially on the hinge part. The hinge is broken despite that it is newly bought laptop. Model is Dell Inspiron 3000 series (2021 model)







Be careful when you buy the budget model

Image source: Facebook group



This post has been edited by MyProLife: Oct 24 2021, 10:16 AM

Maybe because of warranty / after sales service previously bad experience for him... both under highpoint HSN

If you are okay with integrated graphics, the most recent igpu like intel iris XE or Vega 8(ryzen u/h) can run csgo at medium settings at most for well over 60fps, or if you don't mind low settings, can reach 100+fps

However this also requires that laptop comes with fast dual channel memory. Since you require 16gb of fast dual channel memory (ddr4-3200 or lpddr4x 4266 is preferred for best igpu performance). So you need bump up to 3.5k+ still or wait for lenovo shipping

Edit: you can try this with some discount code (pm zm fong)
ThinkBook 14 Gen 3 AMD ryzen 7

Part Number:  21A20078MJ
Ship within 4 weeks (at least 1 months)

Or ThinkBook 14s Gen 2 (intel i5 11th)

Part Number:  20VA002SMJ
Same shipping 4 weeks


This post has been edited by MyProLife: Nov 13 2021, 02:33 PM

Maybe Acer Swift X BUT (yes a big but) ryzen 5 comes with 8gb soldered onboard ram and ryzen 7 with 16gb ram is close to 5k budget

You seems confused about the size choices. So maybe state maximum kilograms you can accept for portability? Some 15 incher with around 2.2-2.5kg may be okayish for guys

Otherwise for 14 incher with discrete graphics, sadly no much choices left other than swift x, rog zephyrus g14 or much overpriced models like zenbooks/vivobook pro or razer blades

This post has been edited by MyProLife: Nov 23 2021, 08:22 PM

obviously neither Swift X nor Vivobook X series are gaming laptops because they sacrifice the GPU power limit(MAX-Q suffix mana btw?) and maybe some CPU power limit(PL2 limit may be lower) to achieve the lighter weight of sub 1.8kg, they are targeted at creative professionals.

you wish to have max 1.8 kg, so you need to sacrifice the power as said above. and Legion 5 series are not that light either (at least 2.3kg iirc) but with more power limit.

OLED seems compelling for that ASUS 14X laptop, but do u really need that? take note of some minor disadvantages such as possibly lack of DC dimmer, glossy screen (ALL OLED screen are like that for now) and possible screen burn in. but if you thing the superior color representation is deal maker/breaker for you, then go for it (especially for creative professionals PS photo edit or PR/AE video post-pro or designers whose care about that color representation)

you may consider these options if you are fine with lower settings yet still needs dGPU

c. Acer Swift X R7 16gb ram (avoid R5 8gb ram because onboard, non-upgradeable mem)

you need at least 16gb ram, so perhaps above options barely acceptable because of onboard ram config, otherwise get gaming laptops that having options of upgrade up to 32gb ram eg. Nitro 5 or Legion 5 but with heavier 2.2+kg weight

you will need to give up some international warranty if you choose any besides ASUS and acer because in Malaysia as i remember only these two offers such warranty (asus 2 yrs int or acer 1st year)

can you consider buy laptop overseas later or want it now?

can you get heavier gaming laptop instead if you dont mind?

these above 2 questions because lenovo shipping is quite long and hp or dell do not offer such spec in light weight package for your budget.

around 2.5kg or more with HP victus or Dell G15

there's sub 2kg option from dell inspiron 15/16plus but over 5k, design looks so 'cheap' for that price

Is okay wattage because 50w base is standard for 1650 mobile

Max q of 1650 mobile is even lower like 30w on ms***i GF63

To verify the wattage, you will need to run a game or benchmark and download HWInfo64 to monitor it
https://jarrods.tech/how-to-work-out-gpu-po...t-for-a-laptop/

This post has been edited by MyProLife: Nov 26 2021, 01:17 PM

Yes google search for reviews to see

Yes. Because different chassis thermal design

both different type for different target. i worry about your back if you tends to carry 3kg+ (2.5kg+close to 1kg brick) like daily.

so is up to you to decide though.

G14 webcam is one of dealbreaker for some but can be easily fixed with usb clip-on webcam.

a. ASUS 14X OLED: 35W base, up to 50W boost (according to ultrabookreview on amd version)

b/c legion: 80w base, up to 95w boost

d. 50w base, boost 65w according to ASUS CS/product guide https://www.asus.com/event/2021/productguid...ROGPGQ32021.pdf

This post has been edited by MyProLife: Nov 29 2021, 12:02 PM

If unlimited wait time (ship more then 10 weeks from now)
Ideapad 5 pro AMD customize

If short wait time, get whatever with 16gb ram you can get then upgrade the ssd yourself

Lenovo lineup is so messy (so are some pc oems like asus or acer)

Yoga Slim series is clamshell traditional form factor

Yoga (not slim) is real 2in1 convertible

Since don't know when some years ago Yoga line is no longer exclusive 2in1 lineup since yoga s/slim series out to replace ideapad 7xx series

find used/refurb business laptop

If urgent then no choice le. Just get nitro 5 ready stock. Legion 5 hard to get ready stock anywhere unless you wait