Laptop recs?

[pinkly]

We purchase an HP Envy in July for my daughter for college. 61 days later and it started having issues. Without typing a novel, we have had the worst time with their customer service and warranty repair. They have submitted it for a refund. Which is incredibly strange to me.

If that refund happens, I need ideas on a replacement and would rather not get another HP.

She likes 14in. Touch screen. 2in1. Beyond that, 16gm memory and 1T whatever that is.

Any recs? Thanks!

[Deleted]

Not a touch screen, but MacBooks are absolute tanks. Any other laptop is likely going to need to be replaced during college or shortly after. I’ve had MacBooks last ten years. There are some academic programs that don’t allow Macs because they aren’t compatible with required software, so definitely check with her program’s specific tech requirements.

[ny96]

Oct 11, 2024 14:16:21 GMT -5 @villainv said:

Not a touch screen, but MacBooks are absolute tanks. Any other laptop is likely going to need to be replaced during college or shortly after. I’ve had MacBooks last ten years. There are some academic programs that don’t allow Macs because they aren’t compatible with required software, so definitely check with her program’s specific tech requirements.

Agreed. H and I share a Macbook in addition to our work computers. We typically replace our MacBook every 6 years or so, but I pulled one of our old MacBooks to grab something saved on the hard drive and was pleasantly surprised how well it still worked as it’s probably about 12 years old.

[pinkly]

Oct 11, 2024 14:16:21 GMT -5 @villainv said:

Not a touch screen, but MacBooks are absolute tanks. Any other laptop is likely going to need to be replaced during college or shortly after. I’ve had MacBooks last ten years. There are some academic programs that don’t allow Macs because they aren’t compatible with required software, so definitely check with her program’s specific tech requirements.

Yeah that’s the problem. I’d love to buy her a Mac but her program says no.

[mich1]

I have a Lenovo Yoga that I really like. What's nice about it is that it's very lightweight, so easy to haul around. Mine is about 8 years old now. I had to replace the battery last year, but it still works well.

[pinkly]

Oct 11, 2024 14:42:30 GMT -5 mich1 said:

I have a Lenovo Yoga that I really like. What's nice about it is that it's very lightweight, so easy to haul around. Mine is about 8 years old now. I had to replace the battery last year, but it still works well.

Thanks! Have you had any experience with their customer service?

[glw]

I also have a Lenovo Yoga that I got in 2014 and still going strong. I did my whole grad program on that little thing (including SPSS and other software).

[beerlover]

We have Lenovos at work and I've never had an issue with one in 12 years. I have the "L15" right now but I'm sure there's newer models.

[tiki]

The one Windows laptop I liked was also a Lenovo (a Thinkpad that lasted me for all 6 years of grad school.)

[mich1]

Oct 11, 2024 14:49:48 GMT -5 pinkly said:

Oct 11, 2024 14:42:30 GMT -5 mich1 said:

I have a Lenovo Yoga that I really like. What's nice about it is that it's very lightweight, so easy to haul around. Mine is about 8 years old now. I had to replace the battery last year, but it still works well.

Thanks! Have you had any experience with their customer service?

I have never needed to use it, so no.  I do remember buying my Lenovo directly from Lenovo on Black Friday.

Actually, I just remembered that my earlier laptop was a Lenovo too.  My cat stepped on the screen and broke it.  Lenovo replaced the screen.  It cost me....$200-300??  But as I remember it, the customer service for that was pretty good and the turn around was fast.  That was not an inexpensive computer as I was running high powered statistical packages on it and it was my goof for leaving the laptop where I did.

[mlkgls]

Not to pile on, but I also bought a Lenovo Ideapad last Black Friday for home use and I’ve been happy so far. Rakuten currently has 2% cash back from the Lenovo website too, although it will likely be higher if you hold out until BF.

[6fsn]

Hands down Lenovos. I purchase devices all day long. I always include 3 year extended warranty with adp. The yoga is an excellent choice and has a 10 key option.

[pinkly]

Thanks, all! Best Buy chat agent did just recommend a Lenovo as well. Tell me why I can’t get past the fact it is so much cheaper than the PITA HP?

[SwimDeep]

If you're okay with refurbished, BackMarket.com is phenomenal. I just bought a 2021 laptop from them for well under original sales price. And, yes, it is a Lenovo. Not a touch screen, but perfect for what I need.

I've bought several things through them now and have not been disappointed. The good feeling I get from rescuing tech gadgets from the landfill is just a bonus 😁