Yet another "which laptop" thread....

[C n C]

My better half has decided that she doesn't get on with a Chromebook - (ASUS Chromebook Flip C433TA, Intel Core M3, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC, 14" Full HD, Silver), as it seems to play havoc with her online shopping (even using different browsers), but also she's decided it would be good to try some basic gaming - something that wasn't on the spec list when getting the Chromebook.

I've been asked to look for a decent laptop, but having been firmly in the Mac camp for the last 10 years, I'm a bit out of touch with current specs and what would be required.


I've done some research, and beleive that a Windows machine with 8Gb RAM, SSD of 512Gb, and an RTX 3050 graphics card should fit the bill for playing stuff like "The Council" and other similar titles, but in true PH fashion have been looking at what is available refurbished as a way to increase the spec. Budget is £1100 max.

Any thoughts on this ASUS laptop from Box?

On the face of it, a 16 inch laptop with an 8 core Intel i7, 16Gb RAM, 1Tb SSD, and RTX 3060 seems to me like a pretty decent deal for £1037, so I just have a couple of questions:

1. Is it a good deal, and should last a few years?
2. Is Box a reasonably reliable supplier?

Many thanks for any input.

[Magnum 475]

As a Mac user, you don't realise how much RAM Microsoft needs.

16 GB minimum if you want decent performance. I've currently got a work-issued Win 10 laptop with 16, and that struggles at times.

[sgrimshaw]

C n C said:

I just have a couple of questions:

1. Is it a good deal, and should last a few years?
2. Is Box a reasonably reliable supplier?

1. 2 - Yes Box are fine, used them several times

[Dave Hedgehog]

Magnum 475 said:

As a Mac user, you don't realise how much RAM Microsoft needs.

16 GB minimum if you want decent performance. I've currently got a work-issued Win 10 laptop with 16, and that struggles at times.

to be fair chrome browser is just as much a mem hog on macs as it is on windows, i would spec 16gb on macs for heavy web surfers

[xeny]

If she's going to use it as a laptop (and a 16" gaming laptop is a bit of a lump especially compared to a Chromebook for lap use), then the way the screen hinges down at the back may be annoying/uncomfortable.

If she's not going to use it on her lap, is there anywhere you can place a desktop - more performance, far more upgradeability than a laptop for gaming.

edit: I've bought from Box and they have been fine.

[C n C]

xeny said:

If she's going to use it as a laptop (and a 16" gaming laptop is a bit of a lump especially compared to a Chromebook for lap use), then the way the screen hinges down at the back may be annoying/uncomfortable.

If she's not going to use it on her lap, is there anywhere you can place a desktop - more performance, far more upgradeability than a laptop for gaming.

edit: I've bought from Box and they have been fine.

Thanks to all for their input.
Good to hear positive thoughts on Box as a supplier.

Regarding her usage patterns - she's unlikely to use it on her lap, but will want to regularly use it in 3 different rooms (all have a suitable surface to put it on), and occasionally away from the house, so this pretty much rules out a desktop, unfortunately.

I understand the lack of upgradeability for a laptop (apart from increasing memory and SSD size), so was interested in whether people thought the one I linked to above was likely to be of a sufficient spec to last a while. As she's not yet heavily into gaming, I rather suspect that a "competent" machine will exceed her requirements rather than there being a need for a high spec (and significantly more expensive) laptop?

[anonymous-user]

I have a gaming laptop with similar specs, a Lenovo Legion Pro. It weighs 2.5KG, has a massive power pack and I certainly wouldn't want to us it anywhere other than on a table.

Also bear in mind the 3060 in that laptop is the 95W version, so won't be as powerful as the full fat 130W version as used in the Lenovo laptops.

Gaming laptops are a compromise, they are heavy and the fans are noisy.