Need a laptop for a Thai 20's woman for college

[Old Fool]

Aliexpress? Lazada? local shop?  Any recommendations?  Right now I'm leaning to Aliexpress from China, but unsure if her address will be delivered to easily.

 

Budget: ~$400/ 10k-15k baht

[casualbiker]

Honestly..a 2nd hand DELL from a Facebook market seller such as Airbus computer or BSL Computer. I got mine from Airbus. 

[Lacessit]

Big C has several in that price range. OfficeWorks also.

 

The problem with online shopping arises when something fails. For a low-cost item, there's not much pain. For something as expensive as a laptop, I would want to be able to go back to an established outlet, not a collection of electrons.

[clivebaxter]

I agree with local shop over anything else, they will set the machine up for you and they are there if it develops problems, lazada sellers tend to disappear. I'm taking neighbors kids to look for laptop in Jib or Banana this afternoon, Asus or Lenovo.

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, Old Fool said:

Budget: ~$400/ 10k-15k baht

You won't get a decent new computer for that money.

But you will get a decent 2nd hand notebook for that money. And if you follow the following advice then likely you will get one in good condition.

51 minutes ago, casualbiker said:

Honestly..a 2nd hand DELL from a Facebook market seller such as Airbus computer or BSL Computer. I got mine from Airbus. 

 

In terms of power a 3 year old computer is fine. It is absolutely not necessary to buy the newest. The power of the newest computers at any time are basically only necessary for the newest games of that time - and after a year it's time for an upgrade...

[Old Fool]

I'm leaning to new, but now I don't know. 

 

I have a gaming desktop that is about 3 years old.  It's still sick.  I feel that it is probably pretty ok compared to top of line pc's today due to the lack of excitement over the past 8 or so years in the PC industry.  I kind of feel that we are topping out on the real story vs. the BS tech hype.  PC's just aren't advancing like they were prior to 10 years ago.  So now I'm thinking- used like suggested.  Hmm..  I hated used PC's before because of the quick advancement of PC's and the outdated used products being peddled. 

 

Maybe used is ok now like Toyota cars are.  ??? 

 

Maybe a used name brand like Fujita, Dell, HP is the way to go, but the $400 laptop is maybe a two year project here, so I don't know now.  

[wprime]

41 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

You won't get a decent new computer for that money.

But you will get a decent 2nd hand notebook for that money. And if you follow the following advice then likely you will get one in good condition.

 

In terms of power a 3 year old computer is fine. It is absolutely not necessary to buy the newest. The power of the newest computers at any time are basically only necessary for the newest games of that time - and after a year it's time for an upgrade...

 

The problem with older laptops is the battery which often start to have problems after 3 years. If she's using it at university she will probably need decent battery life. There are plenty of ~1 yr old laptops that would be within the price range.

[Old Fool]

thanks, good point I didn't think about.

[OneMoreFarang]

28 minutes ago, wprime said:

 

The problem with older laptops is the battery which often start to have problems after 3 years. If she's using it at university she will probably need decent battery life. There are plenty of ~1 yr old laptops that would be within the price range.

I agree. And with an older notebook just buy a new battery pack.

[Kwasaki]

44 minutes ago, Old Fool said:

thanks, good point I didn't think about.

As said I would recommend Asus or Lenovo.

My Asus has been so reliable and is over 10 years old.

[Eindhoven]

I of course disagree with everything that everyone else has written. 

I say buy new locally. Buying second there is perhaps no warranty. If there is a problem, she is stuck with a paperweight unless she can afford to get it fixed herself.

Who will change the battery in a second hand laptop? Many are actually inside the notebook of late. The OP doesn't appear to be near the recipient in order to help; so another issue.

She likely doesn't need the latest and greatest laptop; so 10 to 15k will easily cover a suitable device. But do check on what she actually needs.

Some claim to need iPads for their courses; especially as the course materials are supplied by Apple.

[Eindhoven]

For a Notebook/laptop, this spec is likely more than ample: https://www.lazada.co.th/products/dell-inspiron-15-amd-w566155260athw10-3505-w-ryzen-3-2-i2066248034-s6743802991.html

 

By locally, I mean definitely not from China.

[Eindhoven]

For the OP; the reasons for that choice, in no particular order: Two year on-site warranty. Wide View screen as opposed to a narrow view TN type, Ryzen CPU as opposed to Athlon/Celeron/Pentium. 8GB of RAM as opposed to 4GB, NVMe SSD as opposed to HDD, 720p webcam as opposed to VGA, 3 cell battery as opposed to 2 cell...

Seller has a bricks and mortar location in addition to a Lazada presence: https://itrinitydell.com/product/notebook-dell/inspiron/3000-series/new-inspiron-15-amd-w566155260athw10-3505-bk-w/

 

Compare to other models for yourself.

[KeeTua]

23 minutes ago, Eindhoven said:

Compare to other models for yourself.

I checked both those links you posted and that laptop is out of stock. I went through this a few weeks ago shopping for a cheap laptop and found there is a shortage of them. Most of the sub 20k laptops are sold out "สินค้าหมดแล้ว" https://itrinitydell.com/product-category/notebook-dell/.

Same at InvadeIT "Temporarily Unavailable" https://www.invadeit.co.th/category/notebooks-laptops/sort/price/asc/

 

If you do find any decent ones around 15K that are available I'm still interested.

[Eindhoven]

29 minutes ago, KeeTua said:

I checked both those links you posted and that laptop is out of stock. I went through this a few weeks ago shopping for a cheap laptop and found there is a shortage of them. Most of the sub 20k laptops are sold out "สินค้าหมดแล้ว" https://itrinitydell.com/product-category/notebook-dell/.

Same at InvadeIT "Temporarily Unavailable" https://www.invadeit.co.th/category/notebooks-laptops/sort/price/asc/

 

If you do find any decent ones around 15K that are available I'm still interested.

 

That was unexpected. You might have to pay a bit more.

 

Last two: https://www.lazada.co.th/products/dell-14-intel-core-i3-ram-8-gb-256-gb-w568154003thw10-i2137942888-s7160680122.html

[Eindhoven]

If budget cannot be breached: https://www.lazada.co.th/products/notebook-lenovo-ideapad-14iil05-81wd00ljta-windows-10-home-lenovo-2-i1459754568-s3811088383.html

 

But <deleted> webcam, 2 Cell battery, send/carry in warranty(unless you upgrade it online with Lenovo).

Other than that fine for the task, as most would prefer 14" for portability.

[KeeTua]

14 minutes ago, Eindhoven said:

If budget cannot be breached: https://www.lazada.co.th/products/notebook-lenovo-ideapad-14iil05-81wd00ljta-windows-10-home-lenovo-2-i1459754568-s3811088383.html

 

But <deleted> webcam, 2 Cell battery, send/carry in warranty(unless you upgrade it online with Lenovo).

Other than that fine for the task, as most would prefer 14" for portability.

Thanks for the link. I noted that they had no reviews of the laptop on Lazada so decided to visit the Ubon Computer site and there we still have the same problem "Out of stock" for the lower priced laptops including the one listed on Lazada. The specs did look OK for that laptop though.

 

https://www.uboncomputer.co.th/product/notebook.html?brands_notebook=15&product_list_order=price

[Eindhoven]

12 minutes ago, KeeTua said:

Thanks for the link. I noted that they had no reviews of the laptop on Lazada so decided to visit the Ubon Computer site and there we still have the same problem "Out of stock" for the lower priced laptops including the one listed on Lazada. The specs did look OK for that laptop though.

 

https://www.uboncomputer.co.th/product/notebook.html?brands_notebook=15&product_list_order=price

 

So keep looking. Good luck. Others may wish to actually message them via Lazada.

[KeeTua]

1 hour ago, Eindhoven said:

Others may wish to actually message them via Lazada.

Just checked with them via chat at Lazada. Out of stock.

[Eindhoven]

2 hours ago, KeeTua said:

Just checked with them via chat at Lazada. Out of stock.

 

Their page has been updated. Really didn't know there was such a shortage.  My trusty old ACER has shielded me from such things.

[caughtintheact]

Take a look at invadeit.co.th. Under Notebooks/Laptops there are many choices of new notebooks under $400. They are located in Hua Hin, and offer installment payments.  The company is very responsive to email requests on the its website.  Disclaimer:  As a periodic customer,  have gotten products from them in just a few days, but have no other interest in the company.

[kynikoi]

I wouldn't order anything online you never know if you're getting a refurbished product or if the product has been reboxxed or whatever.

 

I would also not buy a secondhand computer rather I would purchase a lesser new computer if that's what it takes.

 

Dell is now making a good product again, Asus makes good products. The Lenovo and Acer brands doesn't look so terrible I would probably recommend that. I'm an Asus fanboi.

 

If it's just Microsoft office or Google documents, internet and watching a video every now and then most low-end computers can handle that.

 

8 GB ram. You definitely don't need any fancy graphics or sound card or anything like that. For your budget I just recommend a standard hard drive the SSD drives that you would purchase the size that a student might need would be quite expensive if you buy one that's too small they will have trouble managing the data on it and end up getting an external or whatever.... Adding another in the bay if they have an additional one.

[Yellowtail]

If it's a girlfriend take he to Lotus or some other cheap place and le her pick what she wants. 

 

One and done.

 

She picks it you're a hero. You pick it and you'll hear about it from now on....

[clivebaxter]

was surprised at central with kid looking to buy his first laptop, very little under 20k, so he ended up with the cheapest Acer for 11k, plus ram upgrade and his mum insisted on the manager downloading programs on it for 500 baht. I did tell her not to bother. Guaranteed 2 years, he'll break it within a few months though ????

[bangsaenguy]

https://www.jib.co.th/web/product/product_list/3/121/0?price=10700-15900&brand=&name_cpu=&cpu_model=&Graphic_type=&Display_Type=&LAN=&Operating_System=&warranty=&Color=

[Old Fool]

5 hours ago, bangsaenguy said:

https://www.jib.co.th/web/product/product_list/3/121/0?price=10700-15900&brand=&name_cpu=&cpu_model=&Graphic_type=&Display_Type=&LAN=&Operating_System=&warranty=&Color=

thanks, this is possible.  It's too bad I can't come to Thailand right now, because that's $400 here.

[Old Fool]

6 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

If it's a girlfriend take he to Lotus or some other cheap place and le her pick what she wants. 

 

One and done.

 

She picks it you're a hero. You pick it and you'll hear about it from now on....

it's my daughter in law.  She's in Bangkok, we're in USA.

[Old Fool]

On 6/17/2021 at 4:25 AM, caughtintheact said:

Take a look at invadeit.co.th. Under Notebooks/Laptops there are many choices of new notebooks under $400. They are located in Hua Hin, and offer installment payments.  The company is very responsive to email requests on the its website.  Disclaimer:  As a periodic customer,  have gotten products from them in just a few days, but have no other interest in the company.

thanks.  This one seems ok.  MSI

 

https://www.invadeit.co.th/product/notebooks-laptops/msi/modern-14-b10mw-607th-carbon-gray-p056752/

[Old Fool]

On 6/16/2021 at 10:14 PM, Eindhoven said:

For the OP; the reasons for that choice, in no particular order: Two year on-site warranty. Wide View screen as opposed to a narrow view TN type, Ryzen CPU as opposed to Athlon/Celeron/Pentium. 8GB of RAM as opposed to 4GB, NVMe SSD as opposed to HDD, 720p webcam as opposed to VGA, 3 cell battery as opposed to 2 cell...

Seller has a bricks and mortar location in addition to a Lazada presence: https://itrinitydell.com/product/notebook-dell/inspiron/3000-series/new-inspiron-15-amd-w566155260athw10-3505-bk-w/

 

Compare to other models for yourself.

looks like a good deal there

[Yellowtail]

4 hours ago, Old Fool said:

it's my daughter in law.  She's in Bangkok, we're in USA.

 

Send her the money