New Laptop - Is this good? Please help

[n8dogg59]

Hi all. I'm 40 years old and starting school again to get a programming degree and need a new laptop and just don't know a ton about what to get. I'll just be using the computer for school work, internet, and probably letting kids watch shows on it every once and a while. I'd like to keep the price around $600 with an absolute max of $700. I won't be doing any gaming. Don't need an optical drive. Probably need at least 500 GB hard drive and like the idea of an ssd. Definitely don't need the touchscreen and don't really want it to be honest. I'm looking for something 14-16". I saw this HP pavilion 15 at Costco for $600 and the specs are below. I was just hoping to get some advice if this is a good choice. The others I've considered are the Acer Swift 3 but it sounds like the screen brightness could be an issue. The Lenovo Ideapad also looks like a decent option along with the Asus Vivobook 15. Anyone have advice because I could definitely use some help.

HP Pavilion 15.6" Touchscreen Laptop - 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 - 1080p


Item 1422467
Model 15-cs3153cl

• 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1035G1 Processor at 1.0GHz
• Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (2x2) + and Bluetooth® 5.0
• HP WideVision HD Camera with Dual Array Digital Microphone
• B&O Play Audio with Dual Speakers
• Full-size Island-style Backlit Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Battery Life Up To - 10 Hour
Brand - HP
Backlit Keyboard
Numeric Keypad
Intel 10th Generation
Integrated Graphics
Memory (RAM) - 12 GB
Model - 15-cs3153cl
Windows OS
Intel Core i5 - 1035G1
Resolution - 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Screen Size - 15.6 in.
Screen Type - Touchscreen
SSD Size - 512 GB

 

[damian101]

I would recommend getting a laptop with a 6+ core Ryzen 4000 Renoir CPU/APU, like the Ryzen 4500U, without a dedicated GPU.
The HP ProBook 445 G7 and HP ProBook 455 G7 are worth looking into.
You can very often save some money by buying a lower-spec version and upgrading RAM and storage yourself later.

 

[VirtualLarry]

If you're going to be using this laptop day in and out for programming, I would try to test out in person, or at least read a LOT of reviews, and pay particular attention to the KEYBOARD, and secondarily the SCREEN. The CPU used isn't SO important (as long as it's reasonably modern).

I recommend a used ThinkPad with the red nubbin, and maxing out the RAM, and getting the largest SATA 2.5" SSD that is reliable and that you can afford.

 

[n8dogg59]

Thanks so much for the replies. Not sure I'm comfortable buying a used or refurbed one, I have enough trouble figuring out the new one. I did find this one on lenovo website. It's an ideapad like VirtualLarry suggested. Curious what you think of this one for $730? Damian I do like the Ryzen 4000 series after researching and am still looking to try and maybe find one with that. https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/ideapad/ideapad-700-series/IdeaPad-Slim-7-15IIL05/p/88IPS701406

 

[VirtualLarry]

It's an ideapad like VirtualLarry suggested.

No, I said ThinkPad. That's their business line. IdeaPad is their consumer line, and is less well-built.

 

[n8dogg59]

My bad, didn't see that.

 

[Rameshkumar]

I would suggest u that buy any 8 GB Ram and i5 processor . which is best for u.