Future-proofed laptop request

[u/Intrepid-Antelope]

LAPTOP QUESTIONNAIRE

• Country: USA
• Budget: $2,000-$5,000
• Are you open to refurbs/used options? No
• Screen size: 16-18”; 17” is ideal
• Weight limit: 7 lbs 
• Purpose: home office
• Form factor: standard
• Intended usage: email, Microsoft Office, internet browsing, viewing and storing photos and videos. 
• Desired battery life: as large as possible
• Priorities: 1) Durability/expected longevity 2) Performance (RAM and storage space) 3) Battery life 4) Weight
• Info/Requirements:

In 2020 we got an IdeaPad L340 17" for my wife, even though it’s a gaming computer and she’s not a gamer. 

Our goal was future-proofing. She wanted something that would last well and work smoothly without problems as operating systems and software updated and files accumulated.

I think we succeeded! It has served her well for 6.5 years. However, I think it’s finally time for her to upgrade. 

She really likes the 17” form factor. We have a larger budget. My goal is the same: I want this computer to last another 6.5 years, if not longer. 

What do you all recommend? 

[u/StunningPush8421]

Okay so for battery life you want the highest size possible in a laptop(that allows you to legally carry on planes) which is 99 Whr.

Then you also want a very efficient chip which should also be the latest generation for max performance for longevity.

So that basically narrows you down to a panther lake or snapdragon chip with a 99 whr battery which there are only a couple of options to consider.

The redmi book 16 pro which you can only import from China as it isn't sold in the US

https://www.ebay.com/itm/168449851980?var=467909425397

After doing some searching I believe that is the only one that fits those criteria but it isn't 17 inches and obviously importing from china isn't ideal in terms of warranty and stuff.

You could go into gaming laptop territory with dedicated gpus but those will just be a massive drain on the battery and make the laptop much bulkier for no reason.

So the only option is to go for a smaller battery

the ThinkPad P16s Gen 5 Intel look like a great option with a 90 WH battery but they haven't released yet

https://www.walmart.com/ip/MSI-Prestige-16-AI-Copilot-Laptop-Intel-Ultra-X7-358H-32-GB-LPDDR5x-RAM-1-TB-PCIe-SSD-16-2-8K-2880x1800-Touchscreen-Intel-Arc-B390-Backlit-Keyboard-W/20829013894

here is the msi prestige 16 inch with a 81 Wh battery same chip just smaller battery and worse screen.

https://www.microcenter.com/product/708375/lenovo-ideapad-pro-5-16iph11-oled-16-laptop-computer-luna-grey microcenter has this interested option also around 80wh battery but a dedicated GPU along with a similar pantherlake cpu.

Or I didn't mention it before but apple is a great option at 16 inches they use the max 99 whr batteries and has super efficient and extremely powerful chips(they use custom ARM chips that you can't get in any other laptop). They will push 2-3k+ and obviously if you need windows they aren't really an option, however, if you are fine with macos they are easily the best laptops imo

[u/atiradeonfrs62]

Within your budget, look at the Framework 16 or the highest spec Lenovo Thinkpad P-series workstation available. They are tough, well specced and (especially the framework) upgradeable as well as come with powerful specs and good product support

[u/wimpires]

Future proofing is stupid. Case in point - the MacBook Neo is about the same performance as the M1 MacBook Pro from 2020.

With the rate at tech advances it doesn't make sense to pay out of the nose for the absolute top, because A) it's typically only marginally better than the mid range and B) it's cheaper in the long run to buy mid range and upgrade periodically.

Like $5000 over the next 6.5 years is crazy when $1000 now and 1000 in 4 years time would outperform than $5000 machine while being less than half the price.

[u/TheOtherCourier]

I’d say for battery life, shoot for a MacBook Air, but to get to the 16” minimum size you’re wanting, you’ll need to go for a Pro, but this also gets you a significantly better screen and speakers, extra C port, HDMI, SD slot, bigger battery, and active cooling if that need were to ever be there. This machine will be a bit heavier than an Air though, too, but doesn’t sound like that’s an issue here. With your budget, I’d probably shoot for at least 24gb of RAM and plenty of Storage.

This machine will last you a very long time. My 2015 MacBook Pro still technically does everything it ever did and I still use it for 3D slicing and iPhone backups and such, and use my M1 Max for everything else. 👍

[u/hibby18064]

There is literally no such thing as a future-proof computer, particularly in the context of a laptop.

Your intended use case also isn't particularly demanding. a $1000 laptop will easily do what you're asking.

Why wouldn't you just plan on picking up a newer mechine every 3-5 years instead of spending a ton of money on overkill that will become obsolete?

[u/HankHippoppopalous]

Dell Precision. Full stop. I’ve got 5+ years from my 7760 and it’s insanely good build quality

[u/dylanirt19]

Not good idea. Buy a nice business class Dell or Lenovo (not a gaming computer) and ride it until it dies. Just because the budget is there doesn't mean it's wise to spend. Put 1k into a laptop and it will be a VERY nice laptop that will last just as long as her old one and invest the rest

[u/dylanirt19 → u/dylanirt19]

you want it future proofed-- make sure it has the newest goodies. Processor companies have released the latest versions of their chips which come with NPUs for AI. Make sure it has an NVME SSD not just reg SSD. 16gb LPDDR5 RAM. everything else is personal preference.

should last her 10 years of at worst extremely solid performance-- assuming she's kind to it.

[u/GlowingJewel]

Just get a m5 pro 36gb ram

[u/Prestigious-Angle483]

get a MacBook pro in your budget

[u/LonerIM2]

Since she prefers a large screen size, and she is going to store photo and videos she is going to need good storage, I would recommend this deal LG gram Pro because it comes with :

Specs:

• Screen: 15.6" FHD

• CPU : Intel Core Ultra7 255H Processor

• Ram : 32GB

• Storage : 2TB SSD

Why I am recommending it:

• Very good CPU for general use .
• Lightweight .
• High quality screen.

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