New Laptop for Teacher

pmsmith2032

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Nov 28, 2016
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I am looking to buy a new laptop for my wife. She will be using it for teaching (7th grade....language arts). She won't be gaming on it. What is a good brand/model under $800 for her? I think some manufacturers offer educator discounts? Thanks!
 

GreyCatz

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A few questions:
1. Will your wife be using the laptop as a "personal" device?
Or,
2. Will she be using the laptop as an active part of teaching?

Re 1: What I mean is productivity/planning/writing reports etc.
Re 2: What I mean is showing video clips, connecting to external monitors/speakers etc.

Regardless of the above, I would highly recommend that you prioritize weight and an IPS screen. Also, as many USB and other ports as possible.
 
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pmsmith2032

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Nov 28, 2016
14
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4,510
Thanks! My wife will be using the laptop mainly for planning and creating lesson plans. She will be issued a laptop by the school that she will be using as an active part of teaching.
 

GreyCatz

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In that case, $800 will get you a host of new and capable machines - and tons of older, refurbished business laptops.

Here's a Dell from BestBuy, priced at $799:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/dell-i...olid-state-drive-blue/6458907.p?skuId=6458907

Highlights include a 1080p IPS screen and an HDMI port. At 3.3lbs it is a bit heavy, and battery life was tested by TechRadar in October last year to be around 9 hours (a similar device, but not identical):
https://www.techradar.com/reviews/dell-inspiron-14-7000

Between frequent Windows 10 feature updates and all manner of productivity documents, the 256GB SSD is bound to fill up within 2 to 3 years, but external HDDs are pretty inexpensive these days.

Also, depending on your wife's taste this Dell may come across as either discreet and elegant or bland and boring.

And here's a rather different interpretation of the same 2-in-1 concept, from Lenovo's web site:
https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/yoga/yoga-2-in-1-series/Yoga-6/p/88YGC601532

At $850 it is more expensive but it does offer twice the SSD size and double the battery life. Even if 18 hours is a purely theoretical number, your wife should be able to get 14 to 15 hours from this Yoga. At 2.9lbs it is also lighter. But the Yoga does not include an HDMI port.

Apparently there is some teacher discount involved with this device, but I can't verify that myself as it requires an ID.me login.

This Yoga is, of course, quite a departure from the Dell above in terms of styling - that textile cover will make your wife the centre of attraction in any social and professional setting.

Best of luck to both of you,
GreyCatz.