21-30k Light weight laptop for basic use. Cheaper the better EDIT: Bought Lenovo S400

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raksrules

raksrules

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Have not firmly decided whether I will buy or not but looking for a light weight laptop for my dad. Under 1.8 kg weight preferred. His use is very basic so config is not a priority at all. Cheaper the better.

Sorry but since I am using iPad I am unable to use the standard template but will try to update later.
 
I recommend Asus F201E as long as 11.6" is OK. It is only 1.3 kg, costs about Rs. 22k. It is better built and has a better display than some so called ultrabooks twice the price. Sandy Bridge Celeron ULV but it is fast enough for regular office usage.
 
you can get a core i3 powered thinkpad x220/x230 for that much - 6 cell battery with 6-8 hours of battery life. you can get it from ebay us or through someone coming from the us. the x220 weighs around 1.6 kg.
 
How is the Lenovo S400, it is 14" and as per flipkart it is 1.8 Kgs

Here is the link.. http://www.flipkart.com/lenovo-idea...4ZHB&ref=bec83513-6b15-4c12-bb0a-bf1f3b47be0f

As i said before, config is the last thing i am concerned about. It is weight which is of prime importance. Anyone has any idea if the power brick of this laptop is like huge or small ? I know some requirements might seem dumb but it matters more to my dad who has to lug the laptop in his bag in Mumbai locals.

Is there any place in Mumbai / Pune i can actually see this S400 laptop or if anyone has it and give some advice.
 
I saw the S300 and s400 at Croma. (I think the one in Juhu). They are thin and feel pretty light. Construction also seems fine. Didn't check out anything else on them as the specs weren't what I was looking for. I don't think the power brick will be big.
 
Ok i will check in chroma as well. Because i am not interested in spending like 40K+ to buy a ultrabook and most will be 13.3" which is ok but a 14" will be anytime better for my dad. Smaller will be problem for his eyes. Will visit chroma and reliance digital in Pune near my home too.
 
Just a FYI, would advice to check the seals when purchasing from Croma. They gave a display piece and claimed that it was sealed. Then they offered me a discount of 5% for taking the display piece. Left a bad taste and will avoid Croma.
 
They tried that stunt with me once too. Though the discount was a mere 2%. He was like "sir brand new piece hai...just on display for 20 days"...
 
Ok so i was going to Borivali station for some other work and noticed there is a Lenovo outlet there. Went inside and looked at the S400. I must say it is pretty light and looked like a ultrabook. If my dad gives a go ahead i will buy from online mostly ebay as i find it cheapest there. FK is also there but like 1.5K pricier. At lenovo outlet it was 32000 Rs but that was i3 processor while the ebay/FK one is dual core B987 processor but as i mentioned the proccy does not matter.
But yes for the price point this is a good option for us.
It comes without OS so i will have to install windows 7 and finding drivers shouldn't be an issue i believe.
I have to just confirm using my own existing laptop and see if his apps work properly on windows 7 or not since he uses windows XP in existing machine. I remember facing some problem with Tally before.
Once i am confirmed about everything and if his current laptop is irreparable then we shall buy the S400 one.
 
raksrules said:
Ok so i was going to Borivali station for some other work and noticed there is a Lenovo outlet there. Went inside and looked at the S400. I must say it is pretty light and looked like a ultrabook. If my dad gives a go ahead i will buy from online mostly ebay as i find it cheapest there. FK is also there but like 1.5K pricier. At lenovo outlet it was 32000 Rs but that was i3 processor while the ebay/FK one is dual core B987 processor but as i mentioned the proccy does not matter.
But yes for the price point this is a good option for us.
It comes without OS so i will have to install windows 7 and finding drivers shouldn't be an issue i believe.
I have to just confirm using my own existing laptop and see if his apps work properly on windows 7 or not since he uses windows XP in existing machine. I remember facing some problem with Tally before.
Once i am confirmed about everything and if his current laptop is irreparable then we shall buy the S400 one.
Click to expand...

do check out croma also.I found them pretty competitively priced even compared to ebay.

My sister picked up a Lenovo S300 one from Pune Croma outlet for 25k along with a external dvd writer free. Pentium B987/2gb ram/500gb hdd/win 8.

I understand probably Win 8 is not what is desired, but it can be a option if win 7 is what you are going to install. Will run a bit better on the same hardware.
 
@bitsandpieces

Yes the lenovo store guy also offered the external DVD writer and claimed that it cost 3000 Rs which i am pretty sure it wasn't.
I will check croma in Pune near my home as well. And yes windows 8 would freak my dad out and he won't understand anything. So i can install windows 7 over that fine right ?
 
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raksrules said:
@bitsandpieces

Yes the lenovo store guy also offered the external DVD writer and claimed that it cost 3000 Rs which i am pretty sure it wasn't.
I will check croma in Pune near my home as well. And yes windows 8 would freak my dad out and he won't understand anything. So i can install windows 7 over that fine right ?
Click to expand...

Croma says it costs 1k (Buffalo branded). Bought from Ishanya Mall croma ( need to confirm though). Initially they might not offer the dvd free, but ask for freebies, they relent.

I would say just replace the start menu and disable metro ui. if that doesnt work, then well, you might as well considering installing win 7. I havent remotely tried replacing win7 on a preinstalled win7 machine so cant comment.[DOUBLEPOST=1365819469][/DOUBLEPOST]the main advantage of buying from croma is that you will be able to buy a additional warranty @ around 2.5k for 2 years extra.
 
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Guys we are mostly finalizing this laptop, seems not available on lenovo website anymore as they seem to have new models with windows 8 which i dont want.

http://www.flipkart.com/lenovo-idea...s400&ref=3a5ecc6e-7e39-4fe0-b86e-79a774aca2d5

Is this the best price i can get or there are any other options with better pricing ? I know this does not come with OS so i will need to install windows 7 right ? Should not be difficult using a USB stick ?
What does these no OS laptops log into when they come out of box ? Confused about this part.
 
They come with FreeDOS usually. Dell, I believe, comes with some form of Linux.

If you plan to get it from FK with the Citi 10% EMI scheme, then go for it. However, do check with them first.

Yes, installing 7 from a drive wont be difficult.[DOUBLEPOST=1375380161][/DOUBLEPOST]However, this might have the RAM soldered - not sure. JFYI.
 
vivek.krishnan said:
They come with FreeDOS usually. Dell, I believe, comes with some form of Linux.

If you plan to get it from FK with the Citi 10% EMI scheme, then go for it. However, do check with them first.

Yes, installing 7 from a drive wont be difficult.[DOUBLEPOST=1375380161][/DOUBLEPOST]However, this might have the RAM soldered - not sure. JFYI.
Click to expand...

There is a very high probability that the local Lenovo shop and others might have the newer windows 8 models (S405 i think) and that is not what i want. So as of today, FK seems to be best deal for me and i shall order it next week. Ebay is there but i don't really trust ebay with high price items.
So with FK, do i have any chance of any price reduction through discounts. I have ICICI Credit card only. EMI is not really enticing, i am ok paying entire amount together.

Also as specified, the laptop is for my dad and he uses some society accounts program, tally and solatire and ocassional (once a month may be) internet email check. So i am going for the cheapest model.
Top priority are: Weight + Screen (min 14" or more) + price in that order.

Shall call the Lenovo outlet in Borivali, Mumbai and ask whether they have the S400 in stock and what is the price for the base model. Last checked (few months back) they had the one with windows and i3 for 30k something.
 
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I have couple of laptops at home and one of them is an Acer with Win8. It looks exactly like that S400. It's designed with tapered edges to look like an ultrabook and is very light.

However, I'd suggest you to check out the trackpad of S400 once again. It's a single piece, multifunction device but very cumbersome to use. You need to be very still while left/right clicking an icon or selecting some text because the pointer moves if you are not careful. After newness of the device wears off, it becomes very annoying to use this cheap trackpad. I am hoping that S400's trackpad is not so great as my Acer's as both are low priced regular Pentium laptops. Mine was 31K.
 
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