Last time, I wrote an article titled “Laptop Buying Guide”.
Considering the cost-effectiveness, the laptops recommended in that article were all above 4000 Yuan.
At that time, I guessed that some friends might be interested in laptops under 4000 Yuan, so I did some statistics.
Unexpectedly, there were over 3000 likes…
It seems everyone likes things that are cheap and practical.
Since you are so enthusiastic, today I will fulfill your wishes.
First, it must be clear that you get what you pay for when it comes to laptops.
The reason I recommended laptops over 4000 Yuan last time is that there are more types of laptops available at this price point, whether you are pursuing a lightweight ultrabook or a performance-oriented gaming laptop, you can ensure quality and performance while maintaining your advantages.
However, for laptops under 4000 Yuan…
If you remove the costs of genuine Windows, Office licenses, and brand premiums, how much money is actually spent on hardware?
Considering four years of use in college, if you can afford it, you should try to spend an additional 1000 Yuan to choose a mainstream configuration.（Click here to see mainstream laptop recommendations）
If you are really on a tight budget and just want to buy a computer, I would recommend:
Windows assembled computer + monitor / Mac mini + monitor
Building a desktop is not only cheaper but also performs better and is more user-friendly.
Separating the monitor and the main unit allows for more flexible allocation of funds.
If you often play LOL, invest more in the main unit.
If you are a girl who often watches dramas, occasionally goes online, and writes documents, just buy a good monitor.
Now, the AOC 31.5-inch curved monitor is only 1299 Yuan.
The point is, a larger laptop screen is only 15.6 inches, while the 31.5-inch monitor has a display area that is four times that of a laptop.
That feeling, only those who use it know.
After deducting the 1300 Yuan for the monitor, the remaining 2700 Yuan is enough to build a decent main unit, and the entire setup may not even exceed 4000 Yuan.
The only downside of a desktop is that it is not very convenient to move during holidays.
If you care about this, I have to recommend the Mac mini to everyone.
In everyone’s impression, Apple’s computers are often expensive, but the Mac mini is an exception.
(The prices of Mac mini on various platforms are for reference only)
For only 3000 Yuan, you can experience the ease and beauty of the Apple system.
Surfing the internet, watching dramas, chatting on WeChat, the Mac mini is completely sufficient, and it’s also easy to carry.
Of course, if you insist on buying a laptop under 4000 Yuan, then keep reading:
Acer墨舞 TX420 （3999 Yuan / 14 inches）
3999 Yuan is actually just 4000 Yuan…
Teacher Luo once said that not wanting to earn that 1 Yuan makes a company look very stingy.
But because of that 1 Yuan, this computer made the list…
First, in terms of configuration, the墨舞 TX420 uses the latest Intel 8th generation i5-8250U processor.
On paper, the 8th generation i5 outperforms the 7th generation i7, showing very strong performance.
As for gaming, it uses the MX130, which is roughly equivalent to the 940M, and can easily handle LOL and Need for Speed 18.
All necessary ports are included.
On the D side, the TX 420 has a small hatch that allows for easy memory and hard drive upgrades without opening the back cover.
However, the problem lies here, the standard configuration of 3999 Yuan only includes 128GB SSD and 4GB of memory.
This combination is not sufficient for daily use, and if you upgrade the memory and hard drive to a mainstream 256GB + 8GB, the actual expenditure will be around 4500 Yuan.
Strictly speaking, this laptop is more like an “emergency laptop”, and you can upgrade the configuration later when you have more money, and the performance of the computer will be fully released.
Shenzhou 战神 K650D-G4D2 upgraded version (3399 Yuan / 15.6 inches)
At the price point of 3000 Yuan, it is the domain of Shenzhou.
At around 3500 Yuan, it must be the K650D, the best performance, no exceptions.
The K650D uses a desktop-level G4560 processor, which is weaker than the 8th generation low-voltage i5 but stronger than the 7th generation low-voltage i5, and significantly better than the i5-4210M used in mainstream gaming laptops two years ago.
So CPU performance is okay.
(Performance ladder chart)
The GPU is the highlight of this computer; although it is priced just over 3000 Yuan, it uses the MX150, which is better than the 3999 model I just recommended.
The GPU performance has improved by about 40%
In simple terms, this thing is a mini host with its own screen.
Desktop-level CPU means battery life won’t be good.
Weighing over 2.5 kg, unless you have muscles, you won’t be able to carry it.
Everyone knows the craftsmanship of Shenzhou.
It has its own screen and battery, which may be its only advantage over a desktop.
If you choose this one, remember to upgrade the memory and solid-state drive. It can last for another two years.
Xiaomi Air (3599 Yuan / 12.5 inches)
Among Xiaomi laptops, I only recommend this one.
Although it, like other Xiaomi laptops, lacks cost-effectiveness, its shell craftsmanship is excellent and looks comfortable.
In terms of performance, I won’t elaborate. Just remember that it can only be used for writing documents, chatting on QQ, browsing the internet (don’t open too many web pages), and watching dramas.
Let’s focus on its exquisite shell.
5.71 mm narrow bezel screen.
Glass covering the entire B side.
ACD three-sided sturdy metal body.
It looks like it has an Apple flavor.
11.5 hours official battery life.
12.9 mm thickness.
1.07 kg weight.
Standard ultrabook specifications.
With these parameters combined, I can see a small, sophisticated woman who loves to go to libraries and cafes.
For them, performance is secondary, and appearance is the most important.
However, before taking pictures to post on social media, you might want to buy a touch-up pen from my store to cover the MI logo at the bottom of the screen.
After all, it’s not a real Apple, right?
Shenzhou 优雅 XS-3000S1 (2399 Yuan / 14 inches)
You can buy a laptop for 2000 Yuan.
Solid-state drive and full HD IPS screen are all included.
Only Shenzhou can achieve this.
At this price point, I can’t say that it won’t lag when browsing the internet.
I can only say that if you must buy a laptop at this price point, this one is the best.
Summary
Careful friends may have noticed that my recommendations this time jump directly from 3400 to 2400, with a 1000 Yuan gap in between.
The reason is simple.
Currently, the price of complete machines with the 8th generation low-voltage i5 has been maintained at around 3800 Yuan. If the price drops by 300 Yuan, only the 7th generation low-voltage i5 is available.
However, if you pursue performance, the Shenzhou K650D’s CPU and GPU are both better than those equipped with the 7th generation low-voltage i5.
This means that the 7th generation low-voltage i5 has no purchasing value now.
At the same time, most laptops in the 2000 – 3000 price range use processors like N3450/3160.
These N-series processors are actually just upgraded versions of the previous Intel Atom processors.
Atom was originally used for netbooks, in other words, laptops with N-series processors are more like large-screen netbooks.
Such laptops have no cost-effectiveness at all. Naturally, we skip them.
Recently, it’s back-to-school season, and I guess there will be many unscrupulous merchants selling “large netbooks” at computer cities and school gates.
I hope all friends do not fall for the seller’s tricks and buy such things just for a cheap price.
Of course, if you have any other laptops you want to buy, you can check out the new mini program I created.
I have collected some reviews of popular laptops, along with summaries of their pros and cons and prices.
Since it has just launched, it might not be complete yet, so if there is a laptop you are interested in, feel free to let me know in the comments, and I will improve it as soon as possible.
👇Today, I also have these exciting articles👇
If you want to see recommendations for cheap and sufficient desktop computers, please like👇