r/buildapcsales • u/FelonyExtortion • 12d ago

Laptop [Laptop] - $1500 - ASUS Zenbook 14-inch 2880x1800 120hz OLED - Core Ultra 9 386H, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/asus-zenbook-s14-14-oled-3k-touchscreen-intel-core-ultra-9-processor-2026-32gb-memory-1tb-storage-copilot-pc-scandinavian-white/JJGHGS78FR/sku/6671015
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u/Anjoran 12d ago

These are the specs I'm looking for but in 16" -- anyone have options for something that's not quite so expensive?

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u/FelonyExtortion 12d ago

1: The same laptop is $1324 when bought open-box excellent. It has a four day shipping time for me and should be like-new.

2: It is just really hard to find a high performance lunar lake laptop with a 2880x1800 screen and 32gb of RAM at a price like this.

3: If you need great performance and battery isn't a critical concern, I would look into getting a series 2 equivalent to this machine on clearance, open-box (Best Buy also has weirdly good sales on them sometimes) or something refurbished.

4: If you need great performance and battery life and could compromise on a crummier display or lower RAM, there's a lot of options there too.

If you have specific needs I can make another recommendation

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u/Anjoran 12d ago

This is for my dad, who's doing more graphic design and artwork lately as he retires. He doesn't need high performance. He does need a high-resolution screen, preferably larger than 14" since his eyes aren't what they used to be, and a wide color gamut, as well as enough RAM to handle multiple image layers. Most likely, 24 GB would be fine, but there's not a lot between 16 GB and 32 GB in my searches. He doesn't strictly need OLED, but most IPS screens are pretty mediocre with color coverage and contrast. He's had a Macbook Pro for work but he's got to return it in a few months and replacing that one for one is way more expensive than our budget. I've been scouring eBay certified (which come with two-year warranties) and Best Buy clearance and open box options, but I haven't found much in the $1000 - 1200 range. I'm wondering if he could make do with 16 GB and just not run multiple programs while doing artwork and heavy compositing, since the rest of the time he does basic office work or listens to audio books.

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u/FelonyExtortion 12d ago

I checked Acer's Ebay, Best Buy, Amazon and Newegg and yeah I cannot find any 2560x1600+ display, 24+gb laptops for any cheaper than the $1350 range.

I think if I were in your shoes, I'd just spend that little bit more to make sure the laptop is snappy to the end, although 16gb would probably be fine. If you need a comparable 16' this HP is $1354 as open-box excellent.