My Son Needs a New Laptop

Linus Tech Tips

1,596,989 views • 2 days ago Save 14 min 5 min read

Video Summary

A teenager navigates the complex world of laptop shopping, aiming for a device that can handle 50 browser tabs and avoid the lag of his old Chromebook. His initial research, filled with technical jargon like "gigahertz," "P-cores," and "E-cores," reveals a desire for 16GB of RAM, a 4-5GHz processor, and at least 512GB of storage. The process takes an unexpected turn when he's tasked with making the decision himself, moving beyond his father's usual research and purchase.

Exploring various options, from high-end gaming rigs to ultra-light ultrabooks, the teen grapples with trade-offs in weight, battery life, and compatibility. He dismisses expensive Apple MacBooks due to their price and lack of ecosystem benefits, and reconsiders Lenovo after a past negative experience. Ultimately, he lands on a Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge, a 16-inch AMOLED model with 16GB of RAM, praised for its reasonable price and suitability for schoolwork, despite initial skepticism about Samsung's laptop offerings.

Short Highlights

Laptop Requirements:
- Handle 50+ browser tabs without lag.
- At least 16GB of RAM.
- Processor with 4-8 cores and 4-5GHz speed.
- Minimum 512GB of storage.
- Under 5 pounds (though this proves challenging).
- Touchscreen and 120Hz refresh rate desired.
- Avoids Apple due to high cost and ecosystem lock-in.
Research Process:
- Teenager independently researches specs like gigahertz, P-cores, E-cores, and RAM purpose.
- Initial confusion over technical terms resolved through research.
- Considers specific models like Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x Snapdragon and ThinkBook 16.
- Explores a high-end Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 as a reference point.
- Evaluates Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge as a strong contender.
Key Considerations:
- Weight: Five pounds is heavier than anticipated.
- Compatibility: Snapdragon processors may limit Windows app functionality.
- Build Quality: Prefers aluminum over plastic/aluminum builds.
- Screen Size: Desires a larger screen than his old 13.3-inch model.
- Battery Life: Needs to last a full school day.
- Ports: Only requires a charging port.
- Trackpad: Dislikes trackpads and prefers touchscreens.
Final Choice:
- Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge (16-inch AMOLED model).
- Selected for its reasonable price, 16GB RAM, and suitability for school.

Key Details

Damaged Laptop, New Responsibility [0:00]

A father questions his son about a severely damaged laptop, which the son admits to dropping. The damage includes a bent frame, missing screw, and cracked screen. The father declares it's time for a new laptop, but this time, the son is responsible for the research and purchase.

"what did you do to this i mean i've had this for five years i didn't ask how long you had it i asked what you did to it"

Teen's Research Begins: Specs and Ambitions [1:07]

The son presents his initial research, which includes understanding technical terms like gigahertz, P-cores, E-cores, and the purpose of RAM. He aims for a laptop capable of running 50 browser tabs simultaneously without lag, a significant upgrade from his old Chromebook which crashed with fewer tabs. He targets 16GB of RAM, a 4-8 core processor, 4-5GHz speed, and at least 512GB of storage.

"i want a chip that is able to actually run like 50 tabs at a time 50. well yeah if i have five sub them's rookie numbers vram drop oh no"

Apple's Pricey Proposition [3:20]

During the research, the son considered Apple MacBooks but found them too expensive, especially since he doesn't have other Apple devices to leverage the ecosystem benefits. He notes that even the MacBook Air with 8GB RAM is nearly $1000, and prices have generally increased.

"i was thinking about it but no it's so expensive and the main benefit of all your devices being connected to each other i don't even get that since i don't have other apple devices"

The Weight of a Laptop [6:05]

To help the son understand laptop weight, they visit the inventory at the lab. He initially dismisses five pounds as insignificant, comparing it to a fraction of his own weight. However, upon handling a 4.73-pound machine, he realizes how substantial it feels, questioning if a "five-pound laptop" is actually a "mondo like gaming machine grade laptop."

"five pounds is like one twentieth one thirtieth of my weight okay let's find a five pound machine then oh my goodness let's see this is is that really what you want"

Gaming vs. Schoolwork Trade-offs [7:30]

The discussion turns to gaming capabilities. While the son has a PC at home for gaming, he acknowledges wanting a laptop that can at least run games. He also considers ultra-light laptops like older LG Grams, but notes their trade-offs in battery life and potential durability issues.

"at least but i do have my pc at home so i can just come home and play games that is such a good answer love it gold star"

Exploring Specific Models: Lenovo and Asus [11:00]

The son presents his top choices: the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x Snapdragon, noting its potential compatibility issues with some Windows apps, and a gaming-oriented laptop with a dedicated GPU. He also considers the ThinkBook 16, which offers more cores than the IdeaPad and a slightly higher price point.

"this one also doesn't have a gigantic battery 54.7 watt hours is on the low side which is part of why this one is at a more reasonable price"

The Final Decision: Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge [17:00]

After reviewing several options, including a high-end Asus laptop and a peculiar Spectre Fold, the son settles on the Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge. He is impressed by its 16-inch AMOLED screen, 120Hz refresh rate, touchscreen, and reasonable price (around $1000 CAD), fitting all his requirements and making it his final choice for back-to-school.