Laptop suggestions for Y12

[LittleOgres]

Definitely time to get DS who is going in to Y12, so GCSEs this year, a laptop. Any suggestions?
He is doing moving images and says something Apple would be good as he films on his iPhone. I’m sure he would love the latest MacBook but as I haven’t won the lottery that isn’t an option.
Are reconditioned laptops worth it?

Yes, Apple laptops last for aaaaages and getting an older one is fine.

2015 is the best year to search for - in 2016 Apple moved to shitty keyboards on the MacBook Pro models and only in the last few months has stopped using them.

MacBook Airs of any year are also fine, but they have worse screens.

Following as will be looking for a laptop for my soon to be year 10 dd.

For non-Apple laptops, getting a refurb ex-business machine is the best plan by miles. Recently got one of my neighbours set up with a 2015 Thinkpad that was £1800 new, for £340.

Ex-business refurbers are a good source of Apple laptops too. I just check ebay or amazon and make sure the sellers get good reviews and the device comes with a warranty - usually 3-6 months, but you only really need to worry about dead-on-arrival.

I think the first thing to do is to be a bit more definite about what you want the laptop to do. Have you asked the school if they can give an idea of what is needed or whether they have any recommendations?

Once you know what capabilities you want and can set a budget there are huge numbers out there on eBay, Amazon and resellers' sites. As TheHighestSardine said, business class machines from Dell, HP and Lenovo tend to be tough as old boots, but as they usually end up in the hands of people who aren't paying with their own money they can often be trashed on the outside. The second hand industry has a Grades A to E system, where A is best, A, B and C are working, D is untested and E is for parts. Apple machines probably get a bit more tlc, but prices tend to be higher.

DD1 is also about to go into Y12 and is planning to take Computer Science as one of her A levels. She's managed the past two years on a Lynx 12x64, which is a Microsoft Surface clone that is around £200 new. I am also looking for something as I think I need some capabilities for work that work IT won't give me! (Large organisation, much bureaucracy, management that doesn't understand that simple Word and PowerPoint isn't enough any more!)

What's the budget? With an education discount the latest MacBook Air is £898 (they don't ask for student ID in an Apple store, just turn up with studenty looking offspring in tow). Used/refurbished ones or older models are a lot cheaper.

You don't have to pay extra for the software (unlike windows), and they last much longer and with fewer breakdowns and problems than Windows machines, in my experience. My last air was still going at 8 years old, though the battery life was getting much shorter.

If he is serious about the filming, I would definitely look at a MacBook (new or used) if at all possible.

He is only doing filming for GCSE, he wouldn’t be into it enough for a levels.
I didn’t realise you could discounts for students.
What I know about computers etc could literally be written on the back of a stamp.
Budget-£20??
But, I guess I was thinking below £500. But I would get the MAC with the discount I guess.
He is very, very careful of his stuff.