Reddit mentions of ASUS ZenBook 13 Ultra-Slim Laptop 13.3" FHD Display, Intel 8th gen Core i5-8250U, 8GB RAM, 256GB M.2 SSD, Win10, Backlit KB, FP, Icicle Gold, UX331UA-AS51

1. A Mac isn't necessary. If you needed bash, you can install something like git bash for windows. Powershell is probably going to be good enough. I don't think the program involves anything that works a lot easier on a Mac.
   
   
2. 8 gigs is probably enough, but if you can spring for 16, that would make the computer last a bit longer hopefully.
   
   
3. The SSD depends on if you need to have a bunch of big files on the same drive. If you're really just using it for school, the 256 is enough and if you need more storage space you can get an external HDD for cheap.
   
   For work I was given the choice between a Macbook or a windows alternative of the same/lower price. I settled on an Asus Zenbook like this one which has been great. Super light, holds a good charge, the hardware is decent, and it cost a fair amount less than the Macbook.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/ZenBook-Ultra-Slim-Display-i5-8250U-UX331UA-AS51/dp/B07FW7D635/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1Z04FPO0ZDR18&keywords=zenbook&qid=1550943768&s=gateway&sprefix=zenboo%2Caps%2C281&sr=8-3
   
   The amazon reviews don't make it out to be a great choice, so don't feel like this is my endorsement specifically for this one, more just an example of what you can get for the money when you don't have to go for a Mac.
   
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Hi,

Currently the ASUS Zenbook UX331UA is on sale by $100, it is a great fit for you according to your specifications. The laptop has an i5-8250U processor, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB SSD storage, and 1080p 13.3" display. The laptop has a clean design, and looks decently minimalist. The laptop weighs 2.5lbs, so portability shouldn't be a problem. The laptop is graet for photo editing because the display has decent color accuracy. Light video editing should be fine, same with music production.

The build quality is decent since it has a durable aluminum chassis. Only 256 GB of storage, but you can consider a 1 TB external hard drive if you need more storage in the future.

If you want to play games well without long and without the laptop turning into a frying pan you might want to increase the size of the laptop. I would suggest the Acer Swift 3 but it has a 14" screen. It has a MX150 graphics card which is able of running the games you listed easily. Another laptop to look at is the Asus Zenbook which has a 13" screen but it uses an integrated card (which is fine for your current games)

I bought a refurbished Asus ZenBook for $600. I use it for work and it's great. I bought the refurbished one from Mastertronics. Lenovo are also great, but I really like my ZenBook. It came with a scratch on it, but other than that, it was in perfect condition.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07FW7D635/ref=olp_twister_child?ie=UTF8&mv_style_name=0

Thanks so much for looking. I actually did see that Zenbook and was a little concerned with the number of 1-star reviews: https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B07FW7D635/ref=acr_offerlistingpage_hist_1?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=one_star&showViewpoints=0

Should I not be?

Hey,

I was a little bit skeptical that an option for you would be doable in this budget but I found this refurbished Asus ZenBook 13 UX331 for 599$ here. I think it checks all your requirements: it's under 3.75 lbs, has a backlit keyboard, display with good color coverage: 16.7M colors, 100% sRGB, SSD and over 9H battery life.

If you don't like my recommendation, maybe you can use our search engine in order to find something more suitable for your needs.

You can see and change the search parameters using the "Refine results" button in the upper-left part of the search results page. You can also click on the laptops for more information.

Hope I helped!

Hey! I am shopping for the same! and the same budget as you. My pics so far, I'm recommending the Matebook and Matebook X over the Dell XPS ( the base model which is about 800$ is better on the huawei over the dell )

900$:-

https://consumer.huawei.com/en/laptops/matebook-13/

1200:-

https://consumer.huawei.com/us/tablets/matebook-x-pro/

Also to add, my needs are the same as yours and I have a gaming desktop as well. So would probably look at craigslist around my place and get something for the moment under 500$.


600$:-

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FW7D635/ref=dp_cr_wdg_tit_nw_mr

If your willing to stretch your budget a little there is the new version of the Zenbook 13 for $700. https://www.amazon.com/ZenBook-Ultra-Slim-Display-i5-8250U-UX331UA-AS51/dp/B07FW7D635/ref=pd_ybh_a_58?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=504SZQPVM3BB5HM3N521. I got this for my sister in college and she loves it,

Ooh ok, so you want something more gaming oriented then ? :P (JK), I would agree with legos, this is possibly your best option

Can you pay a little more ? If you could, this ASUS ZenBook 13 would be an awesome pick. Performance wise, build quality and of course, the portability you need.

thanks for all the input everyone! Acer Swift 3 sounds awesome, but after looking around other places, I'm kinda wondering about how it stacks up to Lenovo Yoga 730 or the Asus Zenbook 13. Does anyone have experience with these computers or have heard anything about them?
Lenovo Yoga 730: https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/yoga/700-series/Yoga-730-13-/p/88YG7000964
Zenbook 13: https://www.amazon.com/ZenBook-Ultra-Slim-Display-i5-8250U-UX331UA-AS51/dp/B07FW7D635?ref_=Oct_DLandingS_PC_c488f5c3_NA&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

For a good school laptop you should look for good battery life. The built in Intel UHD Graphics 620 should handle most games. I would be looking at the ASUS Zenbook 13 https://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Slim-i5-8250U-Processor-Fingerprint-UX330UA-AH55/dp/B07FW7D635/ref=sr_1_28?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1540433952&sr=1-28&keywords=lg%2Bgram&th=1

If you could spring 850 this is a really good options. I have a ton of friends with it and they do all of the stuff you are looking for. Dell also offers good customer support and Amazon does as well. If you really want to keep it under 800. This one is very similar for a bit cheaper but I don't like Asus as a brand as much as Dell. If you wanted to keep it even cheaper this could be a good option, but it doesn't bring as good form factor and won't be as quick because it has a HDD and not a SSD.

The Zenbook has a better screen of course but the build quality on the Acer Swift 3 is better .

What is more important to you ?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FW7D635

people said they ran linux on this no problems