JOI Classmate 30 Flash Review: A Fundamentally Solid Laptop That Won’t Break the Bank
Budget laptops are more than just ‘cheap’ laptops. For many, sub-RM1K laptops serve as a gateway to education and a means of closing the gap between the well-off and those who don’t share the same privilege.
It’s a painful reality to chew, but AI-driven laptops with their cutting-edge chipsets have inflated prices beyond proportion, making them out of reach for many.
Thankfully, the JOI Classmate 30 still exists, and it just might be the laptop that fulfills both budget and academic needs.
Pros
Fundamental performance
The Classmate 30 is primarily catered to young students in their primary academic years. As such, it’s not the most high-tech, but it is fundamentally sound. A laptop priced at just RM899 will never feature the latest ultra processors on the market, but its trusty Intel Core i3-1005G1 engine is more than enough to power through late-night writing assignments, slide creation, and web browsing.
Gaming, admittedly, will stretch its capabilities. But as we’ve said, in terms of core academic needs – it ticks most boxes comfortably.
Moreover, it packs a 4,000mAh battery that can last up to 6 hours without needing a plug. However, battery anxiety might start to set in by the fifth hour. Nevertheless, those 5-6 hours of juice will come in handy during frantic homework pushes in the library.
Comprehensive array of ports
One crucial feature of the Classmate 30 is its full array of ports. There are three USB Type-A ports (one USB 2.0 and two USB 3.2 Gen 1), one HDMI port, one VGA port, one RJ45 port, and even a microSD card reader.
The three USB-A ports ensure you have enough slots for peripherals such as a mouse and thumb drives, while the HDMI and VGA ports will come in handy for presentations and connecting to second displays for extra screen real estate.
Additionally, and perhaps somewhat underrated, is the Kensington lock slot, which allows you to fasten the Classmate 30 to your desk. A Kensington lock should be one of your main considerations if you or your child often work or study alone. This way, you can take a brief break knowing your laptop is safe.
Despite being a sub-RM1K laptop, the Classmate 30 offers a comprehensive port array suitable for the classroom experience.
Solid Build and resistance
Build-wise, the Classmate 30 is undoubtedly a tough nut. It sports a rugged exterior with a matte chassis that gives it a sturdy feel. Overall, it’s a well-built laptop that doesn’t feel cheap in any way. Admittedly, it is quite heavy at 1.74kg, and you’ll definitely feel it on your shoulders over long periods, especially if you’re carrying it around all day.
I do feel this is a worthy trade-off, considering that it will see you or your child through years of education and work. After all, it’s still better than lugging around those heavy piles of textbooks I had to carry during my school days.
A great plus is its water resistance, which we foresee will be a vital protective feature for clumsy, carefree hands. The laptop can withstand moisture and spills of up to 100ml. It will survive light drizzle or a splash of water, but it’s definitely not the type you’d want to risk submerging (for whatever reason that might happen).
JOI Classmate 30: Should you buy?
Considering its extremely accessible price tag, there’s hardly anything to complain about with the Classmate 30. It’s free from all the AI bells and whistles, which, in my opinion, have already matured to a point where they’re not really necessary yet. A little personal opinion: kids shouldn’t spend too much time around AI anyway, as it risks outsourcing too much of their thinking and limits the challenge to their own capabilities.
The JOI Classmate 30 is a reliable gateway to education for young children and even budget-conscious college students.
For its accessibility to the masses, and its ability to cover the core fundamentals of the learning journey, the JOI Classmate 30 earns straight A’s in our book, and is definitely a worthwhile investment that won’t you in crippling financial debt.
PriceShop Rating
Best Giler!
✅ Fundamental performance with decent processor and battery life
✅ Full array of ports useful for classroom connectivity
✅ Solid built, matted finish, with 100ml water resistance
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