Need a new laptop and I'm not tech savvy. Looking for recommendations

[zulu01]

My 10+ year old laptop is showing signs it's going to die soon. I mainly use it for surfn the interwebz, paying bills and the like. Current machine is an HP but I have no brand allegiance when it comes to computers. Although this thing has lasted longer than I expected and was performing fairly well until recently.

My work computer is a Lenovo Thinkpad which seems okay. No major complaints with it.

Any major advantages or disadvantages to switching teams and going with a Mac? My wife uses a Mac but mainly because that's what her employer supplied. She seems to like it better than windows machines she's had though.

[Ah Pook]

I like Mac. I can sync all devices together and I troubleshoot problems easier.

The Mac Shack, in Boulder, sells refurbished laptops.

[O2HeN2]

If all you use is the interwebs, get a Chromebook, you don't need a Windows or Apple machine.

O2

[arbol]

Microcenter should be your go to for budget friendly options...

https://www.microcenter.com/search/search_results.aspx?N=4294967291&NTX=mode+MatchPartial&NTT=5206&NTK=Adv&sortby=pricelow

Don't get a MAC, they are overpriced, and underpowered, and run a limited selection of applications.

Don't get a Chromebook, it is underpowered, and runs a limited selection of applications.

Also make sure you need a laptop. Do you need it to be mobile? A desktop may be better for you, and they offer a lot more performance for the price.

-John

[ray1970]

Any Windows based PC you buy will be outdated before you can make the trip home from the store with it. It will also likely last somewhere between four and eight years ish before it starts acting stupid or just implodes.

I say buy whatever is cheap and if it lasts as long as your last one it?s money well spent.

For web browsing, bill paying, etc. I just use my phone.

[BushMasterBoy]

I am using a Dell Latitude Rugged 7424. I just upgraded to a Dell 5430 Latitude Rugged as a backup. It is smaller, lighter and has twice the RAM and hardrive. I got them at Dell Business Outlet. They are designed for extreme conditions and are built to meet military specifications. I don't worry about them being damaged too much when I travel. They come with a 3 year warranty. Kind of pricey, but you pay for a machine that will work in extreme conditions.

https://www.dell.com/en-us/dfh/lp/outlet?gacd=9695162-1021-5761040-266674531-0&dgc=st&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxeyxBhC7ARIsAC7dS38Me3MTFajUqyYYJSTB-LoiWUlcAAPjdYQKRBBl7_4MCtuTQZLTRwsaAhGFEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/Online/InventorySearch.aspx?brandId=2820&c=us&cs=28&l=en&s=dfb


Another option for a heavy duty laptop is Panasonic Toughook Black Cobra. I like my laptops rugged as I use them to work on vehicles.

https://www.techtough.com/

[StagLefty]

I bought a new ASUS Chromebook with last year's TABOR refund. It does everything I need it to and no regrets at all. When I retired my son (who is a software engineer) told me a Chromebook was the perfect laptop to meet my needs.

[Scanker19]

I switched to MAC about 16 years ago and haven’t looked back.

with that said, as others pointed out Macs are expensive and limiting. At one point they had only one port for everything. Something I wouldn’t want to do, but that seems to be the wave of the future. I don’t think many new computers have disk drives or HDDs that you can upgrade outside of some bespoke stuff. But I’m not a computer nerd either.

laptops are becoming more obsolescent everyday with many switching to tablets with keyboards.

[babarsac]

What would your ballpark budget be?

I've had good luck with Lenovo (they constantly have different models on sale) and laptops through Costco.

[eddiememphis]

The major advantage with a Mac is it works.

I jumped on the Mac wagon years ago after finally having enough of Windows.

My first Mac was a refurb 2009 I bought in 2011. I didn't have any trouble until Apple stopped supporting it. I bought a new 24" M1 in 2021 and am very happy with it.

It is fast, quiet, trouble free (so far) and the Retina screen is amazing.

Ten trouble free years is a pretty good lifespan- try that with a PC.

There are few programs that will not run on a Mac unless you play games or need specialized programs. I can't recall anything web-based being an issue.

They are more expensive than a cheap Windows rig but there are many more expensive units as well. You don't need to buy new either. There are plenty of places to buy refurbished units that have warrantees.

I also have a macbook pro and ipad that I use for my business. They all communicate easily with each other and my iphone.

Try it. If you don't like it, you will likely be able to sell it without losing money.

[ChadAmberg]

I've been a computer guy since the 80s, been working with Windows since 1990 or so. I've used every version of Windows since 3.1. My career was made on Microsoft, I've got a ton of certifications and such.

And I've gone Mac at home because it's a better experience.

My wife used to go through PC laptops every 2-3 years. Finally on a whim I got her a MacBook that was on sale, and... it lasted her 10 years. A few years after I got a MacBook too, adjusted within a week, and never went back. The last thing I wanted to deal with when I got home was fixing computer stuff, and with Mac everything does just work.

[Delfuego]

Don't overspend. Replace more often. 10yrs is too long. Expect 3-5yrs, any extra is gravy. Get the premium warranty for at least 3yrs, they are all cheaply made and have high failure rates. I have thrown lots of +$2K laptops w/o warranty in the trash after 1-2yrs.

They are all the same on the inside
Good laptops run $1500 and up
Mac Laptop run $2k and up
Your buying the company's support more than the machine
Buy direct and not used or from a reseller

We run Dells and Macs mostly at work (thousands). Dell ProSupport + is still good. Apple support is not good. HP, Lenovo, has been hit or miss lately.

[Little Dutch]

Given your requirements I'd push you to just buy a modestly priced Asus. Look for an Intel core processor, probably an i5 gen 13 for your needs (core i5-13xxxxxx). 16 gig of ram absolute minimum, but more is better.

Staples actually runs reasonable pricing on their sale-priced laptops. I tend to buy from newegg, but I've done well on pcs and laptops that meet your requirements at staples in the past.

https://www.staples.com/laptops/cat_CL167289

[ChadAmberg]

Don't overspend. Replace more often. 10yrs is too long. Expect 3-5yrs, any extra is gravy. Get the premium warranty for at least 3yrs, they are all cheaply made and have high failure rates. I have thrown lots of +$2K laptops w/o warranty in the trash after 1-2yrs.

They are all the same on the inside
Good laptops run $1500 and up
Mac Laptop run $2k and up
Your buying the company's support more than the machine
Buy direct and not used or from a reseller

We run Dells and Macs mostly at work (thousands). Dell ProSupport + is still good. Apple support is not good. HP, Lenovo, has been hit or miss lately.

You can get a good Macbook Air for ~1000.

[colorider]

Since you are in Arvada, pop in to Action Computers off of Wads. They have many used laptops in all kinds of price categories as well as performance/age. I've purchased several well working units from them.

[eddiememphis]

What did you decide?

[zulu01]

Been dragging my feet. Just started looking around last night. Looked at some options at Costco. Need to do some more research.

[buffalobo]

Since you are in Arvada, pop in to Action Computers off of Wads. They have many used laptops in all kinds of price categories as well as performance/age. I've purchased several well working units from them.This^^^.

They were good to deal with and helpful if machine had issue, even though purchased used.

If you're unarmed, you are a victim.

[O2HeN2]

You can get a good Macbook Air for ~1000.

And you can get a GREAT Chromebook for less than $300:

https://www.costco.com/acer-chromebook-plus-14%e2%80%9d-touchscreen-laptop-%e2%80%93intel-core-i3-n305---protective-sleeve-included.product.4000252543.html

If you have no need for a Windows-specific software, I'll reiterate; forget Apple, forget Microsoft and get a Chromebook.

O2

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.