I need a new laptop. Help?

[garbon]

So once again Apple fanbois derail a thread with irrelevant advice for the OP.

[Threviel]

Meh, BB is the fanboi, I would never recommend Meri a Mac. I wouldn't even own a Mac if it wasn't that I use the same computer as the wife and we needed to compromise.

I just don't find them necessarily overpriced. Expensive sure. Overpriced for computing power sure. Overpriced as a a whole, not necessarily.

[Eddie Teach]

I'm still not sure what you think you're getting for the extra money.

[garbon]

I'm still not sure what you think you're getting for the extra money.

Prestige, luxury

[Threviel]

I'm still not sure what you think you're getting for the extra money.

Well. I used to build computers back in the day. I sucked, so I used to have all kinds of problems with the hardware. Unexpected chokepoints, loud fans and other stuff.

My last homebuild was such a failure that I decided to buy a Dell next time. Then, when it was time I had a discussion where I mocked an engineer that just got a job at Apple. So I looked up Mac. And it wasn't that much more expensive, but far more convenient and it also looked good. Small things, it had a nice mouse and keyboard, good screen. Silent. We could easily move it and use it for films. And no unexpected hardware issues, no loud fans and no problems.

We bought it in 2008. I gave it to the parents in law in 2014 when we got a new one. They used it until the screen broke last autumn. 11 problem free years. That is a lot for a computer. A Dell could perhaps have dine the same, I don't know. But 11 problem free years is worth a lot for me.

Now I do know my way around computer. For my part I could just as well use Linux or Windows, but my wife is quite fond of MacOS. It's worth a lot for me that she has a painless time on the computer.

Edit: And I live in a house that cost me in the millions of SEK to build in the style I want. It's worth a 1000 SEK to not have an ugly dust trap for a computer.

[merithyn]

As stated, I'm not getting a Mac. Ever.

In fact, thanks to your advice and assistance, I bought this yesterday:

HP - 14" Laptop - Intel Core i3 - 8GB Memory - 1TB Hard Drive - HP Finish In Pale Gold And Ash Silver

Windows 10 operating system
Windows 10 brings back the Start Menu from Windows 7 and introduces new features, like the Edge Web browser that lets you markup Web pages on your screen.

14" display
BrightView glossy screen maintains the vivid colors in your photos and videos. Typical 1366 x 768 HD resolution. WLED backlight.

8th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-8130U mobile processor
Smart dual-core, four-way processing performance for HD-quality computing.

8GB system memory for advanced multitasking
Substantial high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run your games and photo- and video-editing applications, as well as multiple programs and browser tabs all at once.

1TB hard drive for ample file storage space
Holds a sizeable collection of digital photos, music, HD videos and DVD-quality movies. 5400 rpm spindle speed for standard read/write times.

Intel® UHD Graphics 620
On-processor graphics with shared video memory provide everyday image quality for Internet use, basic photo editing and casual gaming.

Weighs 4.03 lbs. and measures 0.9" thin
Lightweight design, featuring a slightly smaller screen and omitting the DVD/CD drive for improved portability. 3-cell lithium-polymer battery.

HDMI output expands your viewing options
Connect to an HDTV or high-def monitor to set up two screens side by side or just see more of the big picture.

Built-in media reader for simple photo transfer
Supports select memory card formats.

Wireless and wired network connectivity
Built-in high-speed wireless LAN connects to your network or hotspots on the most common Wi-Fi standards. The Gigabit Ethernet LAN port also plugs into wired networks.

Built-in HP TrueVision HD webcam with dual-array digital microphone
Makes it easy to video chat with family and friends or teleconference with colleagues over Skype or other popular applications. Automatically adjusts for available light.

Additional port
Headphone/microphone combo jack.

Note: This laptop does not include a built-in DVD/CD drive.

Intel, Pentium, Celeron, Core, Atom, Ultrabook, Intel Inside and the Intel Inside logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

I also bought a bluetooth optic mouse and an external DVD/CD drive. I haven't had much time to play with it as I had plans last night, but it seems solid so far.

It's funny. Getting a new computer isn't nearly as fun now as it used to be. All I can think about is all the crap that I have to do to customize it to my needs, what files to transfer from the old computer, and how much work ALL of that is going to be. But, you know, it's awfully pretty.

[PDH]

I have actually had good luck with my last two HP laptops.  Good luck to you too, Meri and if it does die I hope it happens when it flies from your hands and destroys 4 Macbook Air computers around a coffee shop table.

[Barrister]

As stated, I'm not getting a Mac. Ever.

To each their own.  But don't they practically hand you a Macbook as soon as you get an Oregon drivers license?

[garbon]

I have actually had good luck with my last two HP laptops.  Good luck to you too, Meri and if it does die I hope it happens when it flies from your hands and destroys 4 Macbook Air computers around a coffee shop table.

Both my laptop and desktop are HP.

[mongers]

.......

Edit: And I live in a house that cost me in the millions of SEK to build in the style I want. It's worth a 1000 SEK to not have an ugly dust trap for a computer.

Ah, the truth is out, it's actually an 'artful' accessory to a plush house. 

[merithyn]

As stated, I'm not getting a Mac. Ever.

To each their own.  But don't they practically hand you a Macbook as soon as you get an Oregon drivers license?

I wouldn't know, as I still don't have an Oregon Drivers' License.

(Hush. I'm getting it tomorrow. It's only been a year and a half. )

[Threviel]

.......

Edit: And I live in a house that cost me in the millions of SEK to build in the style I want. It's worth a 1000 SEK to not have an ugly dust trap for a computer.

Ah, the truth is out, it's actually an 'artful' accessory to a plush house. 

Well, in UK terms ut would be: I paid a few 100' for my house, what's another 100 quid. I imagine I could exchange my house for a nice shed in the UK. Perhaps in a few years, after brexit, I could exchange for a nice house. But otherwise you are correct, it's an "artful" accessory.

[Barrister]

As stated, I'm not getting a Mac. Ever.

To each their own.  But don't they practically hand you a Macbook as soon as you get an Oregon drivers license?

I wouldn't know, as I still don't have an Oregon Drivers' License.

Meri, Meri, Meri... I'm very disappointed in you.

(Hush. I'm getting it tomorrow. It's only been a year and a half. )

Tell me if you like your new Macbook!

[Barrister]

For what it's worth, while I heartily recommend Mac notebooks, if someone is looking a desktop I'd probably recommend a Windows machine.  Macs have very limited gaming selection, their desktops use notebook components, nothing is upgradeable...

[Grey Fox]

I would buy a Windows Desktop & a ChromeOS laptop.