Nothing you've said makes an argument for a Windows machine over a Mac. All the software you mentioned is available for a Mac including Microsoft Office (and the free suites, OpenOffice and Libre Office are available for Mac too). Web sites generally don't care what operating system you're computer is using. There was a time when software choices for Macs were more limited but those days are generally long gone.

In the recent thread about a refurbished machine, I mentioned the criteria I wanted if I decided to buy a new laptop. You might want to take a look. I don't know what you mean by "low cost" but buy too low and you just end up with a piece of junk (which will make you appreciate your Mac all the more).

Thank you azinoh, I was hoping you would respond, as I still really enjoy the two logic mouses you suggested for my window desktop and MAC.

My price limit is $1k (is this too low?), as this will be the machine primary for play - photo hobby. The old desktop I am using now had a demon vista, I replaced it with Window 7 a couple of years ago. But performance is getting worse, now it takes a while just to open a file from desktop.

Mike, I will buy a brand new one, as I know how people abuse laptops.

I have been trying to only use my MAC. But Quicken Mac is a joke. MSFT Mac version office files often have compatibility issues when I send them to other Window users. Some organization and store sites do not like MAC (trust me). Often I have to access same sites from my window desktop.

Being in high tech, I have no trouble selecting a serious computer - I still like my MAC Pro, but I feel lost to purchase a play machine, as I am not sure where to draw the line between 'low cost' vs 'cheap'.

A $1,000 will buy a pretty nice Windows laptop but certainly you can spend more (or less). At that point you can kind of go in two directions, the ultra portable machines or a less portable "workstation" with plenty of power. Both directions can add considerably to the price.

I've used a Mac and never had a problem browsing the web or having a site take my money. I'm wondering if you're problems aren't related to Safari, which isn't the greatest browser. Fortunately Chrome and Firefox are both available for a O/S X.

I don't collaborate with enough people to have had problems with compatibility between versions of Microsoft Office. Some years back I did work with a colleague on a Power Point presentation. He had a Mac and I was using Windows. There was an effect, maybe slide transition, that was natively available on the Mac but not in Windows. What was interesting is that once he had added it, I could then edit it, say for speed, in Windows. Given your budget:

• Intel Core i7

• 8 gigabytes of RAM, with 12 or 16 being better

• Full HD screen

• 256 gigabyte PCIe solid state drive. If you really need the storage space bigger solid state drives are available as are traditional hard drives but you'll take a hit with performance with a traditional drive

• Discrete video card, doesn't need to be a "gaming" machine but a discrete card takes some of the load off the processor and has it's own memory which boosts performance

• Enough ports for your current peripherals.

Check these GTX 10-Series Laptops that can meet your requirements.

I just saw an HP in our Sunday adverts at one of the Office stores for $319.00 also browse online let your PC work for you, many websites to browse.