Advice of Getting a new Low Cost Window Laptop

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

My 2006 Dell Desktop has big storage with updated applications, and Window 7, but it is just too old.

I am thinking about getting a new low cost window laptop. Need it for the following tasks, nothing fancy or major:

1. Hook up a camera through a USB cable so I could shoot photos and transfer them to the laptop. Big storage is preferred, but I could always use external storage device.

2. Using Photoshop Element to post process photos if needed.

3. Using Quicken to manage personal finance.

4. Perform regular window office tasks and access internet.

I have been using Apple MAC Pro since 2014, I never have one single problem. Unfortunately, I realize certain tools (such as Quicken), and sites, Window is still their preferred interface.

Any suggestion will be very appreciated.

Featured Answer

azinoh

9 years ago

"Low cost" does not tell us what your price limit is. You'll get better answers after you say what you are willing to spend. Do yourself a favor and get at least 8 MB memory for Win 10 + the fastest chip that is within your price point. DON'T settle for the slowest one. Other than the USB port, everything else is minor.

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Comments (6)

mike_kaiser_gw
9 years ago
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).
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User
Original Author
9 years ago
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'.
mike_kaiser_gw
9 years ago
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.
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Arianne Fronteras
9 years ago
Check these GTX 10-Series Laptops that can meet your requirements.
aputernut
9 years ago
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.

Advice of Getting a new Low Cost Window Laptop

azinoh

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mike_kaiser_gw

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Advice of Getting a new Low Cost Window Laptop

azinoh

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mike_kaiser_gw

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