Decent laptop recommendations.

[kingrollo]

Despite a career in IT - I've gotten out of touch with laptop tech.

I only need it for routine tasks web browsing and spreadsheets for budgeting. That said I want a decent spec one - I don't want one that runs like a dog after 12 months !

Not interested in refurbs or used. - any suggestions welcome.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I normally just get the cheapest HP
But I have just been given a Lenovo for the volunteering I do and that seems lovely

Most well known makes are good enough for basic stuff and if the internet has enough bandwidth they are fast enough unless you start playing video games on them
Mine is very basic and plays YouTube video just fine

 

[SteveH80]

Unless you're gaming or running other high resourse software just get whatever is in your price bracket at the computer shop. Browsing, spreadsheets, letter writing, email etc doesn't need much, all of these applications run fine on my 4 year old and 15 year old laptops.
Windows 11 is a greedy beast though but any new laptop will be up to it.
Obviously I'm not running Windows on a 15 year old machine, it would melt

 

[Cycling Labs]

As the self confessed 'tech-nerd' in my family and friends, I get asked this often. My usual advice is to tell people to think about it differently and rather than look for a specific spec, decide instead what the maximum you want to spend is and then get the best one you can for that price.

If your maximum allows you to buy a machine that is over-specified for your current needs, still get that, as it will give you an element of future proofing if Operating Systems and software start to demand more resources. You also have some wiggle room if you decide to get in to something more taxing in the future.

 

[albion]

As a, sometimes up to date, tech nerd, your question is hard to answer.
A £150 'refurb' is likely 12 months behind your '£1500' up to date machine.

For web browsing and budgeting spend at least £300 new. At that price, for that use, likely it will be near impossible to tell that you are 2 years plus behind.

 

[Dag Hammar]

This is reply No 5 and I’m surprised that Chromebooks have not yet been mentioned.
I bought an HP Chromebook about 2 and a half years ago for approx £280.
My requirements from it are precisely what @kingrollo is after, …..web browsing, spreadsheets and I also use word type documents.
I am absolutely delighted with it, it offers me exactly what I require ( and probably more ) at a sensible cost.
I don’t think I would ever be tempted to go back to a Windows machine.

 

[Gwylan]

The cost of the PC will be overshadowed by the cost of whatever software you decide on - well those crooks at Microsoft.
Great if you are working and your employer has a licence, otherwise pucker up for their scheming charge schemes.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

The cost of the PC will be overshadowed by the cost of whatever software you decide on - well those crooks at Microsoft.
Great if you are working and your employer has a licence, otherwise pucker up for their scheming charge schemes.

If you go on Groupon there are always very cheap (like £8) offers for full Office Professional
Old versions - but I have yet to come across anyone who really needs the latest "greatest" versions except for big companies who would install it themselves anyway

I am sure you already know enough to refuse any sales person who tries to get you to pay for Norton of anything else??

 

[sungod]

i suggest have a read of wirecutter, the reviewers are strictly independent, no paid-for 'reviews'

it's usa, but laptops tend to be marketed internationally these days

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-laptops/

there's massive price inflation of memory and some other components, this'll be feeding through to retail, so now may be a good time to buy

 

[si_c]

Most laptops in the last few years are more than powerful enough to do what you need. Honestly, if I was in the market for a new laptop (I opted for a steam deck instead) I'd get a refurb for a couple hundred. Let it run a couple of years and do the same.

Anything with 16GB ram and 512gb SSD would be plenty.

 

[Gwylan]

If you go on Groupon there are always very cheap (like £8) offers for full Office Professional
Old versions - but I have yet to come across anyone who really needs the latest "greatest" versions except for big companies who would install it themselves anyway

I am sure you already know enough to refuse any sales person who tries to get you to pay for Norton of anything else??

TFR

 

[SteveH80]

The cost of the PC will be overshadowed by the cost of whatever software you decide on - well those crooks at Microsoft.
Great if you are working and your employer has a licence, otherwise pucker up for their scheming charge schemes.

Paying for software? That's a novel idea, it's open source software for me these days. Microsoft et al ain't getting my money

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Paying for software? That's a novel idea, it's open source software for me these days. Microsoft et al ain't getting my money

I used to use openoffice then libreoffice - they do most of what Microshaft do

not the same - but close

 

[albion]

This is reply No 5 and I’m surprised that Chromebooks have not yet been mentioned.

I might have mentioned it but for spreadsheets there might be a new learning curve. Also Sheets is far less advanced than Excel.
Maybe it has improved but it can be quite frustrating for advanced users.

However, Chromebook has some major advantages. A few negatives but Windows that too, big style.

 

[Drago]

Paying for software? That's a novel idea, it's open source software for me these days. Microsoft et al ain't getting my money

Try being a student with a disability. They throw laptops, printers, software, ink, paper, desk and accessories at me for free. I turned down the desk, but was happy to accept the rest.