PC/Laptop suggestions?

[no2gates]

I'm a lot cheaper than these suggestions! For the email and general browsing I do, a $400 HP laptop from Walmart works great. The battery will have to be replaced in a year or so otherwise it's more than adequate.
For your budget you could get two and still be ahead. Totally different deal if you "work" on it, get something more robust but for a bigger screen and keyboard than your phone, easily fits the bill. A 1tb external drive is likely more than you'll ever use and can be moved to your next PC.

Replacing batteries on a Windows laptop is probably fine for anyone who has some basic repair abilities, with the exception of Macbooks. Since around 2019, they are next to impossible for anyone to replace. You basically have to completely disassemble the entire thing to replace the battery. Not fun.

 

[Tnhawk]

Replacing batteries on a Windows laptop is probably fine for anyone who has some basic repair abilities, with the exception of Macbooks. Since around 2019, they are next to impossible for anyone to replace. You basically have to completely disassemble the entire thing to replace the battery. Not fun.

It was easier to replace the computer than the battery.

 

[Whistler]

Just separate the case and there it is, it's fiddly with little plastic tabs and delicate connector to be careful of breaking but it's not especially difficult.
I think those cheap laptops are pretty much disposable short of a couple simple things like a battery.

 

[HKSig]

Replacing batteries on a Windows laptop is probably fine for anyone who has some basic repair abilities, with the exception of Macbooks. Since around 2019, they are next to impossible for anyone to replace. You basically have to completely disassemble the entire thing to replace the battery. Not fun.

MacBook batteries are in multiple pieces and glued in too.

I replaced a battery in an Acer (maybe one of the lesser brands) a few years ago; it was a 3 hour job; almost a complete disassembly.

 

[no2gates]

MacBook batteries are in multiple pieces and glued in too.

I replaced a battery in an Acer (maybe one of the lesser brands) a few years ago; it was a 3 hour job; almost a complete disassembly.

I've replaced a bunch of Dell laptop batteries. Most took less than 10 minutes. Dells seem to be really good about DIY repairs both with the laptops and desktops.
I've replaced a few Macbook batteries including a 2019 recently that took over an hour since it was glued in and had to remove all the adhesive. It was a huge PIA.

 

[Texas_Lone_Ranger]

Dell, HP etc all are a burn of money. Look at ASUS or MSI or Alienware laptops with performance cpu and video card. Your money will be well spent in your price range.

You get more value for your dollar, future proof for additional years.

 

[HKSig]

I've replaced a bunch of Dell laptop batteries. Most took less than 10 minutes. Dells seem to be really good about DIY repairs both with the laptops and desktops.

A lot of Dells are easy; no need to take them apart to replace the battery.

 

[easy rider]

I'm pretty happy with my Lenovo laptop. I know 'china' but it works great and is very fast. 1TB SSD and 40GB Ram. More computer than I really need, but I like it. At $559 it's about $140 cheaper than what I paid.

https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-IdeaPad-Display-i7-1185G7-Bluetooth/dp/B0CX3J466X/ref=rvi_d_sccl_10/137-5170537-6743841?pd_rd_w=lcekj&content-id=amzn1.sym.f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_p=f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_r=J6XBYPXKM4PPHPBQJ2SC&pd_rd_wg=cAR6d&pd_rd_r=091506f2-5ad4-42c0-8ef2-c3c2b27ee31e&pd_rd_i=B0CX3J466X&th=1

 

[Texas_Lone_Ranger]

Proprietary laptops work but you pay more for service and bloatware than performance. Sure Dell, Lenovo, HP work. How many times has your pc went from superfast to a slug and mass spamware? ASUS, MSI etc are pre-built without bloatware.

 

[SARGE67]

MG, for what you're wanting a new laptop for, I don't think those cheaper models from Dell, Walmart or anyone will be sufficient. $200-500 is almost laughable unless you just want to email and surf the web only. My two Dells (including one still in the box two months ago) were around $1200 and are very capable of just about anything. I don't use those resources for video editing, etc, but the horses are there. I'd much rather have them and not need. When you choose your Dell, think about video video video and lots and lots of RAM. You'll then be downtown...

 

[Texas_Lone_Ranger]

Alienware M16 R2 has a nice price to performance ratio. An option I would consider.

 

[easy rider]

To be honest, I also needed office for doing work at home, that's why the pro model.

 

[Tnhawk]

I'm pretty happy with my Lenovo laptop. I know 'china' but it works great and is very fast. 1TB SSD and 40GB Ram. More computer than I really need, but I like it. At $559 it's about $140 cheaper than what I paid.

https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-IdeaPad-Display-i7-1185G7-Bluetooth/dp/B0CX3J466X/ref=rvi_d_sccl_10/137-5170537-6743841?pd_rd_w=lcekj&content-id=amzn1.sym.f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_p=f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_r=J6XBYPXKM4PPHPBQJ2SC&pd_rd_wg=cAR6d&pd_rd_r=091506f2-5ad4-42c0-8ef2-c3c2b27ee31e&pd_rd_i=B0CX3J466X&th=1

Several years ago, I got a Lenovo from Costco. After it wouldn't connect with ATT, I returned it and replaced with a Dell. My son in law got a Lenovo about the same time and has been pleased with it.

 

[easy rider]

Several years ago, I got a Lenovo from Costco. After it wouldn't connect with ATT, I returned it and replaced with a Dell. My son in law got a Lenovo about the same time and has been pleased with it.

Works great with Starlink. I live too far from town to get cable.

 

[Darkpriest667]

I'm pretty happy with my Lenovo laptop. I know 'china' but it works great and is very fast. 1TB SSD and 40GB Ram. More computer than I really need, but I like it. At $559 it's about $140 cheaper than what I paid.

https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-IdeaPad-Display-i7-1185G7-Bluetooth/dp/B0CX3J466X/ref=rvi_d_sccl_10/137-5170537-6743841?pd_rd_w=lcekj&content-id=amzn1.sym.f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_p=f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_r=J6XBYPXKM4PPHPBQJ2SC&pd_rd_wg=cAR6d&pd_rd_r=091506f2-5ad4-42c0-8ef2-c3c2b27ee31e&pd_rd_i=B0CX3J466X&th=1

Be advised Lenovo is owned by the chinese government indirectly. As long as you're ok with that I have no problems recommending them, but there is a reason they are not used in the finance and military subcontracting industries.

 

[jmohme]

MacBook batteries are in multiple pieces and glued in too.

I replaced a battery in an Acer (maybe one of the lesser brands) a few years ago; it was a 3 hour job; almost a complete disassembly.

Depends on the MacBook. I have several and one of mine that was about 12 years old, the battery started to swell, so I ordered one. A small screwdrive set and a couple cold beers and I had it swapped out. The toughest part was the glue, but not a really big deal.

Most laptops become obsolete before the battery takes a crap, but I keep them around to use at events for customers to veiw thier photo proofs. At the events, I just have them plugged in so unless the battery swells up like the one I changed, I don't much care about battery condition.

 

[Tnhawk]

Be advised Lenovo is owned by the chinese government indirectly. As long as you're ok with that I have no problems recommending them, but there is a reason they are not used in the finance and military subcontracting industries.

Dell, a TX company, made my laptop in Vietnam, however I haven't noticed any punji sticks in the keyboard.

 

[Dermako]

As a PC guy from the DOS days I would say you probably can’t go wrong with a a Dell should you go in that direction.
The hardware part of PC is awesome. The software (Windows) sucks and always has.
A Mac or MacBook (pro) would be my recommendation.
Regardless of choice, Brother laser printer/scanner highly recommended.

 

[karlac]

Having been a bleeding edge geek since the early 70's, but now in my days of Memory Lane turning into a rabbit trail, I find Alienware and Dell are my current go to choices.

Dell's support has always been top notch in my book, with periodic updates for my 8 year old laptop (Windows 10) still going strong.

That said, Windows 11 is a pox on humanity ... even the horse they rode in needs to be put out of it's misery!

 

[SARGE67]

Having been a bleeding edge geek since the early 70's, but now in my days of Memory Lane turning into a rabbit trail, I find Alienware and Dell are my current go to choices.

Dell's support has always been top notch in my book, with periodic updates for my 8 year old laptop (Windows 10) still going strong.

That said, Windows 11 is a pox on humanity ... even the horse they rode in needs to be put out of it's misery!

My longtime geek buds tell me MS stops supporting an OS like Windows 10 and issues a new one just to make sure the license holders are legit, or words to that effect. MS won't tell you that part but instead says it's for security. At one time all the other software out there you use had to change also with each MS update to be compatible. That meant you and me had to upgrade MS plus all those programs to use on it. Afterall, you didn't want to be "hacked" do you ? The word is Win 11 is kinda like the versions of others we came to hate, like XP, Vista (what a loser it was) and Windows 8. The only MS versions worth anything useful were Win 98 (I really loved that one) and Win7 that followed. Win 10 is usable, why mess it up.....