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Harry Potter and the Skittering Spouse

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Never bother with apple.

Dell is weak, but cheap. If all you're doing is writing (and I do mean just writing, nothing else) it can be an acceptable cheap option. I'm generally against them though, they don't last and can't really do anything that requires processing power. I'd hit up your local best buy or other tech store for your options. Any of the off-the-shelf basics will do.

As for anti-virus, I'd suggest Advance System Optimizer. it's a mite pricy, but it is a dependable program to not only kill virus', but also take care of your system.
 
I personally would recommend ThinkPad's Laptop wise for their mechanical durability alone. They are pricy but the do not break, which is relevant to me, because I am on the road a lot with my laptop. If you do not move your laptop a lot it or not being able to bill your hours if it breaks is not a concern do not buy a ThinkPad. If it doesn't have to be a laptop the BASE model iMac or MacMini is actually a good deal. However then you will have to deal with very small storage, so that might mean you need a NAS or external harddrive.

Antivirus use windows defender, anything else is an actual security risk.
 
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Also, you might want to look into local electronic recycling places. You can often get a computer that is a couple generations behind for less than 200 dollars.
 
Honestly, if you aren't dead set on a laptop, I would actually recommend you go for a tablet. In general, they are lighter and thinner that a regular laptop, have better battery life, and are much easier to set up. Plus you won't need a power brick or a proprietary charging cable, USB C or Apple Lightning will be the port you use.

Some have bundles that include a keyboard, others do not. If you want to use an attached keyboard, and not the onscreen or wireless one, get it in a bundle. Keyboard covers sold separately go for over $100.

If you have access to Costco, they usually have deals that are very reasonable. I bought my tablet/ keyboard combo for the same price as just the tablet from another retailer.

Hope that helps.
 
Torlek said:
I personally would recommend ThinkPad's Laptop wise for their mechanical durability alone. They are pricy but the do not break, which is relevant to me, because I am on the road a lot with my laptop. If you do not move your laptop a lot it or not being able to bill your hours if it breaks is not a concern do not buy a ThinkPad. If it doesn't have to be a laptop the BASE model iMac or MacMini is actually a good deal. However then you will have to deal with very small storage, so that might mean you need a NAS or external harddrive.
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This.

I managed to snag a Panasonic Thoughbook a few years back but gave it away to my brother when he got a job in an oil rig. Damn beast is still going strong for a refurbished 550 dollar laptop.

My own HP has been still chugging along and I bought almost a decade ago and I just recently swapped it's storage for 2 ssds and more ram

@Fencer
Buy something a bit old but upgradeable, even if it costs a bit more. It certainly becomes cheaper when you can fix it or replace the defective part instead of having to throw it away like most cheap devices.
 
The thing Dumbledore refuses to understand is that Taylor and Harry have not been raised to see the sunshine out his wrinkled arse. He's too used to dealing with the Magicals and their illogical outlook. He's dealing with a girl that Authority did everything they could to grind down for their plans over her VERY determined resistance. Harry's been kept in the dark and few shit so long it's not funny, and he's had a clue by four hitting him about the head. He. Is. DONE.

As long as Dumbledore acts like they are a muggle or misguided child he's going to get nothing but headaches. And likely ALL the Doxies.
 
A Refurbished windows laptop with a decent warranty is going to be much better for what you are using it for. An Apple is at this point just an overpriced bit of tinker tech with compatibility issues.

If you were gaming or building apps, I would have other recommendations, but for surfing the web and writing, you can get a refurbished Thinkpad for less than $200.

If you are looking for a Gaming laptop, the hardware hasn't gotten much better in recent years, so you can still pick up a decent one from a couple years ago that will play just about anything on high end settings for $1500 (I game with an MSI I picked up in 2021.)
 
Fencer said:
Yo, I could use some tech advice if anyone's got some time? My laptops slow and old and cheep. It might last another four years but given the projected spike in tech prices for those of us living in America that's not exactly something to bet on. So uhhhh yeah.

I really only use my laptop for writing at this point so I don't need high end. So yeah basics, is an apple actual worth the extra money compared to hp? Is buying the cheapest of either a no go for any reason? Because again I don't need it for much. And since I'm asking tech questions anyway. Is there a decent antivirus company that exists? Like, life lock makes me feel like I have some security, though who really knows. But Norton slows my computer down then tries to extort me for another hundred something dollars a year for a program that will clear out junk and make it run faster.
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OK I'll break the trend here slightly and say Apple is worth it, if your computer getting out of the way and barely needing any attention while still being able to do almost anything is worth it to you. For basic usage anything Apple currently sells is going to be way overpowered, which is good for longevity and it'll still be pretty snappy in 5-6 years, which won't be the case for most PC laptops. They also tend to keep their value pretty well because of that, so picking up one a year or two old is also an option (look for anything with the M series chips, M1,M2 etc).

That said, if you truely only need it for basic usage, it'd also be worth looking at Chromebooks - way cheaper and again they get out of your way and stay snappy. They're upfront about the 'end of support' date - usually 10 years or so from release, and you can expect them to keep working well until that date until you really abuse them. They're locked down enough there's no need for antivirus. Just don't expect to run anything that can't run in a web browser on them, and if you need to do a lot of work without internet access they're not the best option (there are offline apps for them but not fantastic).

Other than this, I'd also recommend trying out the keyboards on whatever you're considering - this can be one of the most subjective things so finding one you like is important!

Antivirus - there's really no need to pay for this (especially for stuff like Norton - avoid). Microsoft Defender (previously Windows Defender, previously Microsoft Security Essentials) does do the basics OK. I run the free version of Bitdefender weekly (Mac though, so can't vouch for the speed of the Windows version), but I don't bother with a background scanner - unless you're doing really risky things like downloading software from sketchy websites it just isn't necessary.
 
Fencer said:
I really only use my laptop for writing at this point so I don't need high end.
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For writing i really, really, recommend picking up Lenono ThinkPad X series. Why? Just google "lenovo thinkpad keyboard quality", results pretty much speak for themselves. Choice mostly based on size you are comfortable with. But even on tight budget you can get older X1 Carbon Gen 4-6 with exceptional keyboard, and ex-flagship specs that way past what you need for writing \ browsing.
 
Fencer said:
Yo, I could use some tech advice if anyone's got some time? My laptops slow and old and cheep. It might last another four years but given the projected spike in tech prices for those of us living in America that's not exactly something to bet on. So uhhhh yeah.

I really only use my laptop for writing at this point so I don't need high end. So yeah basics, is an apple actual worth the extra money compared to hp? Is buying the cheapest of either a no go for any reason? Because again I don't need it for much. And since I'm asking tech questions anyway. Is there a decent antivirus company that exists? Like, life lock makes me feel like I have some security, though who really knows. But Norton slows my computer down then tries to extort me for another hundred something dollars a year for a program that will clear out junk and make it run faster.
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Apple's an absolute no-go no matter what, you'll get less out the gate and then eat more damages in being forced into their proprietary repair ecosystem. Don't go ultra cheap but just, given your use case, go for what would have been top of the line for a Windows machine a few years ago. Something that's currently a bit mid-range, in other words, new not used. In my AV experience there's not a ton of great options, my last major experiment was with Avira but I know they've had some data brokerage issues. People recommend ESET but I've got no experience there.
 
Most of the big electronic stores have laptops that were returned after Christmas. That's when I used to do my electronics shopping.

Check out the company websites, open box returns can be a darn good deal. I'd get one that already has your word processing software loaded, unless you have your own subscription already.

Keep up the good work!
 
Yea no on Dell and Apple. Apple for the reasons above. Dell as a no because they boast good packages but the speed of them is now so low that the 32GB ram is less effective and useful than everyone else's 8GB ram.
 
What software do you use for writing? A cheap Chromebook with LibreOffice or GoogleDocs should serve your needs well if it just for writing and web surfing. If you need something with a bit more kick, check what refurbished deals you have near you.

If Windows 11 is a deal breaker, maybe check System76 for a good Linux Laptop.

I have an M1 MacBook Air and am very happy with it since I have zero interest in gaming on PCs; that is what consoles and a Switch are for.
 
Fencer said:
But Norton slows my computer down then tries to extort me for another hundred something dollars a year for a program that will clear out junk and make it run faster.
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That's because Norton and McAfee are both basically viruses themselves. They're very difficult to uninstall completely and if you're migrating to a new computer I'd recommend against installing them. I picked up Malwarebytes and it's been 1000% more 'paranoid' at stopping me from going to sketchy sites, but it's also got 100% less ads for the program itself and only costs $50 or $60 a year for the basic or 'Plus' packages, and only ~$120 for the 'Ultimate' package. If you go Windows they've got Windows Defender installed free onto every operating system, which cuts a large chunk of virus stuff off at the knees and works just fine as a primary antivirus.

Honestly though, common sense and paranoia takes care of most antivirus functions without needing any software at all. Just don't click on sketchy ads, don't open emails or email links that you don't instantly recognize both who they are from and what they are, and don't use the same passwords for everything and you'll probably be fine even without antivirus, especially if you're just using it as a tool to go to wikipedia and type on. Install some addblocker (or two or three like me :D) and just be careful and you'll be fine.
 
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Fencer said:
Yo, I could use some tech advice if anyone's got some time? My laptops slow and old and cheep. It might last another four years but given the projected spike in tech prices for those of us living in America that's not exactly something to bet on. So uhhhh yeah.

I really only use my laptop for writing at this point so I don't need high end. So yeah basics, is an apple actual worth the extra money compared to hp? Is buying the cheapest of either a no go for any reason? Because again I don't need it for much. And since I'm asking tech questions anyway. Is there a decent antivirus company that exists? Like, life lock makes me feel like I have some security, though who really knows. But Norton slows my computer down then tries to extort me for another hundred something dollars a year for a program that will clear out junk and make it run faster.
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Honestly, I advised someone with similar workload to get a $350 HP laptop with an SSD. That's really all you need. You could probably get away with a tablet and Bluetooth keyboard.

Default Windows antivirus is good enough for general browsing, but I recommend getting an ad blocker since that's the most common virus intrusion point.
 
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Fencer said:
apple actual worth the extra money compared to hp?
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Nope.
Fencer said:
cheapest of either a no go for any reason?
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They will reach End of Life or End of Support sooner (potentially within months).
Fencer said:
Norton slows my computer down then tries to extort me for another hundred something dollars a year
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That's what most 3rd party antivirus software does anymore. Stick with the OS antivirus, using adblock plugins on your web browser, and updating your software at least every month.
Fencer said:
I really only use my laptop for writing
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Go to Costco and pick up the cheapest laptop/keyboarded tablet package. Usually around $400-$900. I think the Surface Pro will be the most useful in this case.
 
Fencer said:
I really only use my laptop for writing at this point so I don't need high end.
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I will be bold and assume you have a phone that's not Apple, and propose a neat little thing called Samsung Dex. There's also Motorola Ready for and there's apparently a Pixel version coming as well. Apple doesn't support this kind of thing since they insist on keeping the tablet, phone, and desktop all separate.

Most phone companies are looking into turning the phone into a dock-able desktop alternative, with a plug and play style approach like the Nintendo Switch. I have a Dex and I love using it when I just need to rummage around online minutes at a time or just neatly organizing all my files on my phone. With the phone, you also have the option to locally or cloud save all your contents for perusal later and carrying it with you. You just need the the docking station, a monitor, the keyboard and mouse. Which could all be Bluetooth enabled if you want.

Very neat and tidy alternative for simple home use. Could even play games on it of you wish. I got Game Pass so I could stream games through my phone and it all works really well on my end.

Entire thing could only cost up to 150$, cause it's just a monitor and plug ins.

Hope you find this alternative helpful.
 
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Personally, i replaced my laptop two years ago with a HP brand laptop that is doing well, especially since it has a built in SD card reader for HD expansion
for anti-virus and other shielding, i use the pay for version of AVG, both their anti-virus and their tune up programing
 
With a friend's help, I just built my own computer using off-the-shelf parts. When a part wears out, I just replace it with an identical part and go on with my day. Cost around $600 about 10 years ago. The motherboard needed replacing, and I've since upgraded the memory, but overall, it hasn't cost much since, and it still works well.
 
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As others have said Apple is a worthless trap unless you already are in the trap of having every technology you own being Apple.

Thinkpad is the best if you need to travel with it. It's the modern version of the Nokia brick memes. But they know that and increase the price accordingly so if you don't travel avoid them.

This time of year Christmas returns are everywhere so wander your local tech stores, Amazon, manufacturer websites, and the business seller part of eBay. With the level of discounts you can find the cost is more important then brand.

If literally all you do it write you can look at tablets. If you plan to take it out to coffee shops and the like look at integrated keyboard flip cases. If it stays at home just grab a $20 wireless keyboard and mouse bundle. The integrated flip case will mean you will have to get newer tablets since those are what are still selling, but if getting wireless keyboard and mouse you can grab anything 2020 or newer.

Lastly and this applies to all the options, manufacturer warranty is much more important then a store warranty. Store warranties are almost always worse then the purchase warranty you get just by buying with a Visa or MasterCard. Keep your itemized receipt and register your purchase for the manufacturer warranty.
 
In theory, you could go super cheap because if you're just writing and browsing you don't need a computer that's any faster than what you have now. In practice, anything cheap is intentionally terrible, so you have to go midrange. If you're running Windows, you also need something relatively recent to run Windows 11, and you can't run an older version of Windows and expect security updates, but at least Windows Defender is great antivirus for the average user - not top of the line, but fantastic for a free product.

Sometimes you can get on eBay or some other site and find hundreds of 3 year old ThinkPad laptops because businesses like to get new hardware for their employees that often, but I don't know what's available right now. Just pay attention to the specs - some of those used laptops are for sale because they have a hard drive instead of SSD, etc.
 
Oh ya, Windows. You absolutely need to have Windows 11. Windows 10 End of Life is this October. If for some reason you can only find win10 laptops, go buy a pad of pen and paper instead.

Antivirus wise, Windows Defender is built in and able to handle 95% of viruses. Just make sure you have ad blocker on whatever browser you use and actually have it enabled. If you use a site that says they require you to turn it off, spend the 2 minutes to configure the blocker to get past the alert, don't turn it off.
 
Apple has a habit of intentionally putting manufacturing problems in their products, so they break very easily, then doing everything in their power to NOT fix the product under warranty (even when it still is under warranty).

To buy an Apple computer is to buy a product designed to fail in under a year, that will have a repair cost high enough to make it cheaper to just buy a new computer entirely (despite the fixes often being something a beginner PC tech could fix in under 10 minutes if Apple allowed them to be fixed).

Dell is another company you want to avoid, but in their case it's because they use too many proprietary parts, making them next to impossible to fix if something breaks. Oh, and they charge like double what the PCs are actually worth.
 
There's also one thing to consider, that being that, if you actually only really do writing and internet browsing on your laptop, you could just go Linux because THAT experience is virtually seamless. Same exact programs (Firefox and LibreOffice lol), same exact workflow, only difference if you installed, say, Mint or Zorin would be a little bit of appearance and you'll have an app installer in addition to the good ol' "Download an installer file and then run it from a folder" but otherwise, there is basically no effort required to jump to it.
 
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Since it seems most people have specific advice down, I'll cover some basic stuff instead.


If you take away one thing from this post, let it be this:
Regardless of other factors, do NOT get less that 16gigs of RAM. 32gigs is better, but not essential for what you want.

Windows is a RAM hog. If you get 12 or 8gb of RAM, most of that (sometimes more than 50%) is going to be used just running Windows, with far less left over for other programs. This will cause slowness day 1. Since that is why you are replacing the laptop...

The other thing. SSD, or solid state drives, will reduce your boot time to literal seconds. BUT will probably reduce your drive size by half compared to traditional HDD drives in the same price range.

If you are fine with a small drive (any gamer will tell you a 256 or 512gb drive is painfully tiny for today's games, or even serious picture storage) then go SSD. It may not seem like much when written out, but quick boot times are an enormous quality of life change, especially on a laptop that will get turned on/off more than a tower.

If you want to backup lots and lots of pictures, video, and/or music, consider an HDD instead. It is fairly easy to get a 1 Terabyte HDD drive for cheap. In fact, don't get less than 1TB if you decide to get a HDD drive. The price difference should be minimal, and you probably don't want a laptop that is trying to cut costs that much anyway, since other parts will likely be similarly cheap. The only real downside to HDD is that it will take the 'normal' time to boot and finish running all the startup programs found on a normal computer.

I personally would never get less than a 512gb drive regardless of what you plan to use the device for. The price difference just isn't worth the loss of future ability to store data on something you payed hundreds for.
 
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