WIndows 10 I'm an idiot and I need a new laptop

Larempel

New Member
I'm sure there are a million other posts on this forum asking for laptop recommendations, but I am a computer idiot and it's hard for me to even understand what most of the words in these forums mean. I have spent the last few weeks searching for recommendations for laptops and I still have barely any clue what I am looking for, so any help I can get here will I will really, really, appreciate.

Some background:
  • Main use: I am graduating my BBA in April so this laptop will be used for 2 semesters of university and then it will be used for the next two years (hopefully) to complete my masters. I am an accounting student, so I pretty much just need it to run Microsoft office and MAYBE some basic programs. Most of the work I do is in excel or word, and by most I mean all.
  • Secondary use: I have to move into a dorm for my masters, so I assume I will be doing some streaming and other regular people functions on the side. I am not super bothered by less than HD graphics, but it would be nice to have a good screen for watching TV.
  • Current laptops: My only experience thus far with laptops is Lenovos. I use a Lenovo Thinkpad at work, which I love and find very handy, and I have another personal laptop I bought about 5 years ago which is also a Lenovo with a 17" screen (I think?). I am upgrading because when I bought my personal laptop I thought I wanted something big with a full number pad, but now I find it painful to carry around and the screen is starting to go. The laptop I have now is great, but it's not really great for me. I paid $1,200 CAD for it because I knew it was a good computer, but I just don't think I knew what I really wanted or needed at that time.
What I think I want (from my limited understanding and research):
  • Windows 10 - absolutely not a Mac.
  • I don't think I want a 2 in 1, because I feel like they are gimmicky and may break easier... However, I am not opposed to a touchscreen. If this is not in my price range it will not bother me to not have it.
  • I am a hobby photographer, so it needs to have an SD card insert.
  • I think I want at least an 8GB RAM, as I will probably have quite a few files on my computer though they would be basic files; pdfs, excels, word docs, etc. I use only cloud storage for my photos so that shouldn't be an issue. I might not even be correct in my understanding of what RAM is so feel free to let me know if I have no clue what I'm talking about.
  • I think I want a 13"-14" at most. I want it to fit in the laptop pockets of my backpacks or at least be able to fit in a normal sized bag.
  • Battery life longer than 6 hours is a plus, but I think 6 hours at minimum is where I would want it. I am never that far from a charger, as most of laptop use will be in class or at place of residence. I am not a coffee shop or out and about computer user.
  • I need at least 3 USB ports - kinda a stickler on this point. I have a portable monitor, a mouse (I never use the trackpads - they annoy me), and a USB number pad to plug in that have to all be plugged in at the same time. I really don't want to have to use a USB splitter, but if the perfect laptop comes along and it doesn't have enough USB ports I will begrudgingly accept. I know if I want a smaller laptop it might not have all the inputs I am lucky to have now.
  • I would like to stay under/around $1K CAD, but the cheaper the happier I will be. I want pay for something is good quality and will last me, but I know I am only using it for basic functions and am on a university student budget so the more budget friendly the better. I want to find a balance between quality and budget I guess. I have been looking at some HPs and ASUS computers and I think I can get something in this price range.
The part about capability and speed and all that is the part I do not understand. Of course I want something that is going to be fairly fast and capable, but as I said before I am using this as a travel laptop for school and not much else so I think having something portable and PRETTY capable is my best bet at getting something in my price range I am happy with. Let me know if I am totally on the wrong track, like I said I am a computer idiot, but I am really wanting some good solid suggestions so I can go into the store with a list of hopefuls and just choose one of those with little to no hassle. Best case scenario there is a general consensus and I literally just go buy whatever you say.
 

UnholyVision

Active Member
https://system76.com/laptops/galago

https://system76.com/laptops/darter

If you don't like the Linux OS on it you can always just install Windows 10 as it's a standard PC. Though from what your needs are I don't see an exact need for Windows. Because Microsoft Offices and other similar tools have been moved to the cloud. In fact some Linux distributions have included it in the installing of the OS. Streaming can be done on anything as all you need is a browser. Unless you need something very specific you could even use a Chromebook in your needs. Not that I'm suggesting use a Chromebook, but it would be possible.
 

strollin

Well-Known Member
Cloud versions of the MS Office apps are not as full featured as the versions that are locally installed. Whether the OP needs those additional features is something I can't answer.

OP: Sounds like you like the Lenovo laptops you have used. Why not buy a Lenovo with a 13-14" inch screen? My employer provided me with a Lenovo T480s laptop which I am happy with but it's more expensive than what you want to spend. This might work for you: https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Inch-Laptop-Intel-Black/dp/B00WR287L8

I just noticed that the laptop above comes with Windows 8.1. That's not a problem because you can still upgrade it to Windows 10 for free.
 

Cisco001

Well-Known Member
Last edited:

Cisco001

Well-Known Member
Cloud versions of the MS Office apps are not as full featured as the versions that are locally installed. Whether the OP needs those additional features is something I can't answer.

OP: Sounds like you like the Lenovo laptops you have used. Why not buy a Lenovo with a 13-14" inch screen? My employer provided me with a Lenovo T480s laptop which I am happy with but it's more expensive than what you want to spend. This might work for you: https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Inch-Laptop-Intel-Black/dp/B00WR287L8

I just noticed that the laptop above comes with Windows 8.1. That's not a problem because you can still upgrade it to Windows 10 for free.

personally not too worry about MS office, student usually can get it with discount.
 

UnholyVision

Active Member
Cloud versions of the MS Office apps are not as full featured as the versions that are locally installed. Whether the OP needs those additional features is something I can't answer.
Well fail on Microsoft then for half a***ng it again. As they keep wanting to move everything into the cloud. I guess LibreOffice is still the winner then in alternatives and you can export to Office outputs.
 

Darren

Moderator
Staff member
https://system76.com/laptops/galago

https://system76.com/laptops/darter

If you don't like the Linux OS on it you can always just install Windows 10 as it's a standard PC. Though from what your needs are I don't see an exact need for Windows. Because Microsoft Offices and other similar tools have been moved to the cloud. In fact some Linux distributions have included it in the installing of the OS. Streaming can be done on anything as all you need is a browser. Unless you need something very specific you could even use a Chromebook in your needs. Not that I'm suggesting use a Chromebook, but it would be possible.

I'm sorry but the corporate world uses Microsoft Office, and if he's in accounting he absolutely needs native Excel and Windows. Regardless of your opinions on Windows or Linux, this is just a fact of the business world.
 

UnholyVision

Active Member
Regardless of your opinions on Windows or Linux
Seems like you're the one with the opinion... I didn't know the cloud version was lesser, sue me. I find that stupid because Microsoft is trying to push a lot of things to the cloud. It's stupid because if you're trying to push the market to the cloud to target smart devices, you're not going to get the adoption rate you would like missing features.

Why so mad over this? lol
 

Darren

Moderator
Staff member
Seems like you're the one with the opinion... I didn't know the cloud version was lesser, sue me. I find that stupid because Microsoft is trying to push a lot of things to the cloud. It's stupid because if you're trying to push the market to the cloud to target smart devices, you're not going to get the adoption rate you would like missing features.

Why so mad over this? lol

I actually don't know why that triggered me so much yesterday haha. Long night at work so sorry for that.

Linux mentality of push it on every user just rubs me the wrong way when Windows is the de facto corporate choice for a reason (even if you disagree with it). Especially when he explicitly stated he wants Windows. He's an accountant, he wants to be able to login and do his work, not monkey around with a system different from his colleagues and give his IT guy a headache in the process. I'm all for people using Linux if it's helpful for them but particularly in a business user context it just doesn't make sense and would be a hindrance more than a help.
 

UnholyVision

Active Member
Linux mentality of push it on every user just rubs me the wrong way when Windows is the de facto corporate choice for a reason (even if you disagree with it). Especially when he explicitly stated he wants Windows.
I could say the same thing with how you behaved with the Windows mentality... Nonetheless, I didn't force it on him. I even stated he could install Windows 10 on it if he didn't like Linux.. It's literally the first sentence in my post you quoted. Buying a System 76 machine doesn't require you to use the OS on it. It just means you're getting a decent machine with no bloatware if you choose to install Windows.
 

Darren

Moderator
Staff member
I could say the same thing with how you behaved with the Windows mentality... Nonetheless, I didn't force it on him. I even stated he could install Windows 10 on it if he didn't like Linux.. It's literally the first sentence in my post you quoted. Buying a System 76 machine doesn't require you to use the OS on it. It just means you're getting a decent machine with no bloatware if you choose to install Windows.
Fair enough.
 
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