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If you're just using for work and school and nothing too media intense, if you're trying to not spend a lot look for a Dell or HP with an Athion processor instead of an Intel processor. Solid hardware but you'll save a couple of hundred with the AMD processor.
A Chromebook could do the trick if you're comfortable enough wth using G Suite vs Microsoft Office.
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I don't think Athlon processors have been available for a decade.
rysen?
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What's your budget?
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@billinirvine. You're right, my bad I useZd AMD and Athlon interchangeably but the new AMDs are Ryzen now
I wonder if Intel still has Celeron processors. Those are cheaper too.
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I use mine 4-5 hours a day...has worked very well...LG from Costco.
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I think her budget is free, it’s implied in the title of her blog.
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Budget? I guess like 4 to $500.00
It's not really the money that's the issue.
If it is something that will last longer than 4-5 years.
Unless I am asking too much? Are these things built to last? or built to buy a new one every few years?
The last few times I went in to Best Buy I just felt like I was being up-sold on things I just didn't need. Every time I asked a question, I didn't really get an answer. I never feel like the person selling me the computer, knows computers. Like they are just telling me what I have already read.
So I thought... who loves computers?? and it hit me!! HX members! DUH!
The last one I bought had an Intel whatever and it was about 300 and some change.
It's fine but just slow. I rather upgrade and pay the price for something that is longer lasting.
BUT like I said I just don't need the bells and whistles..
Hope that makes sense.
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Best laptop around five hundred bucks
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Id say stay away from best buy, Microcenter in Tustin is the current mecca of computer stores (how I do miss Fry's though), they really take care of their customers
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M1 MacBook is the best bang for your buck. It includes office software equivalents and you own that software forever.
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I'm not a computer guy, Iam sure my fellow HXers, are more tech savvy But........
I got an Ebay 17" HP factory refurbished for $500.. 512 gigs,8 gig ram, backlit
keyboard,touchscreen,SSD..quickstart and it kicks ass..Got it in Oct. 2025 for my birthday and it
kicks ass..They have others, even cheaper with warranty..Good luck..
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Mmm me too Mac 💻 pls 💋 😘 💖
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Mac will last the longest. Had my last one for over 10 years. Recently replaced last year with another MacBook Pro.
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So, I have never owned or used an apple product!
Like if you handed me your phone, I wouldn't know what to do.
I'm sure I would be able to figure it out... but I think I may be a bit more comfortable and confident with something else!
Thank you to everyone who chimed in! I appreciate your time and input!!
X's and O's
 DL
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Mac book will last a long time but yes. It is a bit complicated to use. I have tried one and did not like it.
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Mac is literally the easiest thing to use. Windows is a lousy version of what started as a Mac thing.
I used PCs for business and they worked better for heavy spreadsheets than Macs but for just personal computing and fucking around a Mac is easy. Also for media shit like music and visual stuff Mac is super user friendly.
Of course since Jobs died there are a lot more bugs in the Mac ecosphere but I will still generally take anything Apple these days over anything PC.
That said PC shit is dirt cheap.
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I am using a msi laptop for 6 years running and it still runs like a champ. I considered getting a new one but then I realized why bother when this thing is still so good
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I would suggest HP brand with Microsoft and with geek squad protection in case it's breaks.
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Hi Dahlia! Based on your budget and usage, my first recommendation would be to get a MacBook Air for around $700. It’s perfect for school and perfect for a little bit of media editing, video editing etc, especially if you already have an iPhone. The other reason why I recommend this is because of the Apple Store. When you have an issue, you can take the laptop to them. Accidents happen, and this is the best option to have some sort of lease of mind.
If you need to get a lower budget laptop, I would stick with DELL, HP or ASUS. Go to Best Buy or Costco and see which device is the size and color your like. But imo, $500 is going to get you a very basic laptop that isn’t too high quality.
I’d be more than happy to accompany you to a store, or send you a few links on a decent deal… I have tons of experience with laptops and computer repair.
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Hey joe, do I need to upgrade to Windows 11..
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I would definitely say go with any Macbook Air at an M2 (Apple Silicon) with 16GB and that should last you a good 10 years. Currently running an M4 Air 15" with 24GB and it is more than enough for school and music production and DJ stuff. The M2 Air 13" that I have with 16GB is still faster than most need and runs great. So if you are looking for longevity, I would say go with a MacBook Air with Apple Silicon. More importantly, you can turn off the AI stuff that you do not want or need at the Operating System level.
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Power BI has become an everyday use for me.
I am struggling!!!!! I will eventually get it, right now I feel like I am going in circles.
Anywho, I do not believe I can use a MacBook.
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Power BI data analytics? Browser or do you install it?
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Not going to lie I'm not a fan of MacBooks but only because I got one in 2012 for audio engineering school and it still works amazing HOWEVER apple stop letting me update it about 6 years ago so I can't use safari and a few other things because now it's outdated . Tells me to update to use the browser but then tells me my computer is too old to update haha . I still use it for movie and music editing but I got a MacBook air a few years ago to switch things over and the damn thing doesn't have a usb port so it's just a little more complicated to use certain things with
I would have kept my old laptop for life but it's like they force you to upgrade after a while
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Way back I used to get cheap laptops, but would have to swap them out every year or 2 because they would break or get viruses. I have 2 Macs a pro version from 2013 or 2014 and an Air I got last year. The original one works fine still, but I wanted a better camera and something lighter.
Apple was actually how I started to build my credit also years ago and you can pay off your product interest free with low monthly payments.
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Any M-chip Mac will run circles around any PC laptop within twice its price.
Still running an M1 base Macbook Air. Thought the battery was shitting on me so I bought an M3 base Macbook Air to replace it and it is still sitting in the box.
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I hear you DL,
My very first computer was an Apple Macintosh. I used it solely to write my school papers in high school and then college. It was really a typewriter with a screen where you could edit much faster than using white-out. I had no Internet back then and really did not care for it. It had a floppy drive where you could save your work, take it to a local printer and print your stuff.
Like you, aside from my Apple Mac, I have never used any Apple products as in my line of work, Windows hardware integration vs macOS are preferred.
I've been a long life Dell user for PC's and I have not been let down. Just invest properly and smart.
Attaching a link to a laptop that may or not be of interest to you.
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Had my Lenovo (formerly IBM) for more than 6 yrs and do mostly work on it and it has held up well.
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Anything at the following link seems like a good deal
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?browsedCategory=pcmcat1516833528361&id=pcat17071&qp=condition_facet%3DCondition%7ERefurbished&st=pcmcat1516833528361_categoryid%24pcmcat138500050001
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| There are 29 comments on this blog. |
