Iso Advice For Buying New Mac

Here's what you might want to know:
I have an old macbook Pro (2011) which quit connecting to the internet a couple of years ago. I was not computer-savvy enough to figure out if I could get an updated OS &/or Safari browser to revive that capability.
Replaced it with a used Compaq (price at pawn shop swayed me) running Win7. It's really acting buggy lately but, despite my ability in the past to use tools from MG to improve performance, I can't find any malware to remove or other solutions. I figure it's old and debilitated. I hate Windows anyway.
I'm a cheapskate, in my late 50's, and any money I spend on a replacement will be sucking funds from my retirement. But life is too short to put up with this cr@ppy Win7 slowpoke.
All my computers have been Windows (because I'm a penny-pincher) except for that one beloved Macbook Pro. I did not want to learn to use Win10, which is why I bought the Win7. I may capitulate and buy a Win 10, but I really want to research macs again. A gal can dream.
My cell phone and Hubby's tablet are both Droids, not iphone/ipad. I am old school and prefer a laptop to a phone for most things.
I use the laptop for writing (my hobby), Netflix, a bit of Facebookin', emails (I MISS THE WAY MAC HAD IT ALL IN ONE PLACE and have never figured out how to put all my various accounts - gmail, hotmail, several yahoo - together, although they all seem to offer that), paying bills, shopping (amazon, walmart, etc). I'd like to learn to use it for recording music, but never figured out garageband (I know, apple is supposed to be intuitive but ... I'm old and not too bright). My internet is ATT (I hate 'em, but nobody seems to like cable or dish any better as an ISP).
The bigger the screen, the better, because I don't have the best eyesight. One reason I got the clunky Compaq was for the 15" screen. I like a large keyboard, but if a new mac would have a usb port, I could use my ergo keyboard.
I sometimes take my computer with me to conferences (I only go to one or two a year, so I could use the old Win7 if needed) and NaNoWriMo write-ins. I often move it from my "gran cave" (where I use it to watch Netflix or dvds when I exercise) to my bedroom, to hang out with Hubby (I surf the net or write while he is on his tablet).
I have a storage device that I used to use on the macbook for Time Machine. Not sure if that would adapt right away to a brand new mac?

It might be worth a month's pay to have a computer I could love again; if so, what laptop type (pro, air, etc.) would you recommend and why?
I've considered seeing if I can upgrade by buying whatever is the latest OS etc and get the ol' macbook so that it would connect to the internet again. Stupid & unrealistic? I don't need a lotta storage since I put things on the hard drive.
A mac mini seems like it's just the brains/CPU and might be less expensive to buy, if I could use it with the monitor and keyboard from the macbook. That would mean I couldn't take it to the library etc.
Best way to buy (even if I am not being cheap)? Don't shudder, but I do purchase things at Best Buy. Also, I am not afraid to buy from a reputable online retailer but ONLY if I know what I want. My town does have a mac/apple store.

Are there any good (reasonably simple and not too expensive) applications for mac that will help me keep track of paying bills? Quicken was one of the few good things about Windows, for Quicken for Mac was garbage. I've tried a few downloads for Windows and made my own Excel spreadsheets (I despise Excel because I am not a clever person), but if I got a mac, I would love to have a way to have bill reminders, total categories, and keep track of stuff to generate reports for income tax.

Please don't feel bad about telling me that I'm unrealistic, or offering other options. I am an old lady and laptop-type computers (Win or mac) are in my comfort zone, even though the rest of the world has moved on to their iphones or droids. Mention anything I need to consider before I plunk down my hard-earned dollars. Sorry to have such a long post, but MG is my go-to for all things tech, and I trust y'all's advice.

 

You can upgrade for free.

 

Thank you for the reply!

I have Snow Leopard, which is more grey-headed than I am, so I'd have to upgrade to ... um ... whatever Lion and then could upgrade for free to Sierra. It's pretty cheap, under $25. to do so. In the past I didn't have much luck downloading it to a usb from Windows and then trying to put it on the mac.

I did make an appt at a mac store to see what it might cost to fix it. I hope that will work. Not in the mood for spending 2 months' salary for a new computer. But life is kinda too short to deal with Windows at my age.

 

You can try a Linux distro on the old Windows 7 PC.
I'm sure plodr will help you.
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/index.php?threads/backup-question.316771/#post-1994900

 

With the W7 pc, you could look at this to install snow leopard
http://www.macbreaker.com/2012/02/how-to-install-mac-os-x-snow-leopard-on.html
Safari........for the mac-this link might help
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6478722?start=0&tstart=0

 

You could try another web brouser
http://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/mac-software/best-mac-web-browser-2017-3639500/
Usb problems- Mac-windows
http://osxdaily.com/2012/04/22/format-drive-mac-pc-compatible/
Unfortunately, I have no personal knowledge of Mac system, but I hope this will help

 

there are 3 places on the internet that i have used and trust implicitly for apple products.
powermax : www powermax com
smalldog : www smalldog com
owc : www macsales com

you can call them up and they have friendly people who can answer any possible question you might have.
i have bought my used macs and ipad from powermax and have always been happy with them.

good luck with it!