Strategy For Choosing A Laptop?

I am having trouble choosing a new Windows 10 laptop. Would appreciate some guidance on my strategy.

I have a 7 1/2 year old ASUS Windows 7 laptop. I want to be proactive and decide on a new laptop I would purchase should the ASUS get to the point where it needs to be replaced. Unfortunately I am having trouble finding a good replacement. Perhaps the problem is my strategy?

My specs: web surfing, Excel, Word, photo editing, no gaming, movie streaming; reasonably fast processor, 8GB+ memory, 500GB+ hard drive, at least 14" screen (not touch), 2+ USB ports, HDMI port, audio out jack, Windows 10 Home, Very good reliability!!!

My strategy: Once I find a laptop that meets my specs, I read user reviews. If user reviews are not good, I reject the machine. I do realize that folks with negative opinions are more likely to post reviews. Plus a percentage of users may be unhappy because they do not underrstand how to configure their machine.

But I don't know a better way to find the machine I want!!

Comments? Advice?

 

I think I should ask how much money do you have available.
I might check out whether your present machine can run Windows 10. It it does the maximize the RAM and buy a SSD drive.
Good luck,
s.

 

Your budget is definitely a factor here i think

but most websites allow you to filter/narrow your search per screen sizes. hard drive, brand etc..

provided you live in the USA

here are example from bestbuy
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/search...= 14 inch laptop&type=page&usc=All Categories

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...04804 4814 4021 600566986 600004720 600470742


most people are streaming things as opposed to storing them on a laptop, for me personally as far as a laptop goes 256 gb hard drive is enough.
I would recommend getting a SSD as it does increase the speed of loading and launching programs

here is an example of a new hp 14'' laptop with a new 8th gen processor sold in staples

while it doesn't have a 500 gb hard drive it does have a 256 SSD which besides storage space IMO is better than a traditional spinning drive.
Using a SSD also gives you a bit of a longer battery life

 

Sorry -- I should hve indicated the following:
(1) Budget: $700 or less
(2) Existing laptop cannot run Windows 10; in any case, I doubt it will last
(3) A SSD of 500GB adds a lot to the cost; not an option

 

If you want a machine that will work well you will need a SSD drive.
256GB drives can be found cheaply.

You can always clone the laptop and replace drives. Might have to resize the partitions but it's very easy.
As long as you make backups.
You asked for

Good luck
s.

 

A brand name 500GB SSD can be had for less than $100.

Yes, that is more than a 500GB hard drive. But SSDs take up less space and weigh less (think about lugging a notebook around), consume less power (think battery run times!), make no noise and generate less heat (always a problem with notebooks). And with no moving parts, there is no reason you cannot expect the SSD to outlive the rest of the new notebook.

In terms of the extra costs, I realize it is all relative but when you spread those costs over the next 7+ years, and factor in the extra performance you get from a SSD and the savings in time saved (boot speeds never cease to amaze me and I've been SSD-only for nearly 4 years), and increased productivity, I call SSDs an investment that turns into a bargain in a very short time frame.

Go SSD. If that means you have to wait an extra month or two to build up the budget, then wait. Go SSD and you will never look back.

 

OK folks, you have convinced me. I'll increse the budget for the SSD.

Thanks!!!

 

You will be glad you did.