Need a New Laptop. Suggestions?

[TSJMajesty]

I'm living dangerously atm, back on an old Win7 machine, but my newer laptop shut down last night, because I forgot to plug it in, and then it wouldn't restart.

I suspect the battery (it mostly lives at home, and I leave it plugged in almost all the time) is the problem, but it's probably time to get a new one anyway (~7 years old, and it gets used a LOT.) Hoping a new battery arriving tomorrow will get me back in, since my last backup was a week ago, and I do have some recent data I don't want to have to recreate.

I've had 3 HP computers, 1 desktop and 2 laptops, so I'm satisfied in staying with HP.

I kinda feel like staying with Intel processor too, but should I consider other brands in 2025? My understanding is that Intel are really the best, and they simply work like they're supposed to.

But, I-5, I-7...? I'm thinking 32 GB Ram, upgradeable to 64, with 1TB SSD. That's all pretty much double what I have now, and the only thing I may add to its workload in the future is some music recording. If so, I don't see myself going crazy with plugins, or tons of tracks.

I use MS Office occasionally, but may be going back into business for myself sometime this year, so it would get more use..., I do 3-D drawing, use my laptop for all my "screen time" (NF, YT, movies, etc.), and I spend time here.

I won't even consider Apple; MS/PC is home for me, pros/cons be damned.

Any tips you could think of, other than don't enter my CC info on this windows 7 laptop? LOL

 

[TSJMajesty]

Oh, and I'm thinking no more than a grand, and I'd like to have a 17" screen.

 

[Aelred]

I think you just need to go to the HP Online store (or local to you) and check specs and prices. You already know which brand you want.

In Australia, our prices are vastly different and no way could I get a 17" screen, 32GB RAM and 1 TB SSD for under $1000. An HP 17", 16GB, 1TB laptop is $2000+ here.

Gaming machines are more expensive again.

 

[norminal]

M4 MacBook

 

[Allexi]

M4! ( I have one, flawless )

 

[Aelred]

There is no such thing as a flawless computer or chip architecture. If you are running a lot of Windows based apps, x86 emulation is NOT as good as an x86 processor, whatever spin you may see. And yes, I do know about ARM and x86 based chips and intructions sets.

M4 have reduced power needs, x86 for raw performance, is the short answer you' find on the Net.

But of course, say "No MAC!" online and everyone will recommend a MAC.

 

[laxu]

If it has to be Windows, then I'd probably look at Framework laptops. No experience with them myself, but I like the concept.

 

[la szum]

How about a Golden Retriever??

 

[sleewell]

just bought this yesterday, hasnt gotten here yet

https://a.co/d/99Wyhs4

 

[Aelred]

If it has to be Windows, then I'd probably look at Framework laptops. No experience with them myself, but I like the concept.

I have no experience with them myself, but the reviews I've seen are bad - loud, noisy, glitch-prone, flimsy etc. https://www.theverge.com/24185827/framework-laptop-16-six-months-later-review

The OP said HP 17" screen laptop with 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD. It's reasonably specific.

 

[unix-guy]

ASUS TUF A17.

Not HP and not Intel but I've been very happy with mine.

 

[la szum]

I have an Asus 17" screen that has lasted more than a decade.

You grab anything yet, @TSJMajesty ??

 

[Aelred]

ASUS TUF A17 is a gaming laptop and quite expensive in Australia, fwiw. The screen quality is often criticized.

 

[TSJMajesty]

I have an Asus 17" screen that has lasted more than a decade.

You grab anything yet, @TSJMajesty ??

No, because the more I looked and narrowed down the choices, the more questions I had.

I found one that I thought was the best choice, but one review was quite negative, this person had nothing but problems, with horrible customer service. I want to do my best due diligence if I'm going to spend $1000 on a new laptop..., I want that thing to last as long as possible.

So I googled for best quality, and now I think I need to consider 2 other things:
1) Just get a Chromebook (which I was completely unaware of) for all my internet stuff, and
2) Figure out which brand/model would be the most reliable, whether that's an HP, Dell, or a Think Pad, and back down on the size to save enough money to buy both, since when I use it for my CAD drawings, I always use my large monitor anyway. Same thing if I do decide on doing some recording in the next 5 years. Get a smaller one that has good power specs.

That way I'd put a lot less use on the more expensive one, and hopefully be able to do both for about the same amount of money.

Plus, I'm not giving up on getting my laptop to work (the new battery didn't fix it), so I plan to find a local shop that thinks they can get it started, and I'll pick their brain on my concerns for the best choices for me, based mostly on reliability.

 

[Aelred]

If you are getting a Chromebook, does the other machine need to be a laptop/portable?

 

[TSJMajesty]

If you are getting a Chromebook, does the other machine need to be a laptop/portable?

Hmmm, probably not.

 

[unix-guy]

ASUS TUF A17 is a gaming laptop and quite expensive in Australia, fwiw. The screen quality is often criticized.

Not really expensive in the US.

I didn't buy mine for gaming, I bought it for DAW and general purpose use and it has very good specs.

No issues with the screen but again I'm not gaming...

 

[Aelred]

No issues with the screen but again I'm not gaming...

TSJ mentioned CAD drawings, so I thought the screen quality may be an issue.

 

[ᛗᛜᛜᚺDᛜᎶ Ꮤᛨᚳᚴ]

I have purchased all but one of my laptops in the past couple decades+ from Dell outlet. The thing I like about the outlet is, same warranty as new products even if it is refurbished, scratch/dent or returned (those are the 3 categories but the do occasionally have some overstock or clearance items as well). I took a quick look and the nearest match was shy on the RAM spec of 32 GB (most had 16GB until you got into the $1.3k range), but I am pretty sure you could expand one of the $700 ones to meet your RAM spec and still be under $1k. If you do want to spend a bit more, the XPS line from dell and the AlienWare (gaming) series are both worth considering. The Precision laptops are nice and durable, but I think they were starting at about $1700 when I looked just now. Best wishes!