they screwed me so I need a new basic laptop suggestions?

[Serk]

I have one thought on PCs. I bought my mom a PC with an Intel i3 and it was painfully slow. I'd definitely pay extra for at least an i5 (or AMD equivalent).

While it always helps to go up on CPU, IMHO on a modern Windows PC RAM is even more important to overall system performance. (And unfortunately due to the thirst of AI data centers the price of RAM has skyrocketed as of late, although it's started coming down a smidgen.)

I'd recommend a minimum of 16GB of RAM for a modern Windows PC if at all possible... As with most things, the more you can swing the better. I run 64GB of RAM in my laptop and my desktop, but I also push mine a lot more than the average person.

A nice think about RAM is that you can usually add it later. Kind of like chrome on a Valkyrie.

True, although on modern laptops it can be a bit tedious to get to it. Also quite often they populate all available sockets, so you can't just add RAM, you have to replace what's already there. I..E. an 8GB machine will have 2 sockets each with a 4GB stick in it, so to go to 16GB from 8 you can't just add an 8GB stick, you have to remove what it came with and add two 8GB sticks...

[F6Dave]

True, although on modern laptops it can be a bit tedious to get to it. Also quite often they populate all available sockets, so you can't just add RAM, you have to replace what's already there. I..E. an 8GB machine will have 2 sockets each with a 4GB stick in it, so to go to 16GB from 8 you can't just add an 8GB stick, you have to remove what it came with and add two 8GB sticks...

Same with chrome. You buy one piece and you have to buy 3 more.

[scooperhsd]

I have one thought on PCs. I bought my mom a PC with an Intel i3 and it was painfully slow. I'd definitely pay extra for at least an i5 (or AMD equivalent).

While it always helps to go up on CPU, IMHO on a modern Windows PC RAM is even more important to overall system performance. (And unfortunately due to the thirst of AI data centers the price of RAM has skyrocketed as of late, although it's started coming down a smidgen.)

I'd recommend a minimum of 16GB of RAM for a modern Windows PC if at all possible... As with most things, the more you can swing the better. I run 64GB of RAM in my laptop and my desktop, but I also push mine a lot more than the average person.

A nice think about RAM is that you can usually add it later. Kind of like chrome on a Valkyrie.

Desktop PC - usually pretty simple as long as you can get the proper memory for the motherboard.

Laptop / (other portable PCs) - not so much. Small screws,tight spaces inside the cases, etc. making adding RAM to a portable more difficult than a desktop. When I bought my current laptop - I had RAM maxed out , then swapped the harddrive for a 1TB SSD (also a great performance booster). In fact -  I would go so far to state that everyone should be using an SSD for boot drive / virtual memory, and for apps you use alot. Harddrives have their place, mostly for data.

[Hook#3287]

pros and cons of laptop

vs

notebook  OUT!!

vs

chromebook OUT!! NADA!!!


vs

digital interface implants into my brain.  OUT!! Until Serk tells me they work and there isn't shutoff switch controlled by others


Laptop it is!!!

So, do we have a winner?

I'm hoping you'll do all the heavy lifting on research 

[Timbo1]

I've had good luck with Dell Laptops both for business and personal use.  When I bought for personal use I bought from the Dell Outlet "Scratch & Dent" to save a few bucks but I was never able to find any blemishes.
Dell Outlet / Scratch & Dent

I use Passmark CPU Benchmark to compare the different processors.

[98valk]

I have one thought on PCs. I bought my mom a PC with an Intel i3 and it was painfully slow. I'd definitely pay extra for at least an i5 (or AMD equivalent).

While it always helps to go up on CPU, IMHO on a modern Windows PC RAM is even more important to overall system performance. (And unfortunately due to the thirst of AI data centers the price of RAM has skyrocketed as of late, although it's started coming down a smidgen.)

I'd recommend a minimum of 16GB of RAM for a modern Windows PC if at all possible... As with most things, the more you can swing the better. I run 64GB of RAM in my laptop and my desktop, but I also push mine a lot more than the average person.

 

I'm finding many with 16GB in the $300-400 range.

So far I'm finding the best deals at BJs. many on sale until 4/21

thanks for your help