# Once more: Laptop Recommendations Please **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 6, 2018, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-more-laptop-recommendations-please/820873 "2018-09-06T13:45:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2018, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-more-laptop-recommendations-please/820873/1 "2018-09-06T13:45:13Z")
I know we’ve done these many times before, but anybody got a rec for a laptop? I kinda know what specs I’m looking for: 14-17", i7, 16 GB, in the $900-1500 range. Thee are so many different ones out there, do I just sort of pick one? I’d like to hear if you got one you like and why or why not. Any reliability issues, any other specs I should be on the lookout for, etc. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2018, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-more-laptop-recommendations-please/820873/2 "2018-09-06T14:00:56Z")
I have a Dell 2-in-1 laptop that I like, although my primary system is a desktop. As you said, there are many out there. Do you want something small and light? Do you want a full-siize keyboard or a 15" or 17" screen? Is there a Microsoft Store or a Best Buy near you? Both have computers from different manufacturers on display, so you can try them. That might help you narrow down what you like. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2018, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-more-laptop-recommendations-please/820873/3 "2018-09-06T14:48:33Z")
It doesn’t need to be small and light. It’s going to spend most of the time on my desk, very rarely going on business trips. I’d prefer a full size keyboard, but I suppose I could always get an external one. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2018, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-more-laptop-recommendations-please/820873/4 "2018-09-06T14:58:36Z")
Well,what are you going to do with it? If it’s just some web surfing, document creation and so forth, you can satisfy the requirements with something even less than $900. And a Google Chromebook might even satisfy your needs (and I think they’re like $300). ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2018, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-more-laptop-recommendations-please/820873/5 "2018-09-06T15:35:33Z")
As always, it’s what you’re going to do with it. You can get a $150 refurbished laptop for the basics or a $2000 laptop for high end games. Some notes on things to consider: Touchscreen? _Mrs. FtG_ has a laptop with one and she loves it. Not so much for me. What type of “hard drive”. A 500Gig solid state drive is wonderful but costs you. Even faster (if done right) are the newer type M.2 drives. But again more $. Do you want a mix? A small SSD for the OS, etc. and a bigger one for data such as videos? Connectors? Do you need HDMI out? HDMI in? How many USB connectors, esp. USB3? One thing to note is that a Chromebook that seems less powerful might actually be faster due to a more efficient OS. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2018, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-more-laptop-recommendations-please/820873/6 "2018-09-06T17:18:24Z")
[Notebookcheck.org](http://Notebookcheck.org) has the most comprehensive reviews I’ve seen. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2018, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-more-laptop-recommendations-please/820873/7 "2018-09-06T17:41:03Z")
I’m on my second HP Envy, 17" with B&O sound. It’s not a touch screen, as I don’t like them. Intel Core i7 12GB Ram 64 bit W10 Nvidia GEForce DVD drive 3 USB ports HDMI port Wi-Fi Touchpad Bought it at Costco and it’s in your price range. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2018, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-more-laptop-recommendations-please/820873/8 "2018-09-06T18:18:37Z")
A lot of people don’t like the keyboards (called chiclet style) on most laptops. So try it out before spending $1000 (although using it on the desk you can get an external keyboard): [http://www.notebookreview.com/feature/laptop-keyboards-explained-best-worst-keyboard-tech/](http://www.notebookreview.com/feature/laptop-keyboards-explained-best-worst-keyboard-tech/)