My preference is for a Desktop PC. But I seldom need the portability. A desktop PC is typically easier (and a lot cheaper) to repair and upgrade. But eh convenience of a notebook or laptop is easy to understand.
For this post, I will mostly discuss Notebook Personal Computers (PC's).
If you want a Windows OS (operating system) Personal Computer, Then I'd suggest
Windows 7. If you cannot find one in a store, they are easy enough to find on-line. (See examples below.) MS Windows is a real dog IMHO, but sometimes you gotta have it. But if not, consider
Linux.
There are a few things about
Win-7 that are making me crazy at times now, but it is probably mostly my lack of familiarity with it (which is rapidly changing, as am now coming in contact with more of them). All-in-all, based on what I've heard, and what I've experienced, I'd be inclined to say that Win-7 may be the best release of the Win-OS to date. On it's initial release, it got a fair amount of
praise in reviews, which is not very common with Microsoft products.
Win-8 has generally gotten
lousy reviews in general, in fact less than is typical for a Win OS release, which sounds pretty bad. The main complaint I've seen is basically that they tried too hard to make it look like the interface of a hand-held device (like a mobile phone, or a "Tablet PC"). I've not used it yet, but it sounds really awkward to me, and likely will be a difficult transition for a lot of folks.
Something you have to understand is that the Software is what drives the Computer Industry... and it is what forces you to have to upgrade to a new PC eventually. Buying a PC with really robust "Hardware Resources" will allow that machine to operate at a decent speed for a longer period of time... before it needs an upgrade, or all-out replacement.
RAM (random access memory) is the biggest deciding factor here (on speed vs. longevity). The more RAM you get, the longer the PC will last (assuming no failures anywhere). I'm guessing that for most folks, with Win-7, 4GB RAM will be fine... but 8GB won't hurt. Sales people will try and sell you a 2GB RAM PC... but they want you to come back in 2 years to buy another one too.
Again... Notebooks are nice for the portability, but they are expensive and difficult (if not impossible) to upgrade (as well as repair), so when it gets too slow to use (or fails), it is often easier to replace them (as they get older). Not very "Green"... but there it is.
So with this in mind... by spending a bit more now, any PC (even a desktop) will be more likely to "live longer" (in terms of the hardware not getting outdistanced by the software, and getting painfully slow too soon).
Another option is to just get what you can (or want to) afford... use it for as long as you can... and then load
Linux on it, and get a few more years use out of the machine (assuming there are no hardware failures). Helps with the "Green" issue. And there are plenty of
Lightweight Linux Distributions out there, that can run very well on older hardware (you still need to look at the spec's though). This would be somewhat similar to getting a "Chromebook" now. (See below.)
So... here are two examples of Win-7 PC's... and why...
... these are BOTH "64-bit" machines...
$730 ... Tiger Direct
Win-7 Pro - 8GB RAM - Dual Core Intel i5 2.6GHz CPU
- 17.3" Display - DVD-RW - 7# (weight) - 4hr battery
- This comes pre-loaded with Win-7... and has Win-8 in the box, to install later if you want.
- Notice the RAM. This is a bit of a "Powerhouse" now... but this PC will likely run fast for you for a long time.
- This has a nice, big display... but it is heavier too.
- This is a very feature-rich machine. and will do just about anything you want.
- This is a "Business Class" machine.
- It is a very good deal... the $100 Instant Savings is an added bonus. This instant savings offer is a good thing to look for at Tiger. They are usually exceptional deals.
$350 (w/ free shipping) ... Amazon.com
Win-7 Home Premium - 4 GB RAM - Dual Core Intel Celeron 1.5 GHz CPU
- 11.6" Display - 3.3# - 6.5hr battery
!!! No DVD or CD (optical) drive... but has build-in card reader (plus it will accept USB flash drives, which are very easy).
- Look at the reviews... this looks like a very nice PC.
- Again... notice the RAM. I'm guessing it will be fine "as is" though, for most folks. But you can upgrade to 8GB RAM (see user Q&A), but this would only be efficient if you can order it that way.
- If you have "Amazon Prime", this product qualifies, and I find that to be a bonus (because they tend to be more reliable products/sellers).
- If you want to compare performance... the Antec PC in the front office is a Win-7 Pro OS running on 4GB RAM.
Again... either of the above PC's could be converted to a Linux PC if they "get too slow" in a few years, which could extend the life of the hardware another couple of years or more.
Don't forget to consider the size... if you already have any accessories like a carry case, etc. No point in buying all that stuff all over again, if you don't have to.
However...
If you use your notebook mostly for Internet use... especially if mostly on Gmail and Google Drive, etc... then you may want to consider a...
$250 - 11.6" Screen - 2.4# - 6.5hr battery
I would urge you to seriously consider a Chromebook (I'd suggest an Acer, but I have had really good experience with Samsung products too)... especially if you are concerned about costs... and if your computing needs are not very "resource intensive" (such as HD [video] streaming, editing video, heavy-duty multitasking, etc.).
Chromebooks are based on the Linux OS.
They are intended to be "Cloud" machines (strictly for Internet use)... but they have enough "local apps" so that you can stay busy off-line as well. The thing is, these days it is very easy to be on-line constantly, and reliably.
Be aware that you can ONLY use Google developed apps on this machine. It is NOT a traditional Linux PC, that will run any Linux app you can download off the web. This is not much of an issue though, as Google Apps covers a WIDE range of tasks... and many of them are "free".
Chromebooks are probably better than just about anything commonly on the market right now, in terms of the software not outdistancing the hardware too soon... ensuring a longer life for your money.
Have fun!
:-)
