Hi
As the title reads, would be keen to learn what laptop I should buy.
Requirements:
It is mainly the house general laptop for light browsing. Not looking to blow the budget.
Let me know!
Thanks.
Just get a Chromebook and use Google docs.
Except you get less functionality for the same price. Can still use Gdocs on Windows.
Nobody I know IRL has been totally happy with a Chromebook over a normal laptop.
I had to give my chromebook away before I threw it through a window. No right clicky, me no likey.
They definitely aren't for everyone.
Personally, 2nd hand M1 MacBook Air.
If not that, then yeah a chromebook is good enough
Nothing beats M1 Macbook Air.
It has probably the best screen and battery life from price perspective.
Nothing beats M1 Macbook Air.
Depends on op, if theyve never used mac os, the transition from windows is pretty jarring and can take a relatively long time…
Kind of like when you adopt an abused dog, takes the dog a short while to unlearn the toxic Windows habits. But after just a few weeks Windows will be a distant memory…
What happens when the motherboard fries, how do you get your data, or in the future when the memory / ssd is no longer enough for your uses?
time machine, icloud
I am currently paying apple care plus for $100/yr.
Also have proper backups
Copy it from a external HDD…
Or OneDrive etc
why not just use a tab(iPad) instead? its more portable, lightweight etc.
Why not use a smartphone instead? It's more portable, lightweight, etc.
other than the op request for light ms word work, you have a valid point.
Please
If you just need for in-frequent web browsing and simple word documents, purchase a simple Windows Laptop will be a good choice. This is refurbrished laptop is elling for $298(https://www.jw.com.au/product/manufacture-refurbished-acer-a…) but it comes with Acer 12 months warranty. Acer is not famous for its durability but it should be fine to be used at home for simple computing tasks. (RAM is also upgradable if needed).
OP, if its just for household use, think about whether you need a laptop. At your preferred price point a laptop is going to either have to be used, a chromebook, or have a small screen and not much expandability.
A screen, a mini-pc and a wireless keyboard/mouse might do the job better and cost less.
MacBook for sure. If you don't know much about laptops then you'll have the same learning curve with macOS than Windows 11 or 12 or whatever it's at these days, only macOS gets easier the more you use it whereas Windows still makes me want to kill myself. Office on Mac is better than Windows Office imo. Battery life is great on M series Macs. You'll look cooler with an aluminium Mac than a plastic Windows laptop. The large glass trackpad is a dream, the keyboard is quality. Screen quality is great, in comparison some cheap PC laptops still use crappy TN displays. You should treat yourself to a Mac, it'll last years longer too.
macOS gets easier the more you use it
… same can be said for Windows, arguably
whereas Windows still makes me want to kill myself.
Why?
You'll look cooler with an aluminium Mac than a plastic Windows laptop.
Screen quality is great, in comparison some cheap PC laptops still use crappy TN displays.
Well what do you expect, you're comparing a $1.2K+ device with a $300 one. Not all Windows laptops are plastic builds with a cheap 1366x768 TN screen? Maybe a decade ago, sure, and/or if your max budget is $400 which OP's is not.
OP not looking to blow budget so unless they're willing to get a refurb/second hand then MacBooks are most likely off the table
Otherwise yes, MacBook for battery life, build quality and long term use
Chromebook is your goto, just get a reasonable resolution screen - go to a big store (JB etc) look at Chromebooks, choose the screen you like and negotiate a price using internet best price as a guide.
Basically every laptop deal posted in that range ticks your boxes.
Maybe something like 14 inch for best balance between decent sized screen and portability eg this lenovo