Computer Purchasing Help

[jollypollys]

I’m a big Mac computer user, unfortunately I cannot use that to run my show as they are always on the go with me to different events. So what I’m looking for is a good pc laptop to run my show, haven’t used a pc in about 12 years so need a little help on a good laptop to run the show. Would like to stay in the $400-600 price range. If anyone can give me an idea of what would be best from Best Buy that would be a huge help. Thank you in advance. 

[TheDucks]

Worst buy  (I don't have a wonderful opinion of them)

If you don't need it to be a Laptop, go for an off lease refurb from Walmart $140,  No Monitor. That is a Business Class i7

Restored Dell Optiplex 9020 SFF High Performance Business Desktop, Intel Core i7-4770 up to 3.9GHz, 16GB RAM, 120GB SSD, WIFI, Windows 10 Pro (Monitor Not Included) (Refurbished) - Walmart.com

You can still buy a monitor and stay in your budget or Use  the VGA  port or HDMI with a display port adapter (it supports 2)

Do note: This is not W11 upgradable (the i7 is 4xxx) FWIW I have the mid tower version I am using to type this

Edited August 28 by TheDucks
added

[jollypollys]

I would love to buy a tower instead of a laptop but want to be able to take the laptop with me and edit/build sequences while on the road while the show isn’t running. Don’t have much time at home to work on it but when on the road I have plenty. I choose Best Buy because of extra discounts there, and a credit card with them. 

[k6ccc]

Big difference in requirements for a sequencing computer vs a show computer.  Playing a show does not take all that much of a computer.  I am playing my 64K channel show on an i5 based small desktop that I paid about $200 in 2017.  For a sequencing computer, get lots of memory, and good video quality.

I'm with TheDucks that in general a desktop is preferred over a laptop - unless you NEED to be able to take it with you.  In your case it sounds like you do.

 

[dgrant]

My usual advice for buying a computer, is to use the maximum amount of money you are going to spend and get the fastest, fanciest and all the bells and whistles you can get for that amount of money. Not a dime more. Remember that it'll be out-dated within three months if its a newly released model. As Jim and others mentioned, you don't need a fancy computer to run the show but what's nice is to have a decent one with good video graphics for sequencing. Remember, more RAM memory helps a lot and a decent CPU makes a huge difference too. Video card, you don't need a gaming card but it wouldn't hurt either. You don't need a dedicated machine for just LOR things so rather than that, get one that you can use for the rest of your normal daily activities. None of us is the same so your requirements are not the same as everyone else. Don't forget that support for Windows 10 is ending next year, so might need to look at a Windows 11 machine.

[jollypollys]

How about this one? 
 

https://www.staples.com/hp-255-g10-15-6-laptop-amd-ryzen-7-7730u-16gb-memory-1tb-ssd-windows-11-pro-a29t2ua-aba/product_24599301

[TheDucks]

1 hour ago, jollypollys said:

How about this one? 
 

https://www.staples.com/hp-255-g10-15-6-laptop-amd-ryzen-7-7730u-16gb-memory-1tb-ssd-windows-11-pro-a29t2ua-aba/product_24599301

You will need a POWERED USBC hub as that only has 1 USBA (what a LOR adapter uses) and a USBC port. The Hubs I saw on Amazon take USBC in and many USBA (3/2. some have extra charge ONLY ports marked with lightning bolt)