this post was submitted on 14 Jan 2024
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I have an eight-year-old laptop that needs replacing and I’m paralyzed. What are the most reliable ones now? Do I need a desktop for CAD? Pros and cons of operating systems (and where do I find them?) Browsers ditto? Where do I find answers that aren’t just product marketing?

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

I'll give you some general advice and am happy to answer any follow up questions you might have.

Upfront, I recommend getting a laptop from a well known vendor running Windows. If you aren't looking to go on a technology learning expedition, just need something that will work, and will have a warranty and a support line if things go wrong, you can't beat a vendor. Dell is probably where I would look, but Microsoft surface, and Thinkpad's are also good.

Going with Windows from a vendor supplied laptop will maximize the amount of support you have and the number of things that just work.

If you are looking for more of a technology project, I'd need to know more about what your tolerance is for fiddling with technology or your computer not working.

As for CAD, as others said, check the recommended software specs and match your computer to them. Make sure you give yourself plenty of fast storage like m.2.

For browsers, I use Firefox. I'd recommend Firefox as being a good balance between privacy and just working with plugin support. But chrome and other chromium based browsers like edge also just work.

Consider getting a Microsoft 365 personal or family account. For $100/year you get cloud storage, computer backups, and the local and online office suite, and it all integrates well into Windows.

If any of the above assumptions are wrong, I'm happy to update recommendations.

Finally, how do you learn to fish? It takes time to come up to speed on things, so slowly learning, finding neutral review sites like maybe Tom's hardware, and doing your own testing.

Lots of people will give you opinionated advice, so don't be afraid to be skeptical. Think about what's important to you, whether that be just working, or privacy, or availability of support materials.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 10 months ago

Right now I’m skeptical of anyone who is trying to sell me something. Thanks for mentioning Tom’s Hardware, I’ll take a look at them. One of my concerns is privacy, and I’d rather not store things on the cloud. Of course, maybe it’s too late for privacy, but that’s a whole ‘nother question!