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PC/Chromebook/Mac purchasing guide and recommendations

Chromebooks:

Pros:

Cons:

Use case: General Computing (eg. word processing, web browsing, media viewing)

14 inch

https://www.newegg.com/lenovo-14e-81mh000fcf/p/1TS-000E-0E8A8?Item=9SIAD6H9V57704&Description=lenovo%20chromebook%2014&cm_re=lenovo_chromebook_14-_-9SIAD6H9V57704-_-Product

11 inch
https://www.newegg.com/lenovo-100e-chromebook-2nd-gen-81qb000aus/p/N82E16834845666?Item=9SIAEYJAP88210&quicklink=true

Specs

  Minimum Recommended
RAM 4gb 4gb
Screen Resolution 1366x768 1920x1080
Storage 16gb 32gb
End of Support 2025 2026+

 


 

Windows laptops

Pros: Can do almost any computing task, huge software catalog, large variety of form factors and models to choose from.

Cons: More expensive than Chromebooks, cheapest options can be a poor experience, Windows is less intuitive than ChromeOS.

Use case: General Computing, Engineering, programming, content creation.

Specs

  Minimum Recommended
RAM 8gb 16gb
Storage 256gb SSD 256+ SSD
CPU Intel i3, or AMD Ryzen 3 Intel i5, Intel i7, AMD Ryzen 5, or 7
Graphics  Intel integrated Ryzen Vega, Nvidia GTX/RTX graphics
Operating System Windows 10, or Linux  
     

 

Lenovo Ideapad Series *preferably with Ryzen CPU (low cost for good performance)

Acer Nitro 5 Series (affordable entry level to mid range gaming/CAD/Graphic design capable laptops)

Lenovo Thinkpad L,T,X,P series laptops (available in ranges from thin and light to portable workstations for CAD/Gaming/Video Editing

Dell XPS 13 and 15 series (Focus on portability and battery life over raw performance)

Asus TUF series (mid to high end gaming/CAD/Graphic design laptops)

Razer Blade series (high end gaming/CAD/Graphic design capable)

 

 


Apple computers

 

Pros: Good build quality (dependent on model), High end specs compared to low cost PC/Chromebook options, 

Cons: High price for lower performance than PC alternatives, compatible with less existing software than windows, limited choice of devices.

Use case: Using apple exclusive software (eg. garageband, Finalcut,iMovie), general purpose web browsing, content creation.

 

128gb SSD minimum | 256gb recommended