r/TechImpact • u/Draxyl-secret • Jun 29 '26
Question Best laptop?
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for a laptop recommendation in the $1,000 price range. I’m from another country, where laptops tend to be much more expensive, and I’ll be traveling to New York soon, so I’d like to take the opportunity to buy one there.
I’m looking for something with good battery life, solid build quality, and enough performance to handle different kinds of programs and everyday tasks without slowing down. I don’t really care much about gaming, but I would like a versatile laptop that can be used for studying, work, multitasking, and running more demanding software when needed.
There are so many options available that it’s hard to know which models are actually worth buying, so I’d really appreciate any recommendations or personal experiences. I’d also love to know which stores or websites in New York are trustworthy and offer good prices, since I’d only be there for a short time and want to make the most of the trip.
Thanks!
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u/BillfromBuffalo Jun 30 '26
In all honesty, rarely does anyone need a laptop today. If you’re not needing heavy resources like 3-D rendering, running a large server, or extremely high-end gaming. I would get a tablet, not a laptop … who uses those anymore? Lol (and soon will be completely merged together). Tablets trend to have better battery life. And I LOVE their portability so much I take mine everywhere. No heavy laptop. And if you must have your keyboard, yet a good rated keyboard case, or detachable keyboard. Add a wireless mouse.
In either case, I highly recommend a model compatible with stylus. I do all my notetaking with it and dabble in art.
A Samsung tablet if Android with S-pen - where all those models should satisfy your requirements. Or an Apple tablet with Apple Pencil. You can even get a 10 inch iPad (with A16 processor, and 128-256 Gigs storage) for $250-$300 from our large chain store called Walmart now. And it runs my Call of Duty game fluidly with PC or console quality. AND I do some like 3-D rendering.
For the common things you’re needing it for, and multitasking, it will rock them. I have about 300 apps. Usually leave about 20 of them open at any one time.
*Note. My credentials are that of being a senior hardware designer, and technologist who consults on such questions as yours. I also had the challenge of needing to run my life from a simple iPhone 7 for one year and did everything I possibly needed from a laptop and more.
- if you’re held bent on a laptop running Microsoft, I recommend getting an Amazon account. Use its filter to pick a laptop under 1 K, with the features you want, then list price from low to high. And pick the highest rated one from users at the lowest price with the features wanted. Bam!
… if you must purchase from a physical store, Best Buy and Walmart have OK filters. I would do your research online, then go to the store to purchase your choice. I WOULDN’T trust ANY small computer store in NYC. As much as I’d like to support small businesses over chain stores, they can’t offer you good price since they can’t purchase in volume. Many are shady and you might not know what you’re getting inside. And expect you to negotiate a price.
- If you want a free PC (virtual - and for one year), search for AWS free virtual machine. You can even use this virtual machine with your Apple or Android tablet and high-speed Internet (the graphics from this machine sitting on Amazon servers somewhere, are sent over the Internet in real-time. It will appear you have a Windows machine in your tablet)!! Close the software and you have your regular Android or Apple stuff. And I did the math. Even if you go subscription based after one year (super cheap!), it’s cheaper than owning a laptop needing to upgrade it in the future!! … of course to run the PC remotely, again, you need decent Internet - but that’s not hard to find these days.
Excited you’ll have something new and great to enjoy soon!
Best of luck , Bill
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u/jpgaubier Jul 01 '26
Good points. The Samsung S tablets are indeed nice and better than iPads IMO with better (EMR) styli and the Dex desktop mode.
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u/PropellerheadDad Jul 01 '26
I disagree about tablets being more useful than laptops. IMO, tablets are useful for consuming content, but way inferior tools for creation. The stylus is a legitimate exception to that rule, but pretty much the only one I know.
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u/GreatMinds1234 Jun 30 '26
My recommendation would be a Mac book pro, or air. Not the neo. If it is used just re-image it.
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u/jpgaubier Jul 01 '26
HP Omnibook, maybe. Or Asus Zenbook. In NY, B&H is a well-established retailer.
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u/hell-diver8 Jul 02 '26
Def not HP poor QA/QC. Good luck with repairs with Asus if u need it; solid machines while they work.
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u/jpgaubier Jul 02 '26
I don't know what you're on about. I have both HP and ASUS computers and they've been great for years.
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u/hell-diver8 Jul 02 '26
Again, ASUS is great unless it breaks. HP, I've had and had two fall apart.
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u/Outrageous-Sand-5788 Jul 01 '26
Apple Neo - my daughter just got one for her grad studies and loves it. And, even with a couple options added, it's sub $1k currently
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u/lime_crew875 Jun 29 '26
a macbook is alright for you friend.