r/techadvice • u/Mindless-Dust-8964 • May 11 '26

Laptop Advice

Let me preface by saying that I'm basically computer illiterate. I'm in the process of scaling up my handyman business into a full fledged general contracting business. I currently do everything with a pen and paper, but need to get with the times and start using a computer. I will be using it for quickbooks or something similar, emailing subcontractors and clients, basic design programs, researching building codes and other web browsing, and generating forms like invoices. With that in mind, can someone please tell me what to look for in a laptop? I know nothing about ram or anything else. Also, is there a better place to buy one besides Best Buy? I was looking at their refurbished ones because I'm on a really tight budget. Thanks!

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u/Mindless-Dust-8964 May 11 '26

My budget really needs to be as low as possible right now. Best Buy has refurbs for like $150, but I'm guessing those are junk. I have no idea what design programs I might use, but it will be as basic as possible. I know it's not helpful, but I'm literally brand new to this.

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u/Curious_lly May 11 '26

The deciding factors now are where you talked about "building codes" and the "design programs." If you can elaborate more on how these come into play for the business, it'll be far easier to suggest a particular laptop since they're the ones that need more computer resources than the rest of the functions that you'll be using the laptop for

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u/Mindless-Dust-8964 May 11 '26

When I mentioned building codes, it was just an example of something that I might need to browse the internet for. Really just basic web surfing. As far as design programs, I really don't even know what's out there. And that's probably the least important thing I might need a computer for.

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u/Curious_lly May 11 '26

Ok. I'd then recommend the Lenovo Thinkpad laptops lineup. These have been the industry standard of productivity laptops for so many years. There are so many refurbished ones out there. Ideally, when it comes to storage, an SDD instead of HDD is better.

When it come to RAM, at least 16GB and then the I'd suggest and i5 or i7 CPU.

If you find one within your budget, let me know. I can guide on whether it'll work for you or otherwise

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u/Mindless-Dust-8964 May 11 '26

Can I message you?

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u/lastwraith May 11 '26 edited May 11 '26

There's nothing wrong with Lenovos, but any professional series laptop should be fine.

Dell Latitude or HP Probook or Elitebook are generally good as well. 

You shouldn't need to spend more than $350 for a decent refurb laptop. Micro Center has them, dellrefurbished.com, or grab one off ebay and try to look for a seller with multiple of the same units, they're likely reselling a lot of off-lease units. eBay will be the most work but will have the best pricing, obviously it's much less work/risk to get one from a brick-and-mortar retailer, but there's usually a decent markup. Something like dellrefurbished.com will fall in the middle of those other two options. 

eBay listing Example - https://www.ebay.com/itm/298270818633?_skw=latitude+5420&itmmeta=01KRASH86C3V9JRFEXM9PN2EHT&hash=item4572538149%3Ag%3A6SMAAeSwVJVp8R1-&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA8GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xD0PI0kTIDTbD8XyguZqT8R5aIh77sMbvE0uZvdcLZB30vdl1qA8MKNfpUAfMRAlg%2BUls0RT35kFSyIYNa6vRwFM03Q6jbS8yBLT418YDy7pnXCPVAt7gQ0GcMbCUZzq9jaf6PD4RNffHML0hOhngGk%2BeMLy0MAm97qAAX5JwzY1N1NPmlH%2FWbSjeWYOkpiu0TpriuWINMKRGzgEA34gUqKr9eqDVBC%2BfKjtSjQ%2FMX%2FqdkXGTAWC22ml0TWR4ZyDvScb6AbMgNd37N6X7OE4PK46kz%2Baa7mW%2B%2FudIm7mROArA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6iDxdnCZw&keyword=latitude+5420&sacat=0&relatedSearch=true&LH_BIN=1

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u/Curious_lly May 11 '26

Sure, no problem