Electronics

[jellyBEAN]

My computer (laptop) is an HP and it is over 10 years old.  It has developed a strange oval shaped black splotch on the left side of the screen.  It doesn't bother me much - it started out as a small splotch but recently grew to a solid larger shape.

So I am assuming I am going to need a new laptop.  I have never used any Apple products.  My laptops have always been HP and I expect to stay with that.  I only use it for email, facebook, google things, sometimes I used MS word to type documents, so nothing extraordinary.

I guess this means I will also need a new printer.  My printer is a dinosaur also, and when I get the new laptop I want an easy to use and match up printer (wireless?) with it.  I really dread this as I am not into tech, and I like things just as they are.

MS keeps sending me notices my computer will no longer be able to update after 10/25/25 or thereabouts.  It will not accept MS 11 I think is the reason cause of its age.

Any suggestions?  I bought this one on the Q over 10 years ago.

[Meowingkitty]

Go to Best Buy and ask what's best for you. They also have the Geek Squad available to help if you need help with the printer. I would never ever buy any electronics from QVC. They have yesterdays technology today. Old outdated, to many accessories you don't need etc. 

[gardenman]

Given your computer usage, pretty much anything from a Chromebook on will do. You won't go too far wrong with anything. Everything on the market should handle that workflow with little trouble.

I'd recommend going somewhere (Best Buy, Walmart, Target, etc) where you can get your hands on the computers and try out the keyboards on the laptops. Look at the screen to see if it's focused, but don't focus too much on the brightness as stores can tweek that in settings and know a brighter display will sell more computers. Find something you're comfortable with and don't worry about the stats. Pretty much anything on the market will handle your workload without an issue.

With Prime Day coming up, everyone will be trying to match Amazon's deals, so Walmart, Target, Best Buy, etc, will all be offering good deals in July. In your case, the feel of the keyboard and the display are your big considerations. Those are your primary issues. Processor, memory, GPU, all don't matter a lot with your use case. Find a keyboard you're comfortable with and a nice display (once again, the brightness can be adjusted to try and fool you, so if a display looks dim, try adjusting the brightness yourself.)

If money is an object, then look into the used computer market. Newegg has a refurbished HP 840 G6 Elitebook laptop for just $199 with free shipping and a one-year warranty. It has Windows 11 pre-installed. Most big companies these days rent computers and then turn them back in after a year or two and they get refurbed and resold at bargain prices. There is a big glut of used computers on the market driving down prices. Many have seen little to no usage while rented, so you're often getting an essentially new computer that's been sitting around unused for a year or two. Many places (Walmart, Newegg, Amazon, etc.) sell refurbished computers at very good prices.

[I am still oxox]

We are an Apple family all the way my hubby just got a new 1 terabyte memory Mac book. His was about 8 years old and he collects music. We love our Macs etc. I could never go back to using anything else.

Not sure why you think you will need a new printer with your new computer?

[SilleeMee]

Acer Chromebook PLUS Model 514 (CB514-5H/ CB514-5HT) Intel CORE and google AI.

Look around for pricing. The one I have sells for around 325. No need for antivirus. The PLUS models are very fast and have tons of storage. Durable hardware and top-rated.

[Toot1920]

@jellyBEAN have you considered a tablet? You can do everything that you need it to do. You can get a separate keyboard if you find that easier to type on. There are different brands if you don't want to go the iPad route. They're more portable, easier, and faster to log on. I very rarely use my laptop. I would agree about going to Best Buy. They have a lot of experience and you can touch and feel laptops and tablets. The one thing about buying from QVC (and some of their tablets and laptops are not older models but are current) is that you get a lot of additional stuff, including things that you might not need or use. I would write down any questions that you might have before you go to check out any laptops, that way you won't forget what you wanted to know. Regarding your printer, is it capable of wireless printing? If it is, you might not need a new one, especially if you don't print much. 

[deeva]

I buy my laptops directly from the manufacturer. Then I can customize it with a different processor or add more memory.

Best Buy has become a joke where I live. There's never enough employees. And they basically read what's on the spec sheet for electronics, and have no additional knowledge.

[PinkyPetunia]

A few years ago I bought a new Windows 11 Lenovo laptop from Costco.  I bought a lower end model (low cost).  The worker there tried to steer me away, saying it is not powerful, others are much better.

I bought it and it worked out fine for me.  I don't do anything heavy duty.  It had some feature that restricted apps that were not Microsoft, but I disabled it after googling the issue.

I thought I could return it at Costco if I had problems with it but that was not the case.  I will buy my next laptop from Costco.

[meem120]

We are an Apple family so cant help you with HP computers.  But, I bought a wireless printer in December and it was the easist thing Ive ever set up.  I dont know why I resisted so long.  In fact I got it here and it was only $39.00, does anexcellent job too.

[Mom2Dogs]

@deeva    I purchased an Ipad from Best Buy about 3+ months ago....it was a business purchase and I have tried for MONTHS to get my sales tax refunded as they no longer handle the refund at the pont of sale...you must do it on line.  

I have called several different phone numbers, messaged on facebook, went back into the store. NO HELP AT ALL.  I keep getting passed around..my case was  supposed to be 'escalated' 3 weeks ago with a follow up email to get the issue fixed...never got that emaill.

The refund is not a lot of money..it's the principal.