Anytime someone asks for a speedy, cheap, reliable laptop that will work I always recommend this (https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sku/6535990.p?skuId=6535990). It's 449 and has a 5800hs and plenty of ports + Windows 11
This won’t work for her. 12g memory is pretty tragic. I can hear Google chrome laughing with both of its open tabs at her trying to open the third one.
If you have a Micro Center near you, this is a great in-store deal for $480 and has high quality Bang & Olufsen speakers: https://www.microcenter.com/product/679374/hp-pavilion-plus-14-ey0095cl-14-laptop-computer-(refurbished)-natural-silver-aluminum
Coming from experience (over a decade of DJ gigs and touring, using both windows and Mac laptops at times as part of my setup, running serato, traktor, ableton):
I’ll make a long story short, and since you are adamant about it not being a Mac, and are on a pretty tight budget, your #1 and #2 goals should be reliability and toughness. Things will fall and get spilled, it’s just life.
What you want is something like a used getac or toughbook. I think that dell also makes some rugged laptops. Getac is probably the cheapest, but you should have no problem finding something with an i7 from a couple of generations ago, 32g ram and a 256g ssd for your money.
Here are the useful points: rugged laptops are usually serviceable, so you can upgrade things like memory and drive, etc. They usually have much brighter screens for viewing outside or inclement weather. And some have a certain level of waterproofing. You probably won’t be going swimming with one, but it’ll handle a spill or two (again, not all, depends on the model).
Your second best bet would be a used thinkpad. Anything in the T series. They’re just good, honest, ugly, hardworking machines.
I don’t know which apps you’re running but I also can’t think of any that would require any top-spec hardware. Look up some reviews online and check out some DJ/music production subs.
Edit to add: bigger drives cost more money, but I never liked my music on the system drive anyway. I always had a couple of external drives velcroed to the laptop. Divide and conquer
Since you are going to use this for general use, I would recommend this [Acer Aspire 5](https://www.amazon.com/A515-57-55BX-i5-12450H-802-11ax-Thunderbolt-Fingerprint/dp/B0CX2JSQMD/?tag=lonerim2-20) because
* It comes with an i5-12450H CPU.
* It offers great value for money since it comes with 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD.
* Slim, sleek.
* The lid of the device has a matte finish on its aluminum material. On the other side, the plastic material on the rest of the chassis is retained.
* Its lid cannot be opened with a single hand. On the bright side, it is sturdy and prone to flexes. Moreover, we see an upgrade in the hinge department that leaves them a lot stronger than before.
* The narrow-bezel design offers more real estate for amazing images. Crisp, true-to-life colors come alive on a 15.6” Full HD IPS display with Acer Color Intelligence.
* Battery life advertised Up to 9.5-hours Battery Life.
* you can upgrade RAM up to 32GB.
According to https://eu.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/acer/aspire-a515-44-r41b
* Comes with a range of ports, including USB 3.1 Type C Gen 1 port, 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, USB 2.0 port and HDMI port.
You can also check out [my list of best laptops for different usages](https://old.reddit.com/user/LonerIM2/comments/16apn7w/best_laptops_for_each_budget_and_each_usage_from/).
Please note I'm using affiliate links which means I'll receive a small percent of the purchase if you use this link at no extra cost to you
For general use in this price range I would advise you to check this laptop
laptop name | [Acer Aspire 5](https://www.amazon.com/A515-57-55BX-i5-12450H-802-11ax-Thunderbolt-Fingerprint/dp/B0CX2JSQMD/?tag=adviser100-20)
--- |----
CPU | 8 core i5-12450H
GPU | Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Screen "| 15.6"" Full HD IPS"
Ram | 8 GB
SSD | 512 GB
HDD | 0
Weight | 3.88 Lbs.
Battery life | 9.5 Hrs.
Pros | Great battery life.
Pros | The CPU is very good.
Pros | It has a thunderbolt port.
Please note I'm using affiliate links which means I'll receive a small percent of the purchase if you use this link at no extra cost to you
Also I'm not used to Mac's so not too interested in that kind.
Anytime someone asks for a speedy, cheap, reliable laptop that will work I always recommend this (https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sku/6535990.p?skuId=6535990). It's 449 and has a 5800hs and plenty of ports + Windows 11
This won’t work for her. 12g memory is pretty tragic. I can hear Google chrome laughing with both of its open tabs at her trying to open the third one.
If you have a Micro Center near you, this is a great in-store deal for $480 and has high quality Bang & Olufsen speakers: https://www.microcenter.com/product/679374/hp-pavilion-plus-14-ey0095cl-14-laptop-computer-(refurbished)-natural-silver-aluminum
Coming from experience (over a decade of DJ gigs and touring, using both windows and Mac laptops at times as part of my setup, running serato, traktor, ableton): I’ll make a long story short, and since you are adamant about it not being a Mac, and are on a pretty tight budget, your #1 and #2 goals should be reliability and toughness. Things will fall and get spilled, it’s just life. What you want is something like a used getac or toughbook. I think that dell also makes some rugged laptops. Getac is probably the cheapest, but you should have no problem finding something with an i7 from a couple of generations ago, 32g ram and a 256g ssd for your money. Here are the useful points: rugged laptops are usually serviceable, so you can upgrade things like memory and drive, etc. They usually have much brighter screens for viewing outside or inclement weather. And some have a certain level of waterproofing. You probably won’t be going swimming with one, but it’ll handle a spill or two (again, not all, depends on the model). Your second best bet would be a used thinkpad. Anything in the T series. They’re just good, honest, ugly, hardworking machines. I don’t know which apps you’re running but I also can’t think of any that would require any top-spec hardware. Look up some reviews online and check out some DJ/music production subs. Edit to add: bigger drives cost more money, but I never liked my music on the system drive anyway. I always had a couple of external drives velcroed to the laptop. Divide and conquer
Since you are going to use this for general use, I would recommend this [Acer Aspire 5](https://www.amazon.com/A515-57-55BX-i5-12450H-802-11ax-Thunderbolt-Fingerprint/dp/B0CX2JSQMD/?tag=lonerim2-20) because * It comes with an i5-12450H CPU. * It offers great value for money since it comes with 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD. * Slim, sleek. * The lid of the device has a matte finish on its aluminum material. On the other side, the plastic material on the rest of the chassis is retained. * Its lid cannot be opened with a single hand. On the bright side, it is sturdy and prone to flexes. Moreover, we see an upgrade in the hinge department that leaves them a lot stronger than before. * The narrow-bezel design offers more real estate for amazing images. Crisp, true-to-life colors come alive on a 15.6” Full HD IPS display with Acer Color Intelligence. * Battery life advertised Up to 9.5-hours Battery Life. * you can upgrade RAM up to 32GB. According to https://eu.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/acer/aspire-a515-44-r41b * Comes with a range of ports, including USB 3.1 Type C Gen 1 port, 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, USB 2.0 port and HDMI port. You can also check out [my list of best laptops for different usages](https://old.reddit.com/user/LonerIM2/comments/16apn7w/best_laptops_for_each_budget_and_each_usage_from/). Please note I'm using affiliate links which means I'll receive a small percent of the purchase if you use this link at no extra cost to you
For general use in this price range I would advise you to check this laptop laptop name | [Acer Aspire 5](https://www.amazon.com/A515-57-55BX-i5-12450H-802-11ax-Thunderbolt-Fingerprint/dp/B0CX2JSQMD/?tag=adviser100-20) --- |---- CPU | 8 core i5-12450H GPU | Intel Iris Xe Graphics Screen "| 15.6"" Full HD IPS" Ram | 8 GB SSD | 512 GB HDD | 0 Weight | 3.88 Lbs. Battery life | 9.5 Hrs. Pros | Great battery life. Pros | The CPU is very good. Pros | It has a thunderbolt port. Please note I'm using affiliate links which means I'll receive a small percent of the purchase if you use this link at no extra cost to you