We have / have had just about everything in the house.
Right now we are transitioning from Apple to Microsoft as the surface is so much more powerful than the comparable Apple products (No touchscreen)

One reason we are getting more microsoft products. They have less pre-loaded stuff that I don't want or need. I think every extra thing is taking up space, a security vulnerability, and a battery suck (especially if it auto boots up).

Good luck with your choice -

Anonymous wrote:We always buy Apple because I have had so many bad experiences with other brands breaking and just not working well down the road. I could be wrong but I feel like Apple computers have at least twice the lifespan of other brands. Plus we use Apple products for phones and everything so they sync easily. Anyway, in your shoes I would go for the least expensive MacBook Air if I could afford it.

Considering they cost twice as much, they'd better last longer!

Anonymous wrote:The M1 laptops are probably almost as big as the iPhone. Just watch.

Time is proving that whoever made this prediction nailed it. The M1 Apple computers are incredible and the battery life is amazing. I've had mine for about three months and couldn't be happier.

Dell XPS going strong 8 yrs old

The M1 laptops are probably almost as big as the iPhone. Just watch.

MacBook Air.

I switched to Apple 10 years ago, and I'm very happy with their products. I'll probably never go back to anything else. Apple is simply top of the line. Earlier this month, I bought their just released MacBook Air with their own Apple-made M1 processor. The speed and battery life of this thing is absolutely amazing.

I have a 2013 MacBook Pro that is still going strong, just needed a new SDD HD last year.

We have Surface laptops and had to replace one twice under warranty, and the power cable breaks if you sneeze funny.

Lenovo is good quality, but sketch Chinese ownership.

We have Dell desktops and they seem Ok, and Dell laptops for work but when they die they die hard (my work laptop only lasted 3 years).

I had my MacBook Pro for 4 years and the hard drive went bad and then the keyboard. Bought in 2013, done by 2017. I spent about $200 fixing the hard drive then the keyboard didn’t work and needed to be replaced. It was gonna be another couple hundred. And they couldn’t guarantee that it would be fiixed. So I bought a MacBook Air and so far it’s been good. All can say is if this one breaks down. I’m not buying Apple again.

Anonymous wrote:We always buy Apple because I have had so many bad experiences with other brands breaking and just not working well down the road. I could be wrong but I feel like Apple computers have at least twice the lifespan of other brands. Plus we use Apple products for phones and everything so they sync easily. Anyway, in your shoes I would go for the least expensive MacBook Air if I could afford it.

Oh by the way we have had our MacBook Air for eight and a half years and it still works great. Even through kids dropping it.

They have deals now:
https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/thinkpad-l/thinkpad-l13/p/20R3CTO1WWENUS0

Several options in target and Costco under 500$.

I second Apple. I would look for a refurbished MacBook Air or very basic Pro (look for something certified refurbished and 2016 or later). If you are just using for Word and internet, you can also get away with smaller memory and storage capacity, though I have found a bigger disk extends the life of a laptop by a year or two.

Look at the certified Apple store, Amazon (check the reviews closely), and the website Mac of all Trades. The last one will have the broadest selection, but my preference is the official Apple refurbished store if they have what I want and it's not too pricy. Amazon will often have the best prices, especially this time of year, but again: read the reviews closely. Make sure the vendor is legit and be very wary of any place that has multiple negative reviews related to either the product OR service.

We had a 500$ Lenovo and don’t have issues with it.

We always buy Apple because I have had so many bad experiences with other brands breaking and just not working well down the road. I could be wrong but I feel like Apple computers have at least twice the lifespan of other brands. Plus we use Apple products for phones and everything so they sync easily. Anyway, in your shoes I would go for the least expensive MacBook Air if I could afford it.

My child broke the screen on my Surface, so I need to get another laptop. I only use it for word and internet surfing, but want something a bit better than a cheap chromebook. Any suggestions would be appreciated.