Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Milly342

Suspended
Original poster
May 27, 2024
169
24
Im going into college and have to use a windows laptop; i really wanted a Macbook but they run programs that macs cant run. What is the best windows laptop that is $800 or less i dont need anything to pwoerful and dont care about the touchscreen aspect of it.
 

Chuckeee

macrumors 68040
Aug 18, 2023
3,006
8,628
Southern California
Im going into college and have to use a windows laptop; i really wanted a Macbook but they run programs that macs cant run. What is the best windows laptop that is $800 or less i dont need anything to pwoerful and dont care about the touchscreen aspect of it.
Not a specific recommendation, more of a warning. Stay away from HP especially their low cost models. They Seem to suffer an unusually high number of failures within a year or two and you don’t want to get stuck fighting for warranty repairs
 

Milly342

Suspended
Original poster
May 27, 2024
169
24
Not a specific recommendation, more of a warning. Stay away from HP especially their low cost models. They Seem to suffer an unusually high number of failures within a year or two and you don’t want to get stuck fighting for warranty repairs
I can spend a bit higher for a laptop but I’m kinda thinking of a $800 laptop plus a iPad Pro tbh. Also how much is a cheaper hp?
 

Chuckeee

macrumors 68040
Aug 18, 2023
3,006
8,628
Southern California
Last edited by a moderator:

Milly342

Suspended
Original poster
May 27, 2024
169
24
I would avoid hp. Dell has a couple of models less than $800. Not sure if that is the best low cost laptop but they are much better than hp and they are durable. I would consider buy upgraded RAM or SSD if you can afford it

Actually I decided I’m gonna spend more on a laptop and just not get the iPad so the budget is around $1600 usd now I’m so confused on the different processors
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Biro

macrumors 6502a
Jan 11, 2012
880
1,425
Milly… with your new, higher budget, you can shop directly from HP and pick up a decent laptop at a good discount. It’s HP’s low-end machines that tend to break.


Another brand to consider is ASUS.

 

Biro

macrumors 6502a
Jan 11, 2012
880
1,425
Is hp the best?
The better ones are good. The budget, entry-level ones, not so much. Do you really need a Windows machine? The deals are great on M1 and M2 MackBook Airs - both 13-inch and 15-inch. I’ve rarely heard of colleges using programs that Macs can’t run. In fact, it’s almost a cliche - college students buying MacBooks.
 

Milly342

Suspended
Original poster
May 27, 2024
169
24
The better ones are good. The budget, entry-level ones, not so much. Do you really need a Windows machine? The deals are great on M1 and M2 MackBook Airs - both 13-inch and 15-inch. I’ve rarely heard of colleges using programs that Macs can’t run. In fact, it’s almost a cliche - college students buying MacBooks.
I want a MacBook, but there are programs that I would be using as a business major that can’t run on a Mac. It’s a bummer bc I love my old Mac
 

Milly342

Suspended
Original poster
May 27, 2024
169
24
HP laptop (especially cheap and mid-range) laptops are trash. Avoid them like the plague. They are slightly cheaper on paper but their build quality is garbage. You would be way better with Dell, Lenovo. Asus or Acer.
How about like a 1200-1600 budget?
 

Milly342

Suspended
Original poster
May 27, 2024
169
24
As much as we despise Micro$oft. An Intel based 15” surface laptop is top quality but it is more pricey the alternatives.
I just wish I can get a Mac but I will admit the old displays on the ultra books are nice
 

varezhka

macrumors member
Jun 10, 2022
73
55
For something to last you through your 4 years, you can't go wrong with Lenovo Thinkpads. Not the sexiest laptops out there but gets all the basics right so they're durable, reliable, and comfortable.

Look for something in the X13 or T14 series (or if you can splurge X1 and Z13 are nice too).
 

Milly342

Suspended
Original poster
May 27, 2024
169
24
For something to last you through your 4 years, you can't go wrong with Lenovo Thinkpads. Not the sexiest laptops out there but gets all the basics right so they're durable, reliable, and comfortable.

Look for something in the X13 or T14 series (or if you can splurge X1 and Z13 are nice too).
What’s better than x1 or z13?
 

iHorseHead

macrumors 68000
Jan 1, 2021
1,579
1,998
ASUS and Lenovo have great laptops
I’d recommend you spend more money and buy Microsoft surface though
 

Milly342

Suspended
Original poster
May 27, 2024
169
24
Can you elaborate? Not a fan of either X1 Carbon/Nano or Z13?
Would be helpful if you can let us know more of what works and what doesn't for you.
Gotcha, im
Mostly just using it for school purposes I just want something that is light like a MacBook air and decently powerful and than can last me for a while.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.