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Windows laptop experts - looking for advice for new ones for my wife and I

Posted by RSMBob <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=RSMBob' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 11, 2025, 14:37:32

Neither one of us are super power users but we do have specific needs

RSMBob - replacing a 9yo desktop. Storage, speed, good screen, and reliability are biggest things, great keyboard nice but will use external keyboard most of the time. 90% will be desktop use connected to 1 or 2 external monitors. Primarily internet, email, word processing, spreadsheets, picture/video organization. No advanced gaming.

Mrs RSMBob - will be used as laptop in her craft shed. Needs decent capability for video editing to record floral education videos. Some travel, but not extensive. Since she retired 2 years ago, she has basically lived with her ipad. She was considering a Macbook but probably wants to stay Windows.

Would like to get something Black Friday/Cyber Monday so looking for best bang for the buck. I do not want to go over $1K for either of them. Even better if there is any additional discount for buying the 2 at the same time.

Related question...in general. Costco vs Amazon vs Best Buy for laptop purchases?

Ordered this last night. ThinkPad E16 Gen 2

Posted by EffinIllini <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=EffinIllini' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 12, 2025, 10:38:14, in reply to "Windows laptop experts - looking for advice for new ones for my wife and I"

https://www.target.com/p/lenovo-thinkpad-e16-gen-2-16-fhd-60hz-ryzen-7-7735u-radeon-graphics-32gb-ddr5-1tb-ssd-wi-fi-6-windows-11-pro-black/-/A-1006276100#lnk=sametab

Was trying to stay under $1000.
Probably not the best screen.
Can return within 30 days if I find something better, but this seemed like a decent deal compared to what I have been seeing on Lenovo's website.

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Looks like Costco might have a beast for $1K on Black Friday including OLED screen

Posted by RSMBob <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=RSMBob' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 11, 2025, 21:30:39, in reply to "Windows laptop experts - looking for advice for new ones for my wife and I"

https://slickdeals.net/f/18727435-lenovo-ideapad-pro-5i-16-2-8k-oled-120hz-core-ultra-9-32gb-ram-rtx-5050-1000-starts-11-27?src=SDSearchv3&%3Battrsrc=Thread%3AExpired%3AFalse%7CSearch%3AType%3Anormal%7CSearch%3ASort%3Arelevance%7CSearch%3AHideExpired%3Atrue

warning: no USB-C port*

Posted by bbonb <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=bbonb' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 13, 2025, 7:55:59, in reply to "Looks like Costco might have a beast for $1K on Black Friday including OLED screen"

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isn't Thunderbolt a faster USB-C port? (maybe I'm being bonbon'd)*

Posted by shua <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=shua' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 13, 2025, 8:00:30, in reply to "warning: no USB-C port*"

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You may have been bonbon'd but for clarity, Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C use the same connector

Posted by ATL <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=ATL' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 13, 2025, 10:33:25, in reply to "isn't Thunderbolt a faster USB-C port? (maybe I'm being bonbon'd)*"

and USB-C signals can ride on Thunderbolt 4 ports/cables (but not the other way around). Thunderbolt 4 and 5 are better than USB-C but since they're compatible with it, you don't need separate ports.

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“We are old and tired and just want to be taken care of.” - Republican voter, Dec. 2024.

Really good info here...thanks*

Posted by RSMBob <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=RSMBob' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 13, 2025, 13:14:51, in reply to "You may have been bonbon'd but for clarity, Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C use the same connector"

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and USB-C signals can ride on Thunderbolt 4 ports/cables (but not the other way around). Thunderbolt 4 and 5 are better than USB-C but since they're compatible with it, you don't need separate ports.

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The joke is that the C comes at the other end. It's a USB 3.0 port (blue) that Bob wants

Posted by complainant <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=complainant' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 13, 2025, 8:28:01, in reply to "isn't Thunderbolt a faster USB-C port? (maybe I'm being bonbon'd)*"

Thunderbolt would also be at the other end of the cable.

You want one with an S-IPS monitor and none of that trash TFT type*

Posted by timmer <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=timmer' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 11, 2025, 19:34:47, in reply to "Windows laptop experts - looking for advice for new ones for my wife and I"

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(for rent)

No, Bob. You want a laptop for your wife and *me.*

Posted by complainant <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=complainant' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 11, 2025, 18:15:24, in reply to "Windows laptop experts - looking for advice for new ones for my wife and I"

And I don't even like laptops.

In fact, I'd get two desktops if I were you. For your needs, you can get two fist-sized operating systems for $300 or less. 16GB DDR4 RAM, maybe even 32GB of DDR5 for Black Friday (but you don't need it). Half a terabyte of storage and dual HDMI ports (look for HDMI 2.1 if you insist on 4k capability).

She'll want dual monitors for best editing facility.

I hate it when that happens plus i'm old school*

Posted by RSMBob <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=RSMBob' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 13, 2025, 10:37:14, in reply to "No, Bob. You want a laptop for your wife and *me.*"

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Lenovo ThinkPad.

Posted by EffinIllini <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=EffinIllini' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 11, 2025, 16:12:22, in reply to "Windows laptop experts - looking for advice for new ones for my wife and I"

That's my home laptop. It's a tank. Had it 9 years, still runs great. Will have to replace as support ran out for Windows 10 and for whatever reason I cannot install Windows 11. (i7 Processor doesn't support it?)

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I've had thinkpads for work and we have one for home. Totally fine for what we need

Posted by Gene Parmesan <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=Gene+Parmesan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 12, 2025, 14:04:01, in reply to "Lenovo ThinkPad."

I have an HP Z Book now for work. The only thing I like about it is the touch screen capability. It helps if i'm away from my desk, like sitting on my couch or something.

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I have a Surface for work. It's great for how I use it.

Posted by EffinIllini <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=EffinIllini' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 13, 2025, 9:25:25, in reply to "I've had thinkpads for work and we have one for home. Totally fine for what we need"

Detach the keyboard and plug into a hub to use with the other 3 monitors and wireless keyboard at work. Basically, just use the tiny Surface screen for National Park webcams all day. Simple to grab and attach the keyboard if I have to run to a meeting

Super portable to take home or travel and use as a tablet.

Not what I'd want for everyday home use though. Also way more expensive than I'd want to pay myself.

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I have an HP Z Book now for work. The only thing I like about it is the touch screen capability. It helps if i'm away from my desk, like sitting on my couch or something.

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My new Thinkpad has touchscreen. Haven’t used it much yet but I’m sure I’ll find it worthwhile at

Posted by harb <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=harb' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 12, 2025, 14:33:07, in reply to "I've had thinkpads for work and we have one for home. Totally fine for what we need"

Some point.

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I have an HP Z Book now for work. The only thing I like about it is the touch screen capability. It helps if i'm away from my desk, like sitting on my couch or something.

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[Assassin] Harb is the epitome of a Goldfish Troll.
[Opey] Assholes gonna asshole
[tiki] #### all the way off with that, you bloodthirsty hilljack.

ah, cool. My thinkpads never did, but it could have been the employer's choice

I don't use it a ton, but it's a nice add on to have, as I use it more than i thought I would.

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Some point.

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I have an HP Z Book now for work. The only thing I like about it is the touch screen capability. It helps if i'm away from my desk, like sitting on my couch or something.

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Did they have the nipple?*

Posted by complainant <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=complainant' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 13, 2025, 9:03:31, in reply to "ah, cool. My thinkpads never did, but it could have been the employer's choice"

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I don't use it a ton, but it's a nice add on to have, as I use it more than i thought I would.

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Some point.

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I have an HP Z Book now for work. The only thing I like about it is the touch screen capability. It helps if i'm away from my desk, like sitting on my couch or something.

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yes. I assumed those were ubiquitous on thinkpads

That is a feature I almost never used

I've also never used mine. However...

Posted by EffinIllini <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=EffinIllini' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 13, 2025, 9:19:59, in reply to "yes. I assumed those were ubiquitous on thinkpads"

When on the Thinkpad Reddit, they seem to think it's the greatest thing ever. I don't get it.

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That is a feature I almost never used

I no longer have a thinkpad and I miss it. The thing that I really like is I don't have to move my

Posted by illinibone <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=illinibone' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 13, 2025, 10:29:47, in reply to "I've also never used mine. However..."

hands off the keyboard to use the mouse.

Turn the sensitivity down and it's a lot easier to get used to.

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When on the Thinkpad Reddit, they seem to think it's the greatest thing ever. I don't get it.

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That is a feature I almost never used

Script Kiddie

I just replaced my Lenovo Thinkpad P50 with a new Thinkpad for the same reason.

Posted by harb <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=harb' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 11, 2025, 19:27:53, in reply to "Lenovo ThinkPad."

This new one is so much lighter and much longer battery run.

Your processor is likely a Gen 6 and you need a Gen 8 to upgrade to Windows 11.

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[Assassin] Harb is the epitome of a Goldfish Troll.
[Opey] Assholes gonna asshole
[tiki] #### all the way off with that, you bloodthirsty hilljack.

Make sure you have USB-C ports. Also confirm how many monitors you need to display on*

Posted by TarheelIllini <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=TarheelIllini' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 11, 2025, 14:41:44, in reply to "Windows laptop experts - looking for advice for new ones for my wife and I"

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Recrudescence

you're better off just getting a proper docking station

Posted by OrangeSox <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=OrangeSox' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 11, 2025, 17:50:32, in reply to "Make sure you have USB-C ports. Also confirm how many monitors you need to display on*"

than connecting things to the laptop individually. Just my opinion of course.

I got a simple USB-C hub instead when I bought a new Surface recently*

Posted by Potomac <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=Potomac' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 11, 2025, 18:02:59, in reply to "you're better off just getting a proper docking station "

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than connecting things to the laptop individually. Just my opinion of course.

[bonbon] please also confirm the size(s) of the monitors [/bonbon]

Posted by IlliniSax05 <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=IlliniSax05' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 11, 2025, 14:53:39, in reply to "Make sure you have USB-C ports. Also confirm how many monitors you need to display on*"

Why do you hate me, Sammich?

MAJOR UPDATE: "Maybe you're not such a bad egg, Lisle-y"
-Sammich, 1/15/2011

With my current desktop, I have 27" and 24" monitors

Posted by RSMBob <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=RSMBob' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 11, 2025, 15:01:31, in reply to "[bonbon] please also confirm the size(s) of the monitors [/bonbon]"

Probably going to look at a 15.6 or 16" laptop, honestly not sure if I will use laptop screen and the 27" or use up more desk space and use the 24" as well.

cavemen*

Posted by bbonb <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=bbonb' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 11, 2025, 17:45:17, in reply to "With my current desktop, I have 27" and 24" monitors"

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Probably going to look at a 15.6 or 16" laptop, honestly not sure if I will use laptop screen and the 27" or use up more desk space and use the 24" as well.

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