We have already said in the past that Microsoft is wanting to make a clear distinction about Windows Home and Pro and if you’re in the business sense in any way, you will be better off with Pro no matter what. At this point, we won’t be talking about getting Home as a cost cutter unless you know for sure that that is what you’re going for.
As always, these are affiliate links, and it must be said. So, without further ado, here is more links for proper systems to your needs!
Laptops
Laptops are still needed. For some people, they depend on it for an “On-the-go” scenario that plagues them often. Some just prefer having that “all-in-one” solution so they aren’t hooking screens and other things that may often be separate. A few others prefer it over a desktop just because they feel they don’t need much. Whatever the case, let’s go over this. Unless otherwise stated, I’m aiming for 16GB of RAM. Many of these laptops is going to use integrated graphics which needs some RAM. And if you use a lot of tabs in your web browser, well you need some RAM as well unless you want to use Microsoft Edge which is far more Memory efficient.
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5500U
Storage: 256GB
RAM: 12GB
Listed Price: $699
Bonus: 32GB Tela USB Card
While this isn’t a 16GB RAM laptop, this does offer all the best you can get with Windows 10 Pro. The storage is a little less than ideal at only 256GB, but if you don’t plan to install a whole lot, than this could be useful. Alternatively, one could always buy some bigger storage and then, one could just transfer it over to the new storage to call it a day. Perfect!
CPU: Intel i5-1135G7
Storage: 512GB
RAM: 12GB
Listed Price: $699
Bonus: 32GB Tela USB Card
Another not a 16GB RAM Laptop laptop, this is the Intel variant of the same device. This however offers options to go up to 20GB RAM. If you want 1TB storage though, you will have to get the 20GB RAM as well. But honestly, is that so bad for going up to $899? Well, yes and no. Yes for more memory, no in that it has to be an odd number.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (AMD) (Modified)
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5700U
Storage: 512GB
RAM: 12GB
Listed Price: $869
Bonus: 64GB Flash Drive Stylus
So this is modified which means that an authorized company was allowed to modify the standard packaging a bit from the manufacture while keeping them within the manufactures’ grace. This has a better CPU and better storage. More importantly, there are options on the page to have higher storage or more RAM with the RAM increase to 20GB will only put you at $949. Aside from the modification, all other specs are guaranteed the 1 year warranty standard.
CPU: Intel 1165G7
Storage: 512GB
Listed Price: $944.99
Yep, its an HP. The market the way it is, of course it is in abundance. But on the Brightside, it is latest and already with Windows 11 Pro so you can get used to it from the start. If there is a need to make sure its fresh without the HP software, one can simply set Windows to be reformatted after your initial setup. Windows 10 Pro is optional on the same page if you want to hold out for Windows 10 with nicer stability.
CPU: Intel i5-10210U
Storage: 512GB
Listed Price: $1,106.99
This is not the absolute latest, but given the options available at this time, this works. On the same page, you can choose to go up to 1TB SSD if you’d like.
CPU: Intel i5-1135G7
Storage: 512GB
Listed Price: $1,257
Bonus: 64GB Flash Drive
This is indeed much more in the latest spec than the other one, but also has Anti-Glare screen which could be useful in brighter environments. This one will also come with a 64GB Flash Drive. This comes with Windows 10 Pro, but it will be upgradable to Windows 11 if you’d like after initial setup. If you’re going to do that, might as well do it at the beginning and then consider a reset of Windows 11 before diving into it just to be sure you get the best possible experience.
Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 2 (AMD)
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 5850U
Storage: 512GB
Listed Price: $1,499.00
When you just need to have what seems like the best in price for business, this is it. Fingerprint Reader, Windows 10 Pro, 16GB RAM, and with a PRO series: A great CPU that should grant support for the device for quite a while. If it had a touch screen, it would probably be overkill.
As far as other Laptops, Lenovo has some great sales going on if you wish to check them out. In fact, with this link, you’ll find most of the selection work done for you!
Want better suggestions from that store? Give us a call and we’ll guide you.
Desktops
When it comes down to it, when you need a desktop, it tends to be just a bit superior over a laptop for a few reasons. If anything needs to be upgraded, there is a good chance it can be done without running into major compatibility issues. For instance, if you want 16 GB of RAM, that can be done. Add a GPU? It might be possible if the Power Supply can handle it. More storage? The connections should be there. Its just a matter of getting what you want to start with.
The above can be less stated however if you go for Small Form Factor systems. Basically, they are desktops where it can fit and be almost inconspicuous than your typical tower systems. Maybe it sits beside your monitor or is held underneath the desk. Maybe it is even underneath your monitor.
Speaking of, these will require a display. Unless otherwise stated, my goal here will be 16 GB of RAM and integrated GPUs.
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
Storage: 512GB SSD
OS: Windows 11 Pro
Listed Price: $799.99
Comes with: Wired Mouse & Keyboard
Yes, another HP option. An abundance of them as usual. However, it is sleek looking for what its worth. This will come with Windows 11 pre-installed so after updates, you should be on the latest and last you for quite a while.
CPU: Intel i5-10500
Storage: 500GB SSD
OS: Windows 10 Pro
Listed Price: $929.95
There are options for other configurations, but lets ignore all the 8 GB Memory options and the 256GB Storage options. This is a Small Form Factor PC meaning that it is a smaller side piece from your typical tower. The configuration options can let you upgrade the CPU to an i7, the Memory to 32 GB, and your storage to 1TB. You can also get an i7 option that goes all out by providing you with a 512GB SSD and 1TB HDD together for only $1,229.95. The only thing is that since we’re on 11th gen and 12th gen (which 12th gen itself is not recommended while Intel irons out the bugs), this is a 10th gen option. Though since this is geared as a business, no fancy frills or any of that, you should be good. It should also have the option to go to Windows 11 Pro at any time.
CPU: Intel i7-1165G7
Storage: 512GB SSD
OS: Windows 10 Pro
Listed Price: $1,039.99
What in the world is a NUC? Well I can tell you it that officially, it is the Next Unit of Computing. In English, it is a small computer that does only up to exactly what you’d need and no more. They can be upgraded, but once you get what you get, you’re probably not going for anything more. Sometimes, they can be used for Home Theater PCs, but if you just want something simple that does whatever it is you need it to aside from gaming (You may need an add-on for that), this will be it.
Macs
Of course, there is going to be the question about Macs. At this stage, if you’re getting a laptop, start with the new macbook Pro 14 with their new Apple M1 Pro Chips. Why not Last year’s model? Those were the initial M1 chips. They are sometimes sluggish and just wasn’t the best to start with in general, sometimes making the previous gen before it seem faster and smoother all-around. That said, I’d suggest this just for longevity reasons.
Color: Space Gray and Silver
Storage: 512 GB or 1 TB
Listed Price: Starts at $1,949.99
This here is the Macbook Pro 14. Just remember, Macs tend to be different in a few ways. Connections included. However, this version, the bigger brother version, and last year’s model version have something completely different. They use an ARM-based CPU. That basically means that it isn’t an instruction-set that could run Windows with the right tweaks. It is different and therefor programs must be a bit specialized. However, with the newer chips, it can somewhat emulate the previous type of CPU to an adequate degree. That is the main reason to going for this year’s model. Therefore I cannot recommend the Macbook 13 in any capacity, even if cost is a factor.
Color: Space Gray and Silver
Storage: 512 GB or 1 TB
GPU: 16-Core or 32-Core
Listed Price: Starts at $2,449.99
This is obviously the bigger screen version. There is no point to re-iterate the Macbook Pro 14 version for this, but you would have 1 additional option to choose besides the color and storage. Your GPU performance. How do you choose the GPU version? I’d say unless you’re working on video work daily where time is a factor, then there is no reason for you to go for the 32-core version. But if you just want to spend cause the budget allows, then go for the MAX version (32-Core). Afterall, that is what makes it the M1 MAX