Looking for some PC buying advice

[PeltFrelken]

So, I am a Mac user (and a WP owner, go figure). I need to buy a PC laptop to run QuickBooks Premier desktop, which is not available for Mac. I do know how to use the Windows OS.

I need something simple & cheap. I'd say no more than $500 (US), but hopefully less.

Basic requirements:

-Must be 2.4 mgz or higher
-Windows 8.1
-Smaller the better, 11" screen is ok.

I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks.

 

[dznk]

Have a look at the Asus Vivobook line of laptops. Here is one that would fit your requirements. I have had a Vivobook (pretty much the exact one I linked to) and have found it great. It also has touchscreen which I'd recommend for Windows 8 even if you intend to use a mouse+keyboard most of the time, it's always nice to have touch there for any apps that work better with it. Note - it comes with Windows 8, but it's very easy to upgrade to 8.1 through the Windows Store on the Start Screen (it's completely free as well, as it is already a Windows 8 machine).

There really is a huge range of laptops available, but if you base your search on an Intel i3 CPU + touch + 4GB RAM, you would have a laptop that should be more than good enough for your requirements.

 

[ag1986]

If that is the only application you need, I question if it is even worth it for you to go and purchase an entirely new computer. I have a Retina MBP and use Parallels for all Windows needs. Even games run pretty well. Instead of spending ~$500 on a decent Windows laptop, this will get you what you need at $50.

The disadvantage is that the Parallels license is per-machine so if you want to use it on more than one Mac you need to buy a separate license. If you do have multiple machines, try VMware Fusion.

Another option is to use Apple's Bootcamp, but that needs you to create a separate partition and reboot into Windows every time you need to launch Windows apps.

 

[coip]

I would take this as an opportunity to get a nice Windows 8.1 tablet, one with the ability to output to an external monitor so you can actually do some work on it but then could also enjoy the tablet aspects of it. Perhaps the Dell Venue 11 Pro would work well.

 

[gsquared]

Unless you really want a new Win 8 machine just use Parallels. Otherwise get yourself a hybrid netbook / tablet. Like everyone else said..

 

[Blkacesvf41]

So, I am a Mac user (and a WP owner, go figure). I need to buy a PC laptop to run QuickBooks Premier desktop, which is not available for Mac. I do know how to use the Windows OS.

I need something simple & cheap. I'd say no more than $500 (US), but hopefully less.

Basic requirements:

-Must be 2.4 mgz or higher
-Windows 8.1
-Smaller the better, 11" screen is ok.

I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks.

I'd recommend the HP Envy x2. It's a nice hybrid that has a great battery life. This would fit your size requirements. If you want something a bit bigger and faster, I hear the Envy Split 2 is pretty awesome too.

 

[ousooner314]

Unless you really want a new Win 8 machine just use Parallels. Otherwise get yourself a hybrid netbook / tablet. Like everyone else said..

I agree with gsquared. If you're only looking for a way to run QuickBooks (but are happy with your Mac for all other purposes), just use Parallels or BootCamp on your Mac.

 

[coip]

I agree with gsquared. If you're only looking for a way to run QuickBooks (but are happy with your Mac for all other purposes), just use Parallels or BootCamp on your Mac.

I disagree with ousooner314 and gsquared. I'd get a Windows 8.1 tablet or 2-in-1 device. They are so much more interesting than anything Apple is offering right now: portable, versatile, touch-screen enabled. I'd take this as an opportunity to hope off the stale Mac train.

 

[anony_mouse]

I disagree with ousooner314 and gsquared. I'd get a Windows 8.1 tablet or 2-in-1 device. They are so much more interesting than anything Apple is offering right now: portable, versatile, touch-screen enabled. I'd take this as an opportunity to hope off the stale Mac train.

Tablets are more expensive than laptops and you might find the screen too small to do real work. An 11 inch screen is small for a laptop, but very large for a tablet. Are any 11 inch tablets available at the moment?
Parallels or similar sound like the best solution, or if you want another machine just go to an electronics store and pick up any cheap generic laptop that takes your fancy.

 

[Blkacesvf41]

Tablets are more expensive than laptops and you might find the screen too small to do real work. An 11 inch screen is small for a laptop, but very large for a tablet. Are any 11 inch tablets available at the moment?
Parallels or similar sound like the best solution, or if you want another machine just go to an electronics store and pick up any cheap generic laptop that takes your fancy.

Like I said I'm really happy with my Envy x2 and that's why I recommend it. It is really the best of both worlds, a nice little laptop when it's docked and can also be a tablet when you feel like it. With a 11.5" screen it does get heavy when you're holding it for a while.

 

[coip]

Tablets are more expensive than laptops and you might find the screen too small to do real work. An 11 inch screen is small for a laptop, but very large for a tablet. Are any 11 inch tablets available at the moment?
Parallels or similar sound like the best solution, or if you want another machine just go to an electronics store and pick up any cheap generic laptop that takes your fancy.

I think it's a huge waste of money to get a cheap generic laptop. If you're going to spend $300-400 on a crappy laptop, you might as well get a more versatile tablet or 2-in-1. There are several 10" and 11" tablets that are more than adequate to do proper work on. That said, I'd even consider using an 8" one that has the ability to output to an external monitor and really get some work done. He obviously has some money to spend otherwise he'd never have purchased a Mac (they're overpriced), so stop suggesting the Parallels/BootCamp route. That's boring. Macs are boring. This is a good opportunity to get a really versatile device. Don't blow it on a dying breed (i.e. a crappy, generic, non-touch screen device).

 

[ag1986]

I think it's a huge waste of money to get a cheap generic laptop. If you're going to spend $300-400 on a crappy laptop, you might as well get a more versatile tablet or 2-in-1. There are several 10" and 11" tablets that are more than adequate to do proper work on. That said, I'd even consider using an 8" one that has the ability to output to an external monitor and really get some work done. He obviously has some money to spend otherwise he'd never have purchased a Mac (they're overpriced), so stop suggesting the Parallels/BootCamp route. That's boring. Macs are boring. This is a good opportunity to get a really versatile device. Don't blow it on a dying breed (i.e. a crappy, generic, non-touch screen device).

Please stop pushing your opinions (overpriced, crappy, all that) on other people. Many people think touchscreens on a laptop are about as useful as a chocolate kettle, that doesn't make them right.

In this case to run a single application, it's not worth spending on new hardware. I mean, I may have the money but that's no reason to waste it.

 

[anony_mouse]

I think it's a huge waste of money to get a cheap generic laptop. If you're going to spend $300-400 on a crappy laptop, you might as well get a more versatile tablet or 2-in-1. There are several 10" and 11" tablets that are more than adequate to do proper work on. That said, I'd even consider using an 8" one that has the ability to output to an external monitor and really get some work done. He obviously has some money to spend otherwise he'd never have purchased a Mac (they're overpriced), so stop suggesting the Parallels/BootCamp route. That's boring. Macs are boring. This is a good opportunity to get a really versatile device. Don't blow it on a dying breed (i.e. a crappy, generic, non-touch screen device).

These forums never fail to amaze me!

My buying decision Q/A looks like this:
1. Do you actually want an addition computer, or just to run a specific application which is not available for Mac? Bear in mind that a new computer will be more versatile (maybe) and exciting (if you like that kind of thing), but will be more expensive and mean that you have two machines to maintain, carry around (+ power supplies), transfer data between, etc.
- If just specific app: Bootcamp or Parallels mean that you don't need an extra machine and seem the best solution. You can spend the money saved on something more interesting.
- If new machine: there are plenty of Windows laptops available for under $500. The Asus recommended above looks like a good one. As I said, I'd suggest a trip to your local electronics shop to see what takes your fancy. Personally I also don't use touchscreens on laptops - I find them awkward and inconvenient, but the OP might have a different view. Anyway, even if you have a touchscreen, you don't have to use it so it's not a disadvantage.
A note on screen size - as I posted in another thread recently, even a slightly bigger screen increases the area quite significantly. For some applications, that's a big advantage. I'm not familiar with QuickBooks Premier, so can't specifically comment on that. And regarding tablet/laptop combination devices - I doubt you will get one running Windows 8 for $500. They are worth considering if you don't mind spending more and can live with a small laptop/big tablet device, and with Windows 8 as a tablet OS, and you don't already have a tablet. Personally I find a tablet too small for 'real work', and therefore have both a laptop and a tablet. But that's just my opinion. I recommend to try for yourself.

Good luck with whatever you decide!