i have no idea of what computer to get myself... ._.

[bobthebuilderissus]

i might be the most conflicted person on the planet.
im in smartphone repair, so like, i need something with power to restore, and flash, and etch thumb drives and sd cards.
im a chromebook user usually, so i have no data i can really transfer over, lol, or need to.
basically ive really gotten it down to these
Framework laptop 11
a 13 inch macbook air
a imac mini (i have monitors and mouses, and keyboards already btw)
a hp pavilion aero with win 11
my current laptop for all of this is... a hp probook 640... so yeah a upgrade might be nice...
i have a 2016 iphone se..
so yeah, feel free to even recommend something else!

 

[rm5]

I think if you're looking for a desktop, a Mac mini would be nice. Or, the other thing is, if you want to use Windows "on the cheap" but still want a decent machine, look into old workstations like the HP Z640—those Xeon CPUs, especially those in the E5 v2 through v4 series, still hold up quite well, and have a lot of cores if you go for a higher-end chip. If you want a PC desktop, I'd go for one of those

 

[mi7chy]

Aren't most software for that specialization on Windows x64 and it's probably something you'll always keep plugged in so why pay the premium for laptop that will bloat the battery? You can do a build somewhat like this for around $400 but in a SFF case so it doesn't take up desk space.

https://pcpartpicker.com/b/BQcTwP

Or, like this if you want really small.

https://www.dfrobot.com/product-2672.html

 

[The point and shoot pro]

I recommend Dell systems for Windows based machines. I am after having many of them with no issues what so ever with any. The only issues I have had was my husky walked on the screen of my previous notebook and broke something inside. I am going to be fixing that one to give to my son. It's still perfect when plugged into a monitor.

 

[okkibs]

Framework laptop 11
a 13 inch macbook air
a imac mini (i have monitors and mouses, and keyboards already btw)
a hp pavilion aero with win 11

Any of these will do, but please do yourself a favor and drop the HP trash from your selection. These cheap HP laptops are absolutely bottom-end crap and I wouldn't take it if it was free.

Careful with external monitor support, the cheaper Minis support 2 screens in total, the MBAir supports only one additional external monitor. I do not know about the Framework but I'd assume 2-3 monitors should be possible with the standard Intel/AMD mobile platforms nowadays.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Do you need it to be portable? Do you require Windows? That should narrow it down.

 

[bobthebuilderissus]

Any of these will do, but please do yourself a favor and drop the HP trash from your selection. These cheap HP laptops are absolutely bottom-end crap and I wouldn't take it if it was free.

Careful with external monitor support, the cheaper Minis support 2 screens in total, the MBAir supports only one additional external monitor. I do not know about the Framework but I'd assume 2-3 monitors should be possible with the standard Intel/AMD mobile platforms nowadays.

yeah... i have had issues with macs having external screen issues... my monitors are old, lol

 

[floral]

i might be the most conflicted person on the planet.
im in smartphone repair, so like, i need something with power to restore, and flash, and etch thumb drives and sd cards.
im a chromebook user usually, so i have no data i can really transfer over, lol, or need to.
basically ive really gotten it down to these
Framework laptop 11
a 13 inch macbook air
a imac mini (i have monitors and mouses, and keyboards already btw)
a hp pavilion aero with win 11
my current laptop for all of this is... a hp probook 640... so yeah a upgrade might be nice...
i have a 2016 iphone se..
so yeah, feel free to even recommend something else!

Voting for the HP pavilion aero, those are pretty powerful for the price.

 

[cthompson94]

Any of these will do, but please do yourself a favor and drop the HP trash from your selection. These cheap HP laptops are absolutely bottom-end crap and I wouldn't take it if it was free.

Careful with external monitor support, the cheaper Minis support 2 screens in total, the MBAir supports only one additional external monitor. I do not know about the Framework but I'd assume 2-3 monitors should be possible with the standard Intel/AMD mobile platforms nowadays.

I second dropping the HP from the list, spec wise HP always makes them appear good and though my personal experience and experiences from people I know they always run into thermal problems and other varying issues. Have you looked into the Dell XPS line? While I would want to say the Mac Mini, you did mention having issues with external monitors before and since you will you will use this to make some income then the less possible problems the better

 

[bobthebuilderissus]

Do you need it to be portable? Do you require Windows? That should narrow it down.

no, id dont need it portable, and im leaning more on the windows side, just becuase there is kinda a lack for mac support for stuff i use, lol

 

[bobthebuilderissus]

Aren't most software for that specialization on Windows x64 and it's probably something you'll always keep plugged in so why pay the premium for laptop that will bloat the battery? You can do a build somewhat like this for around $400 but in a SFF case so it doesn't take up desk space.

https://pcpartpicker.com/b/BQcTwP

Or, like this if you want really small.

https://www.dfrobot.com/product-2672.html

could you get a cover/case for the lattepanda one?

 

[bobthebuilderissus]

I recommend Dell systems for Windows based machines. I am after having many of them with no issues what so ever with any. The only issues I have had was my husky walked on the screen of my previous notebook and broke something inside. I am going to be fixing that one to give to my son. It's still perfect when plugged into a monitor.

yeah, ive had two laptops from dell, only issue was with a hinge...
when it was five years old, lol so they do last long, and not to mention it was a 2014 chromebook, lol