What should I look for when buying a new computer?

When it comes to buying a new computer, the budget will dictate everything.  I'm going to tackle this at 3 different levels.  Under $400, between $500-$800, and over $900. 

Let's start with under $400.  If your main focus is speed, you don't need to install Windows applications and most of your time is spent cruising the internet or checking email.  I think you should look at a Chromebook or an Android tablet.  I'm a big fan of Chromebooks due to their price, speed, and long battery life.  I paid under $300 for 2 different Chromebooks and I love them both.  Even though I have a high end gaming laptop, I spend at least 80% of my time on my Chromebook.  I can't actually remember the last time I needed to download and install software, so for me a Chromebook is perfect.  There is a little learning curve to using Google Docs if you work with a lot of spreadsheets or documents, but there are plenty of videos on YouTube to help you.  Chromebooks should have the ability to download Android apps soon, so keep an eye out for that.  If you do get a Chromebook, I would try to get at least 4GB of RAM/Memory.  In case you are wondering, I chose a Chromebook over a tablet, because I wanted the physical keyboard, at least a 14" screen, and long battery life.  If you get over 8" in an Android tablet, the prices go up extremely fast.  If you need to install Windows applications (programs not found on a tablet) or a Chromebook isn't for you, I would suggest trying to bump up your budget to the next category.  If that isn't an option, I would do my best to try and get a laptop with a Core i processor such as a Core i3 or i5.  If your budget doesn't permit a Core i3 or i5, I would read/watch as many reviews as I could on the computer you are looking at to see if you can live with any negatives mentioned.  YouTube is a great place to watch review videos, because you get to see them in action.  If you stumble on to a laptop or desktop that has an SSD for under $400, I would move that to the top of the list, but make sure the rest of the hardware isn't substandard.  Also, try to get a computer with at least 4GB of RAM/memory.

If you can jump up to the next range, between $500-$800, I would do my best to get (in order of preference) an SSD hard drive, at least 8GB of RAM/memory, and a Core i7.  An ideal scenario is laptop/desktop with an SSD and a second normal hard drive for data.  If you find a setup with an SSD and an additional data drive, a 250 GB SSD is sufficient.  If you can only swing a single SSD, I would try to get an SSD with at least 500 GB,.  Be warned though, a 500 GB SSD could bump the computer up out of your range.   If it does, get a 250 GB SSD and an external hard drive or flash drive for your data.  The SSD is extremely important.  Touch screen is totally up to your preference.

If you are able to swing a budget over $900, then you must certainly want (in order of preference) an SSD, 8 GB of RAM/memory (or more), a Core i7, and an additional regular hard drive as a data drive.  I would argue if you are spending this much, you should also have a video card and a back lit keyboard.  I would probably lean towards a gaming laptop as well.  Even if you do not game, I would look at the gaming laptop brands if I was spending over $900.  Again, touch screen is totally your preference.

I know a lot of you might be wondering what about the brands.  How do you rate the brands?  Well, that is a tough one.  I will do my best though and will rate the brands in order of my preference based on a lot of reviews I've read/seen, experiences I've heard from people, and my own personal experiences as well.  This is based on information at hand as of 4/19/2017.  Tier 1 Asus, MSI, Razer, Origin.  Tier 2 Microsoft, Alienware and Acer.  Tier 3 Samsung and Dell. Tier 4 HP.  Tier 5 Lenovo.  You did not see Toshiba on this list, because the last thing I read they have abandoned the laptop market in North America.  That's a shame too, because I've always liked Toshiba and would have put them as the first name in Tier 2.  

As for Chromebooks.  I have only had 2 of them.  Both were from Acer and I had no complaints.  If I had to rate Chromebooks based on the reviews I have seen/read and what I would personally buy as of 4/19/2017, I would say Acer, Asus, Samsung, and HP would be my top choices.  For Chromebooks, you really just want to have over 4GB of RAM/memory.  The processor isn't as important due to the ChromeOS.  There are arguments out there over quad-core vs dual-core, but for the normal user it isn't that important....again in my opinion.

Please remember these are just my opinions and ultimately you must make your own decisions.  I once again urge you to read and watch various reviews, ask your friends, ask the IT people at work. etc.  Get as much information as you can prior to making your decision.  Probably don't go to the extreme that I do, because I will research a computer for probably a month before I pull the trigger.  The last Chromebook I bought, I spent at least 2 1/2 weeks watching and reading countless reviews.  As long as you do some sort of homework and use the hardware specs I provided, you should do fine.  If you're worried, remember to ask about the return policy and make sure you give it a good test run within that time frame.  If you are "testing" it out, do not store a lot of personal information on it as you will not want to return it with your private data.  I would encourage you to somehow restore it back to it's day 1 state prior to returning it.