Laptop Dreams

I need a new laptop. All THREE of my current laptops died on me at the beginning of this year. Were it not for a kind and generous friend who gave me his old desktop, I'd be without any computer at all. 😞

I'm looking for a powerful but affordable 8th generation or later core i7 or core i9 laptop. I don't need it for gaming but the laptops built for gaming seem to contain the specs I like; however, they're too expensive. I use a laptop as my primary computing device. I'm disabled so I am on a very tight budget.

I do *a lot* of multitasking and usually have a plethora of tabs open in numerous web browsers that put a strain on a system's processing power (think, lots of web apps running in many tabs and windows).

A typical computing session might be: having Gmail, Google Voice, Google Duo, Zoom, Google Docs, Google Sheets™, 10-15 LinkedIn, 25 Facebook, 10 Twitter, my Tweetdeck (that has 38 columns), 50 Pinterest (usually more though as it's so easy to get carried away on their platform!), 5 Instagram, 25 Google Search, Hootsuite, Bit.ly, 5-10 other social media management (like Socialfave, Crowdfire, Buffer, IFTTT, Tailwind, etc.), 15-20 regular news, 10-15 tech, 5-10 tech news, 5-10 Android, 5-10 YouTube, Google Music, 10-20 Amazon.com, 5 eBay, 20-25 other shopping, 50 graphics/picture, and a few screenshots tabs open across Google's Chrome browser in a couple of different windows.

Plus I'm also usually running Evernote, Windows Explorer, a BitTorrent client like Utorrent, TeamViewer, PuTTY SSH, IrfanView, HP Smart, GIMP, VLC and possibly a video editor (usually Shotcut), along with a smattering of some other, miscellaneous programs (Avast Software's anti-malware suite, of course, Google Drive (now called Backup and Sync) and whatever else I might have open). So, that's why I need so much computing power and I'm not a gamer. (But of course, I might just have the odd game or two open on the computer, as well.)

I'm hoping to find something under $1,000.

That's why I definitely *need* an 8th-gen core i7 or greater CPU (e.g., 10th gen core i9--and not the "U" variant as I don't think it will be powerful enough), minimum 16 GB ram, an external graphics card, and either an SSD or an SSD+HDD combo (I don't care how big as I can always upgrade later, plus I have some external storage I can use in the interim). VGA & HDMI out would be nice. Separate mic/headphone jacks would be superb.

I definitely want a 15.6" screen, as that allows for a num pad with the keyboard. I'd love a touchscreen, even if the laptop isn't able to double as a tablet. I'd prefer a WUXGA or better display but will settle Full HD (1920x1080p) resolution, IPS or better, LED or better (not certain if laptop screens have only advanced to OLED or AMOLED). As many USB 3.0 & USB-C ports as possible.

And let's talk about _Easy access to system memory and storage_, shall we? Enough of this having to rip the computer apart to upgrade the RAM or storage. Can we please go back to the days when you just unscrewed a few screws on the bottom of the laptop where well-marked panels were to access storage and memory? Like on my very first ThinkPad or the Dell D620 line?

I don't need an optical drive. If I do need one I can get an external one. Good speakers (I really dig the Bang & Olufsen speakers on HP's laptops) and dual microphones that can eliminate the sound of typing on the keyboard while using the computer as a VoIP or SIP device for communication would be a dream. Actually, it would come in quite handy, and I wonder why no one has produced a plausible solution for this pestiferous problem. All too often have I offended the sonic sensibilities of someone on the other end of a conversation with the loud clacking of my typing, amplified through the laptop's body to be picked up by the microphone and transmitted to their battered ears.

It would be quite nice if the unit would stay cool to the touch. I really liked what I read about the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 laptop and its cooling technology. 

And finally, can we please make this a durable device? I mean, I own a Samsung laptop that I love as it's sleek and adequate but I've sent it in for repair for the same damn issue more than four times now. The power plug ends up getting banged into and that cracks the motherboard or the power port, rendering the laptop unable to make a connection with the power cord afterward. As such, it cannot be charged or even powered on.

So please place the power cord somewhere safe (like the back), perhaps using an L-bracket so it's not jutting straight out. And in the event the laptop falls (even from a bed onto a carpeted floor), the cord won't get bent in and the power port won't crack or break off the motherboard.

While we're at it, please place the exhaust vents in places where we aren't apt to place our bare skin like out hands (and get burned). Maybe you can figure out how to run the air around the computer's edge before venting it out so it doesn't come out quite so hot? IDK... But I swear you could cook sandwiches on the HP Pavillion laptop I owned that actually burned out on me shortly after the warranty expired (and which they refused to repair, even if I purchased an extended warranty).

Well, I think I've gone from my computing requirements to my wishes. I'm certain there are a few other items I could come up with....

I believe both businesses and consumers would really appreciate the features I've requested in my dream laptop if it could be built for under $1,000 (yes, I know, $999.95).

Add a few bells & whistles like full 1TB SSD (instead of, say, 128 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD), or increase the SSD & HDD size (512GB/2TB). Increase the RAM to 24 or 32 GB and use an ultra-high-end graphics card. Put in a 4k touchscreen with a Full HD 3D webcam. Build a 2.1 sound system into the unit, even if you have to detach it or fold it out (like fins, or slide-outs). That would be one hell of a killer gaming rig, for under $1,600.

Pare it down and there would be different models for home and educational (core i3/i5), and business (i5/i7/i9) uses. Yes, use the "U" version of the CPU for ultraportable, as well as Chromebook versions.

So what do you think? What would you include in your dream laptop? What do you think of my ideal laptop? Can you help me find it for under $1,000?

Maybe ASUS, HP, or Acer could just give me a nice price break for coming up with some of these ideas and capitalize on them, or hire me as a consultant.... 

Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!

Oh, and if you'd like to chip in to my laptop fund, feel free to donate via PayPal, CashApp, or Venmo or send an Amazon.com gift card. Thanks! 😃