Laptop recommendations please

[OutdatedITGal]

I am a regular poster but no for this.

I am unemployed at the moment but would like to increase my income and eventually be back to working full time but there are restrictions so wfh is my best option.

To do this I need a laptop.

I used to be all savvy and knew the market better but I’m so long out of it now I feel clueless.

It needs to be:

Robust - I can be clumsy
Easy to use
Good quality screen

Needs to do:

All standard “office” use - docs, spreadsheets, database management, presentations etc I’m used to windows but not averse to trying a Mac

Audio typing & transcription

Video and voip calls - good, reliable quality

Good memory for graphics - graphic design, photos, video and even editing to a reasonably high standard

Social media - including possible professional management of such

Streaming for fun

So I am hoping you lovely lot will give me some recommendations.

I don’t even know what budget.

In the past I’ve had to get cheap but best I can manage in a budget but I actually have a little more leeway this time but I don’t want to waste my money either, want it to last me a while. Also because I may want/need to buy accompanying equipment - printer, software etc

Keep the language simple please? TIA

If you can stretch to the cost, a Dell XPS is a decent shout from a quality/performance perspective.

Doesn't need to be a top spec XPS, an entry level one will do all you want and do it very well.

Thanks for replying. Dell was first computer I bought as an adult funnily enough, years ago now. A desktop then.

Can I ask why the recommendation? What sets it apart from others?

Very high build quality, decent spec components, great screen, very customisable during the order process, nice looking, good performance, strong residual value when used, good customer support. Strong reputation.

Bumping as while I am very grateful to you PrawnSacrifice I would like to hear from as many as possible

Also the dell is quite pricy and want to know I’m making a good decision if I spend that much

very customisable during the order process is that ordering direct from dell? How do they deliver? I’m thinking I may need to wait until after lockdown as don’t want a doorstep delivery for something so expensive (I live in a dodgy area)

strong residual value when used what does this mean?

good customer support again is that when ordering direct from dell? After sales service?

Which? Recommends a windows laptop which is much cheaper and seems to also have good spec etc

If you've got the budget, a Macbook Pro is a game changer.
You can get plenty of second hand ones on Facebook Marketplace and eBay! Even the 2015-2016 models are brilliant so no need to necessarily go for the latest model. X

I wouldn’t buy second hand tech ever I’ve had bad experiences in the past doing so and never will again. For such an expensive purchase I want the product guaranteed and replaced if problems plus it’s easier and cheaper to insure ime.

The price is slightly offputting too. I’m mostly used to windows and ms office but I have an iPhone and adapted easily enough to that from android phones and find iPhones much faster, user friendly and good quality.

Strong residual value when used - if you want to upgrade in a few years, you will still be able to sell it for a decent amount of money as there is always demand.

Yes, order direct from Dell. Their customer support is very good.

You only need to order the minimum spec one to keep the price low, but it will give you the same great build quality.

The Dell XPS13 has been rated best overall laptop by most Magazines and websites for a few years now.

MacBook Pro - Yes, amazing pieces of kit (i'm on one now), from a quality perspective, but the software can be an issue if you're used to a Windows machine and Officer Software, plus they are blooming expensive.

I stand by my recommendation for a Dell XPS13 for a price/performance/quality/longevity ratio perspective - if Windows is your preferred platform.

Dell would not leave an item like that on your door step - they would ring your bell, leave it on the mat, stand back to a safe distance until you opened the door then take a picture as proof of delivery - most delivery companies are now doing this as its safer and stops shady people denying they received delivery.

The Dell Latitude 7000 series is a good alternative to the XPS. We got one for DS to take to uni and I liked it so much I got one myself.

Note that they're all in short supply since the world started to WFH.

I absolutely would not accept any kind of doorstep delivery I want it placed in my hand!

I’d also want one that serves me for more than a few years especially at those prices!

I thought perhaps short supply due to so many wfh too. That’s another reason I’m thinking to wait until after lockdown.

Dell jacked up the prices obscenely thanks to the shortage. I bought my Latitude 7000 about two years ago and paid about 40% less than what they want now for the same machine.