[Barbara Lynne]

Hi, I want to buy a new laptop because I don’t want to convert my desktop from Windows 7 to 10. I would like suggestions for specs for the new laptop. I want to do research on the net, do some word processing, do email, run some software, etc. Also, I want the ability to connect to my current monitor and printer. Can I do that?

[Komando Community]

Hi Barbara!

Kim and her team have a few different laptop recommendations here:

Buying guide: 18 best laptops and desktop computers to gift this holiday season

I personally would recommend looking for a laptop with an 8th gen i5 processor and at least 8 GB of RAM. You can tell what generation a processor is by the first number. For example, i5-8265U is an 8th gen processor while i5-7300U is a 7th gen processor. So look for i5-8xxx.

What is the difference between i5 and i7? The i5 processor family as considered consumer grade, for most mainstream use. The i7 processors are considered high-end for professional use. In many cases the performance is comparable, so an i5 processor would meet your needs just fine. 

An SSD is also a nice option, as it speeds the loading time of Windows and other programs.

If your current monitor supports an HDMI connection, you should be good to go. If your current monitor only supports VGA or DVI, you may have a hard time finding a laptop with one of those ports. An adapter may be needed. Your printer should connect via USB or WiFi, so no issues there.

[Barbara Lynne]

Thank you. I took your advice and referenced the above article. I purchased the HP Spectre 360. How do ai transfer my data and programs from my current HP desktop (running a Windows 7), to my new laptop?

[TeamKomando:Amber]

Hi Barbara,

Check out this walk-through on moving your files from Windows 7 to Windows 10:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4469209/windows-7-move-files-off-pc-using-backup-and-restore

[Author]

Replies