Osamenor
Staff member
So, I'm getting a new laptop. My Chromebook doesn't seem reparable and isn't working now, and I want to replace it with a Windows or Mac laptop, so I can run real astrology software on it (I think I want Solar Fire) and have some actual hard drive storage. Mostly, I work online and use cloud services for just about everything, but when I'm starting practice as an astrologer, there are some things that just aren't as good in the cloud.
Here's what I want:
- A fairly lightweight laptop, so it's easy to carry. I'll probably be carrying it with me a few times a week, not just using it at home.
- Something with minimal susceptibility to bugs and viruses.
- Minimal need for backup and updating. I hate doing that and, frankly, will probably have trouble remembering to. That was a big reason why I opted for a Chromebook previously.
- Good for running astrology software, obviously. Solar Fire comes in both Windows and Mac versions, so it could work on either. In my experience, Macs are pretty user friendly when it comes to actually using them, but require a lot of work to keep them backed up and updated (I don't know if that's more so than Windows, or just my impression).
- Long battery life
- Good durability and longevity: unlikely to break easily, won't need many repairs, won't need to be replaced very soon.
- Sound that works well enough for webinars and Skyping and things like that, but it doesn't have to be anything high end.
Here's what I don't need: high end graphics (I'll watch the occasional video on my computer, but I don't do gaming or much photography), touch screen or detachable keyboard (I like my computer to be a computer - if I wanted a tablet, I'd get a tablet instead).
So, for you astrologers (and amateurs), what would you recommend, based on laptops you have experience with? (And if you don't use yours for astrology, other than visiting an astrology site, that's fine - as long as you have experience with some of what I'm looking for.)
Here's what I want:
- A fairly lightweight laptop, so it's easy to carry. I'll probably be carrying it with me a few times a week, not just using it at home.
- Something with minimal susceptibility to bugs and viruses.
- Minimal need for backup and updating. I hate doing that and, frankly, will probably have trouble remembering to. That was a big reason why I opted for a Chromebook previously.
- Good for running astrology software, obviously. Solar Fire comes in both Windows and Mac versions, so it could work on either. In my experience, Macs are pretty user friendly when it comes to actually using them, but require a lot of work to keep them backed up and updated (I don't know if that's more so than Windows, or just my impression).
- Long battery life
- Good durability and longevity: unlikely to break easily, won't need many repairs, won't need to be replaced very soon.
- Sound that works well enough for webinars and Skyping and things like that, but it doesn't have to be anything high end.
Here's what I don't need: high end graphics (I'll watch the occasional video on my computer, but I don't do gaming or much photography), touch screen or detachable keyboard (I like my computer to be a computer - if I wanted a tablet, I'd get a tablet instead).
So, for you astrologers (and amateurs), what would you recommend, based on laptops you have experience with? (And if you don't use yours for astrology, other than visiting an astrology site, that's fine - as long as you have experience with some of what I'm looking for.)