Shopping for a new computer in 2025
By Malcolm and John Harding of Compu-Home
A lot of people are heading out to buy a new computer just now and it is time to update our suggestions about what to look for, and what to avoid. We have tried to condense the information into what we hope will be the most useful.
Do I need to replace my computer? If your machine is less than eight years old, age is not the most important criterion. Instead think about if it is still able to do all things that you want it to do without signs of malfunction. It is possible for a service technician to help you with this assessment remotely, in half an hour or less. Some tweaking may make a replacement unnecessary.
If your computer’s OS is Windows 10 and it is too old to upgrade to 11 (built pre-2017), it will eventually have to be replaced, although the “October 14, 2025” date announced by Microsoft is not an absolute deadline. More on this in our Compu-Home Blog. Windows 11 is very reliable and not a steep learning curve.
Desktop, laptop or tablet? The smaller size and portability of laptops are a plus. You can connect a full-sized monitor to your laptop for detailed work, which is helpful for some people and some projects. If you are replacing a desktop computer, your current monitor might still be satisfactory with a new computer. Refurbished desktops (which you should consider) are far more common than refurbished laptops. Tablets are okay for quick work but for an extended session many people prefer a real keyboard.
Windows or Macintosh? You are probably best sticking with the world that you are used to. If you intend to switch, it would be very helpful if you have support from someone who is already entrenched. Switching is no panacea for all of your tech problems – both platforms have significant strengths and weaknesses. Macs are considerably more expensive, but their devotees believe the hardware quality is worth the extra cost.
What will it cost? Prices have shot up since the pandemic, although we are now seeing significant sales again. There are add-ons. You will probably have to pay someone to set up the new computer and to transfer data from your old one. You might have to buy some new software. You may opt for an extended warranty. There is HST on everything. Even so, you can get a very decent machine for less than $1000, all-in. Stores typically keep a limited inventory, and models and prices come and go quickly.
Here is a list of what the majority of users we help should look for:
- Manufacturer: HP, Acer, ASUS, Lenovo, Dell or Apple
- Screen (if it’s a laptop): 15.6” (diago nal measurement)
- RAM: 8 or 12 Gigabytes, more is unnecessary for most purposes
- Hard Disk Storage Capacity: 256 Gigabytes or larger
- Processor: Intel i3 or i5, or the equivalent from AMD
On the other hand, you probably do not want to pay for:
- An anti-virus program – the free one in Windows 11 is better and Macs don’t need one.
- Microsoft Office – LibreOffice is a free equivalent, or if you are taking an old computer out of service it may be possible to re-install Microsoft Office from that one. Apple iWork is usually free for Macs.
- A (laptop) touch screen
(Image by anonima2020 from Pixabay)
