Is This Laptop Overkill for Light Office Work and Casual Gaming?

I’m in the market for a new laptop primarily for light office tasks like Google Docs and some casual gaming, like older Total War titles and indie games. The main things I’m looking for are a Windows OS and a large screen. I want to make sure it’s capable enough for these tasks without going overboard. Also, I’m considering prices in Canadian dollars. Any suggestions?

image

You might want to check out this Asus Vivobook. It has better specs for less money and could be a good fit for your needs. Just note that it doesn’t have a discrete graphics card. Here’s a link to a deal I found: Asus Vivobook 15

@Dai
Thanks for sharing that! I just picked up one for my son who’s starting college. It seems like a great choice.

@Dai
Wow, that does seem like a solid deal.

For current software and games, 8 GB of RAM might feel a bit limiting, especially looking ahead.

Quill said:
For current software and games, 8 GB of RAM might feel a bit limiting, especially looking ahead.

I manage with just 4 GB of RAM, believe it or not! :sweat_smile:

Paxton said:

Quill said:
For current software and games, 8 GB of RAM might feel a bit limiting, especially looking ahead.

I manage with just 4 GB of RAM, believe it or not! :sweat_smile:

Are you running Linux Lite by any chance?

@Sky
Nope, I’m on Windows 10. I tried Windows 11, but it was a bit too much for my setup, so I switched back. But yes, I’m sticking with Windows for now.

Have you checked out Costco? They usually have good deals on laptops with better specs for similar prices. Try filtering for 16 GB of RAM in their app under the computers and laptops section.

Micah said:
Have you checked out Costco? They usually have good deals on laptops with better specs for similar prices. Try filtering for 16 GB of RAM in their app under the computers and laptops section.

Here’s a screenshot from the Costco app showing some options: Costco 16 GB RAM Laptops

If you don’t mind a refurbished model, you could get a great deal on a basic laptop with decent specs. There’s a deal on Microcenter for an HP with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD for under $360. Although I’d personally prefer Linux, if you need a new device, you might want to wait since the new Lunar Lake laptops are about to drop with better battery life.

@Fife
Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend HP. I’ve had bad experiences with their products.

Paxton said:
@Fife
Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend HP. I’ve had bad experiences with their products.

If you’re looking to step it up a notch, there’s also a deal on a Lenovo Yoga with impressive specs. I’ve had issues with HP overheating, but then again, I had a Thinkpad arrive DOA and got it fixed under warranty within days. Every brand can have its issues.

@Fife
My HP laptop lasted only a year before it died on me. I had to go back to using my old PC.

What are the specs of the laptop you’re currently using?

I’d recommend waiting until after the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). It’s just a few days away, and there could be new tech announcements that might influence your decision.

Not a fan of waiting, huh?