Start with what you want to do, the screen you can read comfortably, and the programs you already use. You do not need the most expensive computer for email, bills, and video calls.
Reviewed November 1, 2026 · Selected current U.S. models and newly announced models. These are buying-guide examples, not computers stocked by Mark. The “best for” suggestions below are practical guidance, not a guarantee for every user.
First: where will you use it?
The shape of a computer matters as much as the name on the box. All three choices can handle email, online banking, documents, photos, and video calls when properly configured.
Laptop
Choose this if: You move between rooms, travel, or want to bring your computer to family or appointments.
What you get: Screen, keyboard, touchpad, camera, and battery in one portable unit.
Consider: Smaller screens and keyboards may feel cramped. Try lifting it and using the keyboard. A 15- or 16-inch screen is often more comfortable at home; a 13- or 14-inch model is easier to carry.
A useful compromise: Connect a larger monitor, mouse, and keyboard at your desk. Check the ports and any adapter costs first.
Desktop tower or mini
Choose this if: You mostly sit at one desk and want a screen and keyboard chosen for your comfort.
What you get: A separate computer box. A mini is a small desktop, not a laptop.
Consider: Budget for a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and possibly a webcam and speakers. There are more connections to set up. Most need wall power at all times.
Long-term benefit: You can usually keep the monitor when replacing the computer. Towers often have more upgrade options; small desktops vary.
All-in-one
Choose this if: You want a tidy desk, a larger built-in screen, and no separate tower.
What you get: The computer is inside the display. Many include a camera and speakers; check the keyboard and mouse bundle.
Consider: It stays at a desk and needs wall power. Internal upgrades and repairs are often more limited. A screen or computer failure can affect the whole unit.
Try before buying: Check glare, text size, stand height, and camera position. Touch is optional, not necessary. Do not assume it can later serve as a separate monitor.
A quick way to decide: Need to carry it? Start with a laptop. Staying at one desk and want flexibility? Start with a desktop plus a comfortable monitor. Prefer a neat, combined setup? Compare all-in-ones.
My eyesight, hands, or desk space make shopping difficult. What should I try?
- Try larger text and display scaling before deciding a screen is too small. More pixels do not automatically mean larger words.
- Try a full-size keyboard, a comfortable mouse, and a screen you can position without leaning forward.
- For a permanent desk, compare 24- and 27-inch monitors in person. Larger is useful only if it fits your desk and viewing distance.
- Check speaker volume, webcam quality, glare, and how easily you can reach the power button and ports.
Bring a list of your everyday tasks and accessories. You do not need to know the technical terms.
Windows computers to consider
Choose a model below to read who it suits and what to check.
Dell 16S (DS16260, 2026)Best starting point for: everyday work with a larger laptop screen
What it is: A 16-inch Windows laptop with Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors. Configurations include touch and non-touch screens.
Who it suits: A useful starting point for home tasks, office documents, and people who prefer a larger screen.
Before buying: A 16-inch laptop is less convenient to carry than a smaller model. Confirm the exact screen, memory, and ports before ordering.
Manufacturer details and current options ↗Surface Laptop: 13-inch (2nd Edition) / 13.8- and 15-inch (8th Edition)Best starting point for: a touchscreen laptop for home or travel
What it is: Microsoft’s current Surface Laptop range has touchscreens. The 13-inch model is the smallest; the 15-inch gives you more screen space.
Who it suits: Consider the smaller model for frequent carrying, or the 15-inch for documents and easier side-by-side viewing.
Before buying: These consumer models use Snapdragon processors. Ask Mark to check older programs, printers, scanners, and specific games for compatibility before buying.
Manufacturer details and current options ↗Dell 24 All-in-One (EC24260)Best starting point for: a clear desk and a larger, fixed screen
What it is: The computer is built into a 23.8-inch display. This current model offers Intel Core Ultra Series 3 options.
Who it suits: A practical choice for email, family video calls, documents, and people who leave their computer in one place.
Before buying: Touchscreen availability depends on the configuration. An all-in-one usually offers fewer upgrade choices than a separate desktop tower.
Manufacturer details and current options ↗Dell Tower (ECT1250)Best starting point for: keeping a favorite monitor and keyboard
What it is: A current Windows desktop tower with upgradeable memory and storage, and Intel Core Ultra options.
Who it suits: Consider it for a home office or a fixed workspace where you want to choose your own monitor size.
Before buying: Check whether the monitor, webcam, speakers, and Wi-Fi are included. Gaming depends on the specific graphics card, not the tower name.
Manufacturer details and current options ↗Dell XPS 16 Creator EditionBest starting point for: demanding creative software
What it is: Announced October 2026 as part of Dell’s new Windows PC lineup.
Who it suits: Worth comparing for serious creative work after checking your editing or design software requirements.
Before buying: Confirm actual availability, price, graphics configuration, and software support. This is more computer than most email and browsing users need.
Manufacturer details and current options ↗A few more choices across laptop, all-in-one, and compact desktop designs. Compare the exact configuration and total cost, rather than assuming one brand is always best.
HP OmniBook 5 — 14- and 16-inch optionsA starting point for: Everyday Windows use with a choice of screen sizes
What it is: A laptop family with several configurations. The smaller size is easier to carry; the larger size gives more viewing space.
Who it suits: Compare it for browsing, documents, video calls, and general home use.
Before buying: The name covers different processors, screens, RAM, and storage. Some use Snapdragon, so check older programs and accessories. Aim for 16 GB RAM and a 512 GB SSD where budget permits.
Manufacturer details and current options ↗ASUS Vivobook 14 / 16 (2026)A starting point for: A straightforward laptop for daily tasks
What it is: The 2026 X1407AA and X1607AA models offer 14- and 16-inch screens and Intel processor options.
Who it suits: Compare the 14-inch for portability or the 16-inch for a roomier view of documents and websites.
Before buying: Confirm the exact model number and configuration: older Vivobooks use similar names. Try the keyboard, check screen glare, and verify memory and storage rather than choosing only by processor name.
Manufacturer details and current options ↗Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO — 24-inch familyA starting point for: A Windows all-in-one for a permanent desk
What it is: An all-in-one with the computer built into the display; Intel and AMD configurations appear in the range.
Who it suits: Consider it for email, family video calls, and documents when a tidy desk and separate keyboard appeal to you.
Before buying: Some listings have only 8 GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD. Compare a 16 GB / 512 GB configuration if available, and check whether the screen is touch, how the stand adjusts, and what accessories are included. Availability differs across generations.
Manufacturer details and current options ↗Lenovo ThinkCentre neo 50q Gen 5 (Intel) TinyA starting point for: A small Windows desktop with a separate monitor
What it is: A compact desktop box designed to take up less space than a tower.
Who it suits: Consider it if you want to keep a suitable monitor and keyboard, or choose a larger screen independently of the computer.
Before buying: Monitor and accessory costs matter. Check the exact RAM, SSD, Wi-Fi, display connections, and warranty. A small case does not mean every part is easy to upgrade.
Manufacturer details and current options ↗Apple computers to consider
Choose a model below to read who it suits and what to check.
MacBook Neo (2026)Best starting point for: a lower-cost entry into a new mac
What it is: A 13-inch Apple laptop powered by A18 Pro, designed for everyday use.
Who it suits: A starting point for email, browsing, video calls, schoolwork, and people buying their first Mac.
Before buying: Compare memory, storage, ports, and screen comfort with MacBook Air. Light everyday use and demanding creative work are different needs.
Manufacturer details and current options ↗MacBook Air with M5 (2026)Best starting point for: everyday use, travel, and family photos
What it is: Apple’s current MacBook Air comes in 13- and 15-inch sizes and starts with 512 GB storage.
Who it suits: A versatile Apple laptop for everyday tasks, documents, photos, and carrying between rooms or on trips.
Before buying: The smaller model is easier to carry; the larger one gives more viewing space. Check your software and any adapters needed for older accessories.
Manufacturer details and current options ↗24-inch iMac with M6 — newly announcedBest starting point for: an apple computer with the screen built in
What it is: Apple’s new all-in-one includes a 24-inch display, camera, speakers, and color-matched accessories.
Who it suits: A good starting point for an Apple household that wants a tidy, permanent desk setup.
Before buying: Pre-orders are open; Apple lists availability beginning November 6, 2026. Check included accessories and ports on the chosen configuration.
Manufacturer details and current options ↗Mac mini with M6 / M5 Pro (2026)Best starting point for: using a separate, comfortable-size monitor
What it is: A small Apple desktop. M6 and M5 Pro configurations are available in the current lineup.
Who it suits: Consider M6 for everyday home and office use, or compare M5 Pro for more demanding work.
Before buying: Budget separately for a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and any camera or speakers you need. Check existing accessories before reusing them.
Manufacturer details and current options ↗MacBook Pro: new M6 and PROLED XDR modelsBest starting point for: video editing and other demanding projects
What it is: The new 14-inch M6 model and premium PROLED XDR models serve different needs. PROLED versions use M5 Pro or M5 Max and add a touch display.
Who it suits: Compare these for sustained creative work, specialized apps, or a higher-end display. An Air is a more sensible starting point for many everyday users.
Before buying: Apple lists November 6, 2026 availability for these newly announced models. Confirm the exact model: “Pro,” “M6,” and “PROLED” do not mean the same configuration.
Manufacturer details and current options ↗RAM and storage: two different kinds of space
Both are measured in GB (gigabytes), which makes shopping confusing. They do different jobs. 1 TB (terabyte) is roughly 1,000 GB.
RAM = your worktable
RAM is temporary working space for the apps and browser tabs you have open right now. A larger worktable lets you spread out more tasks at once.
Too little RAM can cause slow switching between apps. Closing unused apps can help. RAM does not hold your photo collection permanently; unsaved work can be lost when power is off.
More RAM does not increase the space available for saved photos.
Storage = your filing cabinet
Storage keeps Windows or macOS, your programs, photos, documents, and other saved files, including when the computer is turned off.
An SSD (solid-state drive) is a fast type of storage with no spinning disk. For an everyday computer, choose an SSD as the main drive rather than an older spinning hard drive.
A bigger drive holds more files; it does not replace RAM. A backup is still needed.
Mark’s practical starting point for a new everyday computer: 16 GB RAM + 512 GB SSD. This is buying advice for a comfortable setup, not a rule that every working computer must meet. Your apps, budget, and existing file collection may change the choice.
How much RAM should I choose?
Practical home-use guidance for Windows PCs and Macs| RAM amount | What it means for you |
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| 4 GB | Windows 11’s published minimum RAM requirement, but not Mark’s recommendation for buying a new everyday PC. Little room for modern apps and several tasks. |
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| 8 GB | Can work for light email, documents, and a few browser tabs, especially on a modest budget. Less room to grow; judge an existing computer by how it actually performs. |
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| 16 GB | A sensible target for a new everyday computer: video calls, photos, documents, and several apps or tabs open. |
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| 24–32 GB or more | Consider for heavier photo/video work, demanding programs, or substantial multitasking. Usually unnecessary just for email and online banking. |
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Apple calls RAM “unified memory” on many Macs. Treat it as working space when shopping, but do not assume a smaller number is automatically equal to twice as much Windows RAM. Check your actual apps. Many Macs and thin laptops cannot have their memory increased later.
How much storage should I choose?
Choose space for your files, with room to grow| SSD size | A useful starting point |
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| 128 GB or less | Very limited for a general-purpose Windows PC or Mac. The operating system, apps, and updates use some of this space before your files are added. |
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| 256 GB | A workable lower-cost option for light use with a small local file collection. You may need to manage space or use external/cloud storage. |
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| 512 GB | A comfortable starting target for many home users who keep documents, apps, and a moderate photo collection. |
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| 1 TB or more | Consider for a large photo/video collection, many downloaded files, or games. Check how much you already use before paying for extra capacity. |
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What is the official minimum—and why not buy to that number?
Microsoft lists 4 GB RAM and a 64 GB or larger storage device among Windows 11’s minimum requirements. Those numbers describe eligibility, not a promise of comfortable everyday performance. Processor, security hardware, and other requirements also apply; RAM and storage alone do not establish compatibility.
Mac requirements depend on the model, macOS version, and apps. Neither Apple nor Microsoft’s minimum should replace checking your own needs.
Microsoft: Windows 11 minimum requirements ↗How can I check what I have now?
Windows 11: Open Settings → System → About for installed RAM. Open Settings → System → Storage for used and available drive space.
Mac: Open the Apple menu → About This Mac for memory. Open System Settings → General → Storage for used storage. Names may differ on older versions.
For example, if your old computer already uses about 300 GB, a 256 GB replacement is too small to hold everything locally. Ask Mark to allow room for new files and updates.
Cloud storage is separate. An iCloud, OneDrive, or Google storage subscription does not physically enlarge the computer’s SSD. Files kept online may need internet access. Keep some free drive space and maintain a separate backup plan.
Manufacturer links open in a new tab. Availability, prices, and configurations change; verify them before purchase.
