Laptop recommendations?

I could use some help here.

I'm looking for a laptop for my mother with a budget of around $3,000 $1167 mainly for web browsing and watching photos and videos.
Her old HP lasted her about ten years, but I guess it's finally time for it to retire.

I've been scrolling through all the threads, but I just can't seem to make a decision on what to pick up at Best Buy.

Thanks.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/laptop-example-link
http://www.bestbuy.com/pricing-guide

The Dell comes with 3 years of manufacturer warranty plus 2 years of coverage through an insurance provider. The Dell competitor has 2 years from the factory plus 2 years via Best Buy. Which one sounds better? You decide. The specs are all there.

Personally, I’d go with the Dell. It’s easier to upgrade and just feels higher quality, though honestly, your mom probably won't care about any of that. Just a heads up: that Dell price is only good until Thursday.

Objectively, a cheaper laptop would get the job done, but since this is a long-term purchase, it makes sense to grab something better than the bare minimum. That said, don't bother spending more than this; you aren't getting anything significantly better for under $500.

https://www.amazon.com/hp-laptop-deals
https://www.techcrunch.com/articles/laptop-market-trends
http://www.bestbuy.com/electronics/laptops-prices

The first one comes with macOS pre-installed and a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Plus, there are some Apple promotions during the first year—basically, if the laptop breaks within that first year, they fix it and refund the cost. You just have to make sure to register for that specific coverage on their site right after you buy it.

The second and third options don't include macOS. That Pavilion model has a 3-year warranty, while the HP one has 2 years plus 3 years of extra protection through a provider like Allstate.

Since we're talking about a desktop replacement, I suggested the 17" model. I'm assuming she'll mostly keep it in one spot rather than lugging it around constantly. Honestly, for those of us getting older, having a larger screen makes a massive difference for the eyes. Believe me. 😬

Thanks for the quick reply.

I'll probably go with one of the options you suggested.

I think I'll prioritize the hard drive and macOS, but I'll likely just decide once I'm actually at the store.

Which processor is better, an i3 or an Intel Core i7?

The i3 is miles ahead, especially compared to those N3700 or N3150 chips.

If you don't absolutely need macOS pre-installed, just grab something with an i3. Moral dilemma aside, if you can find a way to get macOS separately, paying the premium for a laptop that comes with it pre-loaded is just flushing money down the toilet.

I'm still leaning towards that Dell I mentioned earlier.

The i3, especially the newer 5005u, is definitely an upgrade, but honestly, for what you're looking for, the new quad-core options in all three laptops are more than enough. Personally, I'd take the bigger screen over a slightly faster processor any day—you won't even notice the difference in speed anyway.

Ended up picking up a Dell b50 for $1000.

I was leaning toward a Delta, but they didn't have any in stock at the Mall of America (even though I called the Mall of America and they claimed to have three on hand...🙂)

The salesperson tried to push a General Electric on me, but I remembered at the last second that having a DVD drive is actually important to me, and most laptops don't even come with them anymore.

Thanks for the help, everyone.