She is starting an online school program next semester and we will have to buy her a notebook. She has a Chromebook from the local public school system which she will have to return at the end of the year.

The new online school mandates that the notebook must run either Mac OS or at least Windows 7. That means no Chromebook and no Linux. They give absolutely no specs on what is needed in terms of hardware, but I’m guessing it’s not much more than web browsing, zoom and some sort of proprietary software Pearson, who is behind the school (I know they suck, but the program she’s in now is so much worse), probably makes them run.

I really doubt she needs anything powerful. We’d like to spend less than $300. Even $200 if we could because we are down to a single income. Obviously, that means no Macbook, and I don’t think it’s worth getting one even if we can afford it.

So here’s my question. There are a bunch of sub-$200 name brand notebooks on Amazon- no way am I buying some weird Chinese brand and I’m wary of buying used because I don’t want to chance something going bad in the middle of the semester. The notebooks on Amazon have really poor specs, like 4 GB of RAM, but maybe they will work?

Here’s an example - https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Vivobook-Processor-Microsoft-L510MA-AS02/dp/B09SVR5VD4?ref_=Oct_DLandingS_D_dd93bda7_2&th=1

Intel Celeron N4020 processor, 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. Windows 11 Home S Mode, but claims you can switch out of S mode, which I’ll probably have to do to install whatever software they want me to install.

Since they will accept a Win 7 notebook, I imagine that whatever they want us to run does not need a powerful machine, but will 4GB RAM be so little for Win 11 that the machine will be ridiculously slow even just running things like a web browser and Zoom? Would it be worth getting it and then installing an older version of Windows? Is that even possible these days?

I haven’t bought a computer since 2015 and, because of the industry I worked in, it was an iMac. I also have a Macbook for the same reason. I’m not particularly interested in remaining in the Apple sphere when the ones I have need to be replaced, but I basically know nothing about Windows at this point.

TL;DR - Online school mandates a Win machine, there are really cheap ones, but I don’t know if I should buy one.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

  • roterkern70@lemmy.world
    2·
    7 months ago

    I recently got a second hand mid 2012 Macbook Pro for roughly 150 USD. I live in a third world country and I would call that a good deal. It has 8GB ram, 250GB SSD. 3rd gen Intel CPU but gets the job done.

    I use PhotoShop very much, besides school work. You can maybe find something similar on eBay.

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldOP
      4·
      7 months ago

      I would guess the battery on a 2012 MBP is worthless. I have a 2015 Air and the battery is basically gone. I’d also be worried about a computer that old lasting through the semester. I don’t want to take that kind of risk, but thanks.

      • roterkern70@lemmy.world
        31·
        7 months ago

        You are very right. It only gets the job done but that’s about it. Seeing new Macbooks going on for hours and hours, it’s impressive.

    • roterkern70@lemmy.world
      1·
      7 months ago

      And good thing about 2012 and early models is that you can upgrade parts. Maybe find a 4GB model for cheaper and upgrade it.

      Lastly it gives me about 4 hours of battery life, doing school work (presentations, documents). If I use PhotoShop, it lasts 2 hours and I call it a day.