I am currently shopping for a new laptop and I hope I can get some good advice on what to buy. Right now I have an Acer Aspire E 15.6" Core i5 2.20 GHz, 5th generation with 8GB ram that was purchased in 2015. I also have a 13" Acer Spin i5 1.6 GHz, 8th generation touch screen with 8GB ram that I bought late in 2019. I am looking to update the former.
I run a lot of applications (I am a daytrader) and need speed / multitasking as my number priority. Here are my priorities:
-speed, and more speed with extensive multi-tasking capability
-I want a 15.6" screen so that if I use it on my own without a monitor, it has decent size to it
-Intel i5 or i7 with a minimum of 8GB ram essential
-I want an SSD, storage space not a major issue although 512GB would be better than 256GB
-PRICE: I do not have a specific budget except that I would like to keep it as low as possible (I don't want to pay over $1,000 with taxes
-Warranty: longer with better service is better without having to pay extra for it
-Brand: I honestly have no preference - although my last 3 laptops have been Acers (likely because I have gotten the best bang for the buck)
-Open box or refurbished would be fine as long as the warranty is sufficient
-I think I have listed everything I can think of other than the fact that I am in Canada and that can be a major factor when purchasing online in terms of price / shipping etc.
-In other words, a Canadian retailer is important in most cases
When I was shopping for last laptop and ended up with my Acer Spin, I was seeking a smaller laptop (under 13" or smaller) with a touch screen. The fact it had tablet functionality is a bonus. The fact that I wanted a touch screen definitely limited my options and drove the price up. This time around, I am looking for a larger laptop (15.6") and a touch screen is not necessary (although I love the function!). I am hopeful that this will increase my options greatly and also provide me with a lot more choices. I have considered a desktop but I think that at this point in time, a 15.6" laptop will do the trick. I am of the mentality that if I can get a really good price on a machine with the specs I am looking for, it is worth it. By that I mean I would rather pay $500 and get something good than having to pay $1000 just because it's not an open box, a refurbished machine, or has a better name. The extra $ I don't need to spend could be very useful for other things - even an additional laptop in our home or a monitor. I have been scouring sites like Amazon, Best Buy, Staples, and Costco, to name a few. I appreciate any suggestions or links based on my needs.
THANKS.