The wife has been talking about getting a new laptop for quite a while. I've been a Windows guy forever, currently using Win10, but I warned her off of Windows 11 because of the app calls Recall embedded in the OS, which takes screenshots of your screen every few seconds and stores it on your drive. I found out that you can opt out of Recall during setup but it shouldn't be there at all. (see the bottom of this post for details of Recall provided by Grok) It's a matter of principle, but also, she doesn't want banking info, Social Security, credit card info and the like captured. Based upon the new information about Recall, a Win11 machine may still be in her future, but right now, we're looking elsewhere.


She knows all Apple products are not inexpensive and that includes their laptops but this is a key purchase for her and she knows she'll have to shell out the coin.

We're going to visit an Apple store soon but I thought I might ask you guys for recommendations.

She's not a gamer and she doesn't watch movies on a laptop, although I told her she may change her mind with a MacBook.

She's not going to be doing anything which heavily taxes the resources of a machine, but she needs storage for photos and the like and she's a dedicated shopper, so, surfing the web is a given.

Obviously, she doesn't need the top end of the spectrum but she wants something nice, so, no refurbs or base models.

Any recommendations will be welcome. No Linux or anything else, please. Just Apple


Grok on Windows 11 app named Recall

Windows 11 includes a feature called Recall as part of its Copilot+ suite on certain Snapdragon X Series laptops (Copilot+ PCs). Recall takes snapshots of your active screen every few seconds to create a searchable record of your activities, which can help you find previously viewed content like websites, files, or apps. These snapshots are stored locally on your hard drive in an encrypted database and are not uploaded to Microsoft or shared with third parties. The feature is designed to remain private and is linked to your user profile, with access protected by Windows Hello authentication.

However, Recall is not enabled by default. You must explicitly opt in during the setup process of a Copilot+ PC, and you can disable it, pause it, or delete snapshots at any time. You can also exclude specific apps or websites from being captured. Due to privacy and security concerns raised by users and researchers, Microsoft made Recall an opt-in feature and added safeguards, such as ensuring snapshots are encrypted and not accessible to other users on the same device.

Some concerns persist, as the database could potentially be accessed by malware or hackers if they gain administrative access to your PC, and Recall does not hide sensitive information like passwords displayed on-screen. The feature is still in preview and only available on specific hardware (Copilot+ PCs), not all Windows 11 devices.

If you’re concerned about privacy, you can avoid enabling Recall or use settings to disable it completely via Settings > Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots or through the Local Group Policy Editor. For most Windows 11 users, unless you’re using a Copilot+ PC and have opted in, no such screenshotting feature is active.

I’d suggest the same thing my next laptop will be.

MacBook Air 15”, 16GB/512Gb or 24GB/512GB.

I’m going to get the 24GB of RAM because I leave waaaaaay too many browser tabs open.

Unless she’s doing hardcore video or photo editing, it’ll do everything possible.

quote:

Obviously, she doesn't need the top end of the spectrum but she wants something nice, so, no refurbs or base models.

I would have full confidence in an Apple refurb. I had one. Packaging and all was like new. Warranty too, as I recall.

I have a 13” MacBook Air refurb, that I bought from Apple about 2 years ago. It replaced a refurbished MacBook Air that I had for about 10 years. It still worked fine, it just wouldn’t update anymore, and some of the connectivity with my iPhone and iPad didn’t work properly.
If I’m still alive when this one gets old, I’ll buy another refurbished one.

quote:

Originally posted by onegeek:

MacBook Air 15”, 16GB/512Gb

This one. also iCloud is better for photo storage.

ALTERNITIVELY while there look at the iPad air with the magic keyboard. its sort of a laptop, but if she wants to lounge on the couch and browse the internet a tablet is tough to beat.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

she wants something nice, so, no refurbs or base models.

You might want to re-think that. A refurb that is purchased from Apple is 100% as good as a new retail unit. Maybe better.

When Apple sells a refurb, it has been inspected, has a new battery, has a new outer shell (case), has a new screen, and has the same warranty as a new retail unit. The major difference is the 15% that you save (and an additional 10% if you are eligible for the military / veteran discount).

My wife and I have Apple computers, iPads, iPhones, and Apple Watches that were purchased from Apple as refurbs, we have been doing this as our first choice for at least ten years, and have never been disappointed.

Look at the Apple website (apple.com), and at the very bottom of any page on that site you will find a link to the refurbished Apple product store. You can order there and two-day delivery is free. Might be a good idea to go to an Apple store to browse the various offerings, then look at the Apple refurb web page to see if the configuration that you want is available there. The refurbished stock changes daily, so if you see what you want, grab it!

As far as which model would be suitable for the use that you described, I would suggest a mid-range MacBook Air. We use external storage (external hard drive and / or Apple's iCloud drive) for things like photos, etc. -- it's easy to set this up for individual and / or shared access, so my wife and I each have individual storage and we also share some.

I went crazy with a MacBook Pro M4 Pro 48GB RAM. Love using it, every minute I am on it.

A MacBook Air is perfect for most. My wife uses one, from 2021.

Key is to get the Apple processor…M3, M4, etc.

Well I would choose an apple macbook pro. 14" with the 512gb HDD. But don't plan on keeping all those important pics in one place. Plan on backing up those important docs/pics. Sure you can go with a 16"book, or a 1TB drive, but don't waste the money.

I’ve always been a PC guy, sort of pooh-poohing the Mac setup. But I bought a 2012 MacBook Pro 15” a few years ago. TommyP helped me out with a hard drive swap (SSD instead of spinner), and that 13-year-old machine runs like a champ!

Recently I decided to treat myself to an upgrade, catching the 13” MacBook Air (Apple M4 chip, 16GB memory, 256GB drive) on sale at Best Buy for $850 or so. Prices may be similar now, with Amazon’s sale thing going on. This little machine kicks butt.

I’d like to have gotten the 15” Pro, but this 13” Air is adequate and the smaller size makes it easy to drop into a backpack and take off with it. Above all, this thing is LIGHT. I love that, especially compared to my old, heavy Pro.

Not that it affects Mrs Parabellum, but migration from old Mac to new Mac was a breeze — simply trouble-free.

Have a good look at the ports available on the Mac you choose. This one has two USB-C ports, and that’s all. Anker makes a great USB-C hub (model 555) that will bring you the extra ports you may want (HDMI, Ethernet, old-school USB) at a very reasonable price.

Good luck, and happy Mac-ing.

I would say to test drive a few of Apple’s machines at either an Apple Store, or Best Buy.

I use an iPad Pro with the apple keyboard/case. Then you get touch screen, and the keyboard both. For her needs it would be sufficient. If it has to be a laptop then a MacBook Air.

I switched over to Macs in 2014 and haven’t looked back. Not a single OS or machine issue in that time.

I started a thread a month of so ago on me getting my wife a Mac Book Air. She absolutely loves it. I'm not a fan of Apple but when my wife love's it I do to. The forum members gave some great insight into the Apple ecosystem. The one thing my better half didn't like was no touch screen. I love it on Windows laptops but very small draw back. Very small! Oh, if your wife is already in the Apple ecosystem (iPad, iPhone) a MacBook will be nice. Very Nice. The wife was very impressed with the integration.

Bytes Thread On Wifes MacBook

I have an Ipad, Mini Ipad and the base model MacBook. I was sick of Windows and wanted full compatibility with my IPhone. The OS takes some learning, but once you get it down, the MacBook beats Windows hands down. I bought my MacBook off Amazon.

Before you shell out silly money for a bigger hard drive, decide if an external is workable for her. A TB or 2 is dirt cheap in a small form factor compared to paying Apple prices. I bumped my memory to 16 in my current Air but had 8 in my last one and it never stuttered.

I can't speak to Recall, I've never been close to having my ass kicked by Malware. Ensigmatic (I miss his insight) gave great advice as to never log into you PC as an admin. I can't speak to macOS login access levels and Recall but I'm pretty sure that won't apply in your wife's case.

The Air of the size she prefers when at the store, upgrade hard drive one level above standard and get iCloud for permanent storage, dirt cheap. Do not be concerned about a refurb as good as new. FYI if veteran there is a discount and student if she is taking a class.

Macbook Air is fine, Tabitha LOVES her iPad and I have an iMac M4.

MacBook Air. It now comes in a 15" screen. Look at her storage needs and get the size she will need years down the road, as Apple devices are not really upgradeable anymore.

Use Time Machine and/or iCloud for backups. It is the best backup program I've used.

MacBook Air worked great for me but I upgraded to the regular MacBook. Both are great and I have had zero problems. I have never used refurbs but whoever gets my trade ins get some good machines. I usually traded mine in before they get too old and lose their value. My trade ins look like new when I upgrade. I would suppose there are others like me that do the same.

I use Apple products and windows laptops and desktops at home. If I did not use so many MS programs at work that I am used to (like Excel and PowerPoint) I would go exclusively to Apple at home.

MacBook Air in either the 13” or 15”. I prefer the 13.

16GB unified memory is fine. Pick the SSD size one notch higher than you think you need.

The current Apple Silicon Mac laptops in any configuration are, IMO, the best laptops ever available.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:

quote:

Obviously, she doesn't need the top end of the spectrum but she wants something nice, so, no refurbs or base models.

I would have full confidence in an Apple refurb. I had one. Packaging and all was like new. Warranty too, as I recall.

Strongly endorse MacBook Air and MAC refurb. I got a refurb iPad and it is just as good as new. It included NEW: glass, battery, case, box, free 2-day shipping and same as new warranty and return policy. (Gun to my head, you cannot tell the difference)

Depending on model, they seem to run 20-30% off new price, subject to availability. Might have to take a different color or a model (higher ram) than initially intended. OR, check back, inventory changes daily, I only waited a week to get the exact iPad model/color I wanted.

Are you a Vet? With ID Me, you can get an additional 10% off (Even the refurbs)