Purchasing a Windows Computer

I would like a computer that is portable so that I can work on the go, during travel, and when I am away from home. I do not have a preference for brand and am familiar with both Apple and Windows operating systems. I would have a preference for a touch screen laptop if available within my budget, which is $1500 for the computer and $500 for the software. This paper will compare three advertisements for computers based on specs and affordability.
The advertisement for the Apple MacBook Pro on the Best Buy website is compared to the advertisement for the Microsoft Surface on Amazon and the Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 on Dell’s website. The Dell computer has the largest screen size at 15 inches. However, for a laptop that is meant to be taken on the go, 15 inches is pushing the boundaries of portability. The best size is the Microsoft Surface at 13.5 inches. It is neither too small nor too large to allow the laptop to be easily transportable.
All three systems have similar RAM and all three come with solid state drives. The Dell comes with the most drive space, however, with 256 GB, which is a lot for usage. The Dell also comes with the best processor and processor speed, while the Apple comes with the best OS. However, the Apple does not come with a touch screen while the other two laptops do. This makes the Apple computer slightly less attractive than the Dell and the Microsoft computers. As Table 1 shows below, the various computers all have similarities that make them all appealing, but each has its own unique factors that make them each attractive in their own ways.
In terms of price, the Microsoft is by far the cheapest at $900 while the Dell is the most expensive at $1450 and the Apple in the middle at $1299. With the Dell, one is paying primarily for processor speed. However, for the sort of work needed by me, the Microsoft processor is sufficient and would be more than enough. Plus the Microsoft computer also is in the right size for my personal needs.
The software I would purchase would be Final Cut Pro X for film editing. The requirements for Final Cut Pro guides for Microsoft OS is Windows 10 15063.0 or higher. The requirements are met in both the Microsoft and Dell computers. However, the actual Final Cut software is not available for Microsoft and is only engineered for Apple computers, with a Mac OS 10.13.6 or higher. It costs $300. The alternative for Microsoft computers is Vegas Pro, which requires Microsoft OS Windows 10 and costs $599 for lifetime support.
Based on the advertisements and the software needed, the best buy will be the Microsoft Surface laptop with the Vegas Pro software. It will still be cheaper than the other alternatives and will meet all the needs that I will have for the computer. The processor will be sufficient for the work, the screen size will be big enough but not too big, and the software will work for what I want to do.
Apple may have superior products and functionality but Windows is also user friendly and intuitive these days, so the Microsoft computer is not unappealing. The Apple computer also lacks a touch screen. I want a touch screen particularly for the editing software, because it is much more helpful for making clean edits and improving functionality.
I am not partial to any one film editing software, though Apple’s Final Cut is considered one of the best. Vegas Pro is also rated highly among professionals and it would work well for me with a Windows OS computer as well—so either one can work. The fact that it is more costly is immaterial, since the Microsoft Surface is so much cheaper than the other two, so the price overall is not too expensive and the computer with the software is still within the budget of $2000 for both computer and software together.
The Microsoft computer can also be ordered online and shipped free, so there is no extra cost for delivery. It does not require me to pick it up at a store, which is a major plus as well. The system itself will be compatible for what I want to do and I can use the data from the laptop and plug it in to my PC at home. If I buy an Apple computer, I will not be able to transfer the data files from the Apple to my PC at home because they are different operating systems.
Thus, the Microsoft makes the most sense to purchase as there can be interoperability between it and my PC and I can easily transfer files from it to my PC at home. This is something I would not be able to do with the Apple laptop. However, there is no great pressing need to actually transfer files. I could easily work on the laptop at home as well. If I am going to do that, the larger screen would be nice to have, which is why the Dell is also appealing—but the primary purpose of buying this computer is to take it on travel—not to work on it at home. If I was going to sell my PC it might make sense to do that—but I have no intention or need of doing that.
Thus, for the price, the specs and the compatibility with the software considered best on market for the OS, there is no beating the Microsoft Surface. It is effective, comes with an efficient and sufficient processor, and has the screen size that I am looking for. It may not be an Apple, but the benefit of the Microsoft computer is that it comes with an OS that is compatible with my PC at home.
For these reasons, I will be purchasing the Microsoft Surface based on the advertisement on Amazon. This is a smart choice, too, because I have received Amazon gift cards for Christmas and I can use them to make purchases on the Amazon website. The other advertisements would not allow me to do the same. Thus, the Microsoft computer makes the most sense in more than one way. It fits my purposes in terms of portability, works with the software I am looking to buy, and will allow for compatibility with my other products.
References
Apple - MacBook Pro. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-macbook-pro-13-display-with-touch-bar-intel-core-i5-8gb-memory-128gb-ssd-latest-model-space-gray/5998700.p?skuId=5998700
Microsoft Surface Laptop. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Surface-Laptop-Touch-Screen-Alcantara/dp/B07YNK3R68/ref=sr_1_8fst=as:off&qid=1578208759&refinements=p_36:2421891011&rnid=2421885011&s=pc&sr=1-8&th=1
XPS 15 2-in-1 Laptop. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/2-in-1-laptops/xps-15-2-in-1-laptop/spd/xps-15-9575-2-in-1-laptop/fncwlf405sv2