Hard Core Shopping: Best Laptop Buy For The Buck SSD ?

Here is what I would look for.

i7 processor with SSD 1 terabyte
16 gigs of ram
external usb drive for back up

new computers often do not come with a cd slot.

Your given requirements are pretty skimpy.
A Chromebook would satisfy them.
But do you use any mapping software, drawing or Cadd programs or other utility software?

If you don't need windows for a specific application, you might like a Chromebook. Their really nice for web surfing. Googles Pixelbook Go is a top choice, and list for $649. How much do you want to spend?

Sadly, like most big companies, all of the major laptop vendors are cutting corners to keep prices low and make a buck.

When it comes to SSDs, there is good, not so good and bad. We are all used to rotating disks lasting years, but the cheapest SSDs might not even last 2 years. Of course it is very difficult to know what you are going to get before you lay your money down.

If you are a little bit adventuresome, I recommend the Raspberry Pi 4 Desktop Kit Raspberry Pi 4 Desktop Kit. Under $150. Add a Digital TV and you are in business. Pre-loaded with Chromium browser and common office tools.

There Raspberry Pi community is very helpful. There was a minor hardware "bug" but it has been fixed. Also the latest version of the software allows you to boot from a USB stick or SSD connected via USB (adapter - $15 ;
Samsung 970 Pro M.2 SSD - $150 .

No less than 8GB RAM, no need for more than 16GB
SSD for storage is a definite
Resurrected an old Intel Core2 Duo machine with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD when my 9 year old MacBook died. Was slow but got me through until new MacBook arrived. I would look for an I5 processor. I7 would be overkill if you do mostly internet browsing and email. Can find refurbs out there on Newegg and TigerDirect for just a few hundred. Some will even give you a 1 year warranty.

Just an example. Don't know your budget.
https://www.newegg.com/aluminum-hp-probook-640-g2/p/N82E16834272236?Description=refurbished%20laptops&cm_re=refurbished_laptops-_-34-272-236-_-Product

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=619674&sku=42126685

Check your PMs

Late last year I replaced by older laptop/notebook with a Lenovo Ideapad 330S and I'm super happy with it. The SSD boots SO much faster than my old PC or my wife's newer laptop with an standard hard drive.

Rob

Six of one, half dozen of the other IMO...on major brands. Chips...performance...again IMO aren’t the issue but WiFi speed is and that’s not a computer issue.