Laptop advice

[Voldemort]

I've been on apple for well over a decade and have completely lost track of what the windows world is like.

So, before I spend a grand on a new MacBook I ought to at least have a look at what the opposition has to offer.

I cannot emphasise enough how little I care about technical specs and how far I am from informed about this [think - "do you want tweeters with that, grandad?" - and you might know what I mean.]

If you could throw some links up, any recommendations and sage advice I'd be grateful. Also, am open to piss takes, and having a paper bag on my head.

[K50 DEL]

My first question would be what do you use your machine for?
The answer to that could significantly alter any recommendation

[Voldemort]

Surfing and streaming mainly. Not a gamer.

[deckster]

Honestly if you're non-technical and happy with Apple, then stay there.

A Windows machine will absolutely do everything you want it to - but why learn a completely new system when you don't need to?

[acd80]

Voldemort said:

Surfing and streaming mainly. Not a gamer.

I know it's not Windows but a Chromebook would be suitable for that if you were going to leave the Apple ecosphere (and I say that as an Apple fanboy).

[Funk]

TBH, any mid-range Windows laptop will do that. Spending Apple money will get you a nice premium Windows device with decent build but honestly if you're used to Mac and have other stuff that lives in the Apple eco-system then you may as well stick with that. Any Mac you buy now will probably hold its value pretty well whereas a Windows laptop will be worth about 1/3rd of whatever you spend on it in about 2 years' time.

If you do want something Windows-based and premium take a look at Dell's XPS range which will be nice, light and well-built. HP have some nice top-end devices (really with businesses in mind) in the form of the Dragonfly.

[HRL]

Save yourself a lot of hassle and just get one for the new M1 powered Mac’s.

Amazingly powerful for what they are and you’re already familiar with the Mac OS.

[K50 DEL]

I'm returning late to the party but as someone who's worked in this field for a couple of decades I'd agree with all the points above.
Your usage profile doesn't make economic sense to purchase anything high-end and if you're already used to MAC OS then I'd stay there.

[ZesPak]

Any decently premium feeling machine will cost almost a grand anyway.

Only one I could echo here would be the Chromebook, some really nice stuff for about half what a mac costs, and will do the things you describe.