Here's a question about choosing a new laptop

[mnhtnbb]

My tech son talked me into running Linux on a new laptop a couple of years ago. Eh. I was disappointed after
I found out that it wouldn't run the software for my Canon cameras, so I learned a new program, but not as happy
with it as I was with the Canon software.

Then I discovered that it wouldn't run TurboTax, which I use every year to do taxes. So he installed an Oracle VirtualBox running Windows.
First year was fine. Last year he had to come update the Windows because I couldn't get it to work to install TurboTax. Finally
got it working.

This year I opened the VirtualBox and got a message that only a geek would understand. My son is no longer available to help with
this. So I called a very reliable and well regarded computer repair shop that we have used. They told me to bring it in, but they
might have to start over and install a new VirtualBox. OK. Well, the guy had it overnight and he told me he couldn't fix it,
and that also there was a problem with getting the Linux to run a new VirtualBox, something that someone with more expertise
in Linux would have to fix.

So. Here I sit unable to install TurboTax. I have been frustrated enough with Linux but can't decide which way to go with this.

I recently separated from my husband. I told him we need to file separately this year because I'm not able to do our joint
taxes.

Now, here's the situation. I can take my relatively easy taxes to an accountant to do this year. Or, I could buy a new laptop, running
Windows, for about $400. and use it for taxes and photos. Or, I could take this laptop to the computer guy and have him remove
Linux, install Windows, transfer everything over, and probably install TurboTax and do my taxes myself before April 15, but it will
be tricky because I need to move to a new apartment in March. Or, I could take the taxes to an accountant, wait until after
I've moved, then take this laptop to the computer guy and have him remove Linux and install Windows.

Or, I could take my taxes to an accountant, hang in with this laptop for about 6 months until I get through moving and dealing with
divorce stuff, and then treat myself to a Mac next fall when I'll have time to play with it and learn it. At that point, this laptop
will be almost 3 years old and my last laptop died when it was 4 years old.

Recommendations? Suggestions?


Edited to add: I've already spent the money on the two TurboTax programs I need for doing my taxes.

[janterry]

1. I don't know a thing about Linux

but I did want to say, you could probably borrow a computer and do your taxes (do you have a friend that would lend you a laptop?)

Also, some of the refurb's on newegg are under $100. I had one for a few years (super fast . I'm actually going to get another one, soon.

[mnhtnbb]

2. I will go look on newegg. Never thought about that.

Definitely cheaper than taking the taxes to an accountant.

Is there a particular refurb model I should look for, or stay away from?

[janterry]

5. I also found this thread

which might help:
https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=215209

[canetoad]

3. Three years old

You might get another couple of years out of it without too much expense.

I completely understand the frustration of essential programs that will only run in Windows. There is another option that you may not have considered; restoring the original Windows by returning the machine to its factory state.

Practically every new laptop comes with a hidden partition containing a copy of the original operating system. You may not even be aware of its existence. Accessing this feature differs on every machine so I would suggest Googling (laptop make/model) + "restore factory state" and see if you can get a set of instructions.

Once you work out how to do it, the process should be quite simple as in following the prompts on screen. Agree to everything and say yes, you are SURE!

[mnhtnbb]

4. I would probably just take it to the computer repair guy

to do that for me after I move to the new apartment in March. The shop is only about 20 minutes from my new apartment, while I have been
living about 3 hours away.

[democratisphere]

6. Buy the $400.00 Windows laptop then you will be in control of your needs

and situation, now and into the future. Your TurboTax investment won't be wasted and you can access and work with your photos.

[Voltaire2]

7. Linux is great if you are a DIY techie.

Otherwise not so much.

Fresh install of windows on your current laptop would be the simplest path forward. If the laptop dies in six months so what? Meanwhile you’ll have a functional system to do your taxes and process your photos and you can get on with the divorce mess.

Macs are fine, I personally hate their user interface, other people love it, but as usual you can get an equivalent windows laptop for about 3/4 the price of the Mac, and you can get a lower end windows laptop at half the price or less as Apple doesn’t really bother with that end of the market.

[mitch96]

8. You could install windows on the laptop

and also have linux too.. I think it's called a dual boot. Run Linux as you always have and just run Windows when you need windows programs... Best of both worlds.. Your computer guy or your son could do this for you.
m

[left-of-center2012]

9. I bought a $300 HP laptop at Walmart 3 years ago

I don't play video games, etc on it.
It does all I need and has Windows 10.

[Ferrets are Cool]

10. I buy ALL my computers from Dell Outlet

have bought dozens for myself and my company. They have always served me well. I've had some of them for over 10 years.

You might want to go and see if they have anything you want.
IMO, stay away from HP. I've never had good luck with them at all.
If you get a computer with win10, get an app called Classic Shell and it will look and act like windows 7, which most like better than 10.

here is the link for Dell Outlet. http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/Online/InventorySearch.aspx?brandId=2201&c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh&dgc=IR&cid=258996&lid=4635114&~ck=mn

good luck with your search

edit: get as much ram as you can afford for your image processing. I do photoshop work every day with files up to 300meg and having lots of ram is essential.

[Egnever]

11. Overthinking this?

You can use TurboTax in a browser now.

Just did them myself that way after using the stand alone software for years.

https://turbotax.intuit.com

[mnhtnbb]

12. I have to file a return for a Trust

which requires one version of TurboTax to generate a K1 that is used to file personal taxes. Required to file itemized return when married filing separately because my husband will be filing an itemized return, too. Our taxes were never easy to do, but I had been doing them for us to file jointly for years.

I wish it were so easy, but circumstances do not allow filing an easy return this year.

[Egnever]

13. They have the same versions available online as stand alone.

is there a special version other than deluxe or premier?

[RKP5637]

14. I've been running Turbotax with Linux for years. Just use the web version in

your browser. You don't need to install anything, just sign in with your credentials. https://www.turbotax.com/

[mnhtnbb]

15. No web version for TurboTax Business

which I need to file 1041 for a Trust which then generates the K1 used for personal taxes.

So I need a windows machine to either use the CD or download the business software.

[RKP5637]

16. Ahhhh, I see. This must be what you use.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/small-business-taxes/

I don't see an online browser version either. I used to use Oracle VirtualBox running Windows on my Linux box since first released way back, but then found I no longer needed it. Yes, it can be a bit daunting sometimes setting up and using Oracle VirtualBox running Windows. I spent my life in Linux and UNIX. To be frank, I would go the Windows route if that works for you and you already have the software, etc. Wish I could be of more help.

[mnhtnbb]

18. Yes, my problem is something to do with

the interface between the VirtualBox and Linux and the computer repair shop guy wasn't familiar enough
with Linux to be able to fix it so he couldn't even put a new VirtualBox on it.

I also discovered when I was researching your original idea about just using TurboTax in my browser that there is
no Business version to run on a Mac! That means even if I do give up on this laptop and buy myself a Mac
next fall, I'm still going to need a machine running Windows as long as I'm doing my own taxes. After the divorce
my own taxes are going to be so simple there is no point in taking them to an accountant, but it's my trust so
I still will need the Business version just to do those taxes.

I'm leaning towards the idea of finding a cheap refurb running Windows to do the taxes now and saving up to
splurge on a Mac next fall. No more Linux.

[RKP5637]

19. I think that's a smart plan! I often direct people toward a Mac. They work well, have quality

and straight forward to use. Using VirtualBox to run windows on Linux works, but sometimes it's a bit funky, especially if one is really not too technical and really doesn't need it.

[ucrdem]

17. If there's room on your laptop drive you can install windows

in a partition and run either OS as needed. If your PC came with windows you don't need an activation key, and if it came with a funny flavor like Win 8 Home you can download Win 10 Pro, which is better, install it, and run it without activating it. It doesn't look like you can but last I checked you can. Windows will set up a dual-boot startup menu during the installation if it finds another Windows OS, but how it handles Linux I don't know. You might have to download the boot menu. Anyway it's a free work-around if you're in a jam.