Overestimating Compute Needs

I use a T470, i5 dual core, 24GB RAM, 256GB SSD, FHD 1080p display. I run it using Linux Mint Mate and use it for everything but video editing and it absolutely crushes. I can open 15 browser tabs + YT videos & Libre Writer, no stutters, no delays.

I’m always amazed by people buying wayyy more compute than they actually need. Do you actually NEED the latest CPU or even a CPU from 5 years ago? I doubt it. You know what you need? A fast SSD, 8GB of RAM, an optimized OS and a reality check. I have an M3 Max MacBook Pro with 36GB of RAM and a TB of SSD, it’s fast. I can open a browser in exactly the same amount of time as I can on my T470. Word? I can open Libre Writer faster on my T470. That being said, my MacBook can crush 4k video processing and my T470 cannot. So… 95% of what I need can be done on my $150 T470.

Rant over. Whew.