Note: All the links in this page are affiliate links.

I’m frequently asked to recommend a specific tech item that I trust and feel comfortable recommending to others.

Since I receive so many of these requests I thought it might be a good idea to create a page featuring the products I recommend most often.

Note 1:  If you click on a product link and find that the item is sold out, please let me know so I can update it. Thanks a bunch!

Note 2:  Amazon’s user reviews are extremely helpful when it comes to choosing the best item in its category, but only if you know how to properly evaluate the reviews. I strongly recommend that you read this before making a buying decision based upon competing reviews.

 

Windows laptops

Budget Windows laptop – Lenovo V15 Business Laptop

This laptop is very affordable, yet well suited for typical home/student/Internet use.

It comes with Windows 11 Pro instead of Windows 11 in S mode (that’s a huge plus). It also comes with a 15.6″ screen, which is larger than the screens you’ll find on many budget laptops.

Midrange Windows laptop – Dell Inspiron 3530 15’6″ Laptop

This nice Dell is for those who need a little more horsepower than you typically find in a budget laptop, but in a machine that won’t break the bank.

It has a great combination of RAM and fast SSD storage to go along with its very capable Intel i5 CPU. I believe it’s a really good deal for the money.

High-End Windows laptop – ASUS Vivobook 16 Laptop

If you’re looking for a machine with speed and power to spare, this could well be the best value you’ll find in its price range.

Its ultrafast AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 Processor, 16GB DDR5 RAM and spacious 1TB SSD and other advanced features make this a fantastic choice for a less-than $1,000 laptop.

Gaming laptop – ASUS ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop

This quickly became my favorite gaming laptop after it was introduced – and it still is.

ASUS ROG machines are quite popular with gamers thanks to their reputation for high quality and power at a very reasonable price. This particular model is fantastic.

 

Windows desktop PCs

Budget Windows desktop – GMKtec M3 Mini Desktop Computer

This is an excellent machine for everyday Internet, social media, home and business use.

Mid/High range Windows desktop – GMKtec M5 Plus Gaming Mini PC

If you’re looking for a good, but very affordable desktop PC that’s capable of most any typical home computing task, this is it.

This little gem is about the size of a brick, but it has about as much processing power, RAM and SSD storage capacity as some mid-range laptops.

Mid/High range Windows desktop – Geekom A8 Max AI Mini PC

This tiny PC is roughly the same size as the brick-sized GMKtec machine above, but it’s packed with tons of computing power.

If you want a desktop PC that doesn’t take up a lot of desk space but is absolutely packed with computing power, storage and general awesomeness, this is the one.

 

MacBooks

Budget MacBook – Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip

This laptop is perfect for students or most anyone else who wants to move into the Apple world without spending a ton of cash.

It comes with all the usual advantages found in Apple products and it’s quite fast when performing most every tasks.

Midrange MacBook – Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M4 chip

This machine fits into what I consider to be sweet spot when it comes to Apple MacBook laptops, providing a great balance between price and performance.

High-End MacBook – Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop with M4 Pro chip

High performance rules the day with this high-end MacBook Pro. This is a top-seller for Apple, for good reason.

 

Mac Desktop Computers

Budget Mac desktop – Apple 2024 24-inch iMac All-in-One Desktop Computer with M4 chip / 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU

Like it’s MacBook Air cousin, this popular iMac is an excellent machine for anyone wanting to move to the Mac world.

It’s compact all-in-one design is a real space saver, and it packs plenty of punch for the price.

High-End Mac desktop – Apple 2024 24-inch iMac All-in-One Desktop Computer with M4 chip / 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU

If you’re looking for top performance in a desktop Mac, you can’t go wrong with this gem.

 

Chromebooks

ASUS 15.6″ Chromebook CX15 Laptop

I believe this is the best Chromebook deal going at the moment and it’s the only one I’m currently recommending.

 

Apple tablets (iPads)

Budget iPad – Apple iPad 11-inch: A16 chip

This little gem is still an excellent value for the money!

Mid-range iPad – Apple iPad Air 11-inch with M3 chip

More power and speed. Well worth the upgrade.

High-end iPad – Apple iPad Pro 13-Inch (M4)

If you’re looking for a tablet that rivals the power of a laptop, this one is fairly close.

 

Android tablets

Budget Android tablet – Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Plus 11”

I’ve used more expensive Android tablets but I really like this one for an everyday tablet.

Mid-range Android tablet – Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE AI 10.9″

If you need something a bit faster and more responsive, this is a great choice.

High-end Android tablet – N/A

I don’t have a recommendation for this because I really can’t justify the extra expense for an Android tablet that costs more than $500.

 

Computer monitors

Budget monitor – Philips 22 inch Class Thin Full HD (1920 x 1080) Monitor

One of my most frequent recommendation requests is for a really cheap monitor that’s still dependable and gets the job done. This is it.

Large screen monitor – ViewSonic VA3209M 32 Inch IPS Full HD 1080p Monitor

This is my primary work monitor. I love it!

Gaming monitor – ASUS TUF 32″ 1440P HDR Curved Gaming Monitor

This is one of the best-selling gaming monitors on Amazon. Try it for 15 minutes and you’ll find out why.

 

Laser printers

Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer

I have used Brother printers for years, with great success. This is the laser printer that one I use on a daily basis and I love it.

Inkjet printers

Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer

Again, I have to go with Brother… This is a really good one.

 

External Hard Drives & SSDs

External USB Hard Drive – WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive

This could well be the best value for a reliable backup storage drive, period.

External USB Solid State Drive (SSD) – SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD

I believe this is the best deal going right now for a really good, and really fast external SSD.

 

Battery Backup / UPS

APC BE600M1 600VA/330 Watts UPS/Battery Backup and Surge Protector

I have had three of the units protecting my work computers and TV for quite some time. They work flawlessly.

 

Mesh WiFi Systems

Budget mesh WiFi system – TP-Link Deco S4 Deco Mesh AC1900 WiFi System

Unlike a typical WiFi extender, this three-node mesh system provides much better coverage even though it’s very close in price to what you would pay for a quality extender.

Midrange mesh WiFi system – Amazon eero 6+ mesh wifi system

This system supports Gigabit speeds and great coverage, without the premium price tag.

Premium mesh WiFi system – Amazon eero Pro 7

This kit features the latest WiFi 7 technology with support for up to 5 Gbps speeds and expanded coverage (up to 6,000 sq. ft.).

 

Solar Generators

ECOFLOW Solar Generator DELTA 2 Max 2048Wh with 2x220W Solar Panel

This system provides reliable backup power for extended power outages (or when you’re camping). It will keep your CPAP machine, your refrigerator and your other essential gear powered up any time you don’t have available grid power.

 

Solar Portable Battery Banks

GOODaaa 42800mAh Portable Charger 4 Built-in Cables

If you only need to keep your phone and other small gadgets powered up during power outages or when you’re on the go, you don’t really need a full-blown solar generator. This little gem is all you really need.

 

Digital Picture Frames

Skylight WiFi 1- Inch Digital Picture Frame

This is probably the easiest digital picture frame to use, period. And it works like a champ.

 

Wireless Home Weather Stations

Sainlogic SA9 Plus Smart WiFi Weather Station

This little gem will keep you updated right to the very second with what’s going on weatherwise in your very own neighborhood (indeed, in your very own back yard).

 

Surge Protectors

Qinlianf 5 Outlet Extender & Surge Protector with 4 USB Charging Ports

This thing is simply amazing. Plug it into any existing 120V electrical outlet and you’ll have the equivalent of a 5 outlet surge protector and 4 USB charging ports in one very compact unit. I have three of them and I absolutely love them.

FS140 Whole House Surge Protector

This will protect everything in your entire home from power surges and lightning strikes., including your major appliances that cannot be plugged into a standard surge protector.

 

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