Hey all, I'm currently using a MacBook Pro with the M1 chip for work. It's been pretty reliable, but I'm running into some performance issues with heavy Excel tasks, especially when using macros and multitasking across multiple files and applications. I've even experienced crashes in Excel a few times! My company has given me a budget of $1,000 and I'm searching for a solid business desktop setup that can handle:
- A desktop PC capable of managing Excel macros and multitasking without lag
- Two monitors
- A keyboard and mouse
I don't need a laptop since I'll still use my MacBook for meetings and remote work. I can sync everything through Google Drive, so I'm not worried about file retention on one machine. I'd love any recommendations for prebuilt PC and monitor bundles, or a build list that fits within my budget and is optimized for performance—not gaming. Bonus points for quiet and efficient setups. Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
Have you thought about the new Mac Mini? It might be a good fit for your needs, especially if you're already in the Mac ecosystem—but I know you mentioned wanting to avoid it due to macro usage.
If you're flexible on the brand, you could look into the Dell OptiPlex series—they've got some solid business desktops at reasonable prices. You might be able to find something with an i5, 16GB of RAM, and a decent SSD for close to your budget. Just don't forget to factor in the monitors, keyboard, and mouse!
It might be a good idea to check with your IT department first. They usually have recommendations that they'll support down the line.
Yeah, I'm really trying to steer clear of Macs specifically because of how they handle Excel and macros.