My daily driver is a HP Laptop 15-dw0xx, 64 bit, with 8 GB memory, 930 GB disk, and runs Windows 11 version 22H2. It seems to run everything I can throw at it. I get my Unix fix with Cygwin64 installed. Note that laptops no longer come with a CD/DVD reader/writer. But I seldom use it, so I have an external CD/DVD that sits in a box until I need it.
However, for my radios I use an older HP Pavilion desktop, 64 bit, with 10 GB memory, 750 GB disk, and runs Windows 10. I would update it to W11, but the processor is too old. On it I run an old free version of HRD. Usually the only thing running is HRD and a browser (Chrome), so it has plenty of power. My CAT interface (CI-V) and digital mode interface are home brew. To help eliminate wires on my desk, I use a wireless mouse and keyboard.
I also have an old Compaq Presario that runs XP, but compared to W10 and W11 it's too clunky. Now it just collects dust. I tried putting a couple of versions of Linux on it, but I hated them. Put it back on XP. I have the original install CD. The best part of that computer is it's IO. There are a DVD burner, a CD player, 7 USB ports, a real RS-232 Serial Port, Parallel Port, and a killer audio system (4/4.1 and 6/5.1 multi speaker).
At the bottom of my list is an old 386 SubNote laptop that runs Windows 3.1. I have a CW RX/TX program, written in C, that runs nicely. Compiles with Turbo C. It uses an external audio filter (home brew). The battery is dead and the charger burned up, so it's a little touchy to get started. But once it gets going it works fine. The screen isn't very good. In high light areas it's impossible to read. It has a network interface, but I never use it. It even has a copy of MS Office with MS Draw. I use to love that program.
