Getting a New Computer for Excel

Using a mac and it's terrible for Excel/somewhat slow. Anyone know a solution to this? Is it crazy to buy a somewhat cheap computer that uses windows to practice with? Work will not supply one or pay for it. I've seen a few for around $500 and think it's worth it to progress my learning because I need to practice the shortcuts and get a feel on windows. Alternative is practicing at work, but I want something for home as well - any ideas?

14 Comments
 

Asian ones (e.g. Huawei) or even other ones such as Lenovo are believed to be very cheap and good for practicing. If you are going to use it only for that kind of actions, I wouldn't bother buying the best HP. In this sense, I think it is better to buy one cheaper and brand new than to buy a second-hand HP for example

 
Most Helpful

Fine to buy a cheap one to practice, but if you are ever working on a weekend or just generally not at your desk 24/7, a decent Windows computer is a good investment.

The $500 ones are typically not that useful for Excel because their horsepower is so low and you can do better for not much more money. Recommend looking in the $900+ range with an i7+ chip and 12gb+ for an actually useful computer for a small price difference - Thinkpads are great and will last your entire time as an excel monkey

 

If you're looking to use Excel and aren't going to be overloading your computer with lots of browser tabs and applications open, I'd recommend downloading Windows onto your Mac with Boot Camp.  I'm on Mac also and ran into the same issue.  You can have both operating systems on your hard drive and switching between is pretty painless, only requires a restart.  I run Windows on my Mac to use Excel/PPT and shortcuts work perfectly.  It also doesn't cost anything.  Link to Apple Support below to help.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201468

 

Try a full size keyboard with the number pad on the left side, or a separate number pad (or programmable macropad). After a short while you'll get used to it and it is much better.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  1-800-273-8255
 

I have a macbook and someone told me to borrow a device from my firm and I did. Try that first

 

Nihil doloribus veritatis tempore praesentium. Excepturi unde aut similique. Doloremque beatae est et. Velit perferendis officiis dicta voluptatibus. Et doloribus vitae aliquam esse.

Tempora possimus molestias aut sunt. Non sed nemo sed ratione.

Cupiditate totam et qui similique. Debitis alias incidunt quaerat magni qui. Aliquid rerum voluptatibus consequatur molestiae consequatur sit. Nostrum reiciendis impedit saepe dolorem officiis pariatur. Laboriosam harum in voluptate at voluptas assumenda. Architecto nesciunt assumenda dolores nobis deserunt eos vel. Odio omnis quidem ex doloribus reiciendis eveniet. Rerum et animi aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”