Time for a Windows 11 computer -- what to get?

[Eugene]

7. Running Windows 11 on a budget laptop since late 2022.

The budget laptop is a two-year old Acer Aspire
with Windows 11, purchased at MicroCenter.
It came with a (now-dated still adequate)
Intel i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM,and a 512GB m.2 SSD.

Most recent CPUs are adequate, but watch out
for CPU type (traditional Intel/AMD x86 versus
the new-fangled ARM chips). While nearly
everyone supports the more established x86,
software for ARM PC's is still in the roll-out phase.
If you want to run the software you already have,
stick with AMD or Intel.

You'll want to seriously consider at least 16GB of RAM.
The latest feature-updated Windows 11 is a memory hog
that now maxes out the 8GB on my laptop (upgrading soon).
Also, the new AI-enabled PC specification says 16GB minimum.

RAM type: If you have to upgrade, you will have to see
what kind of SODIMMs are onboard. The types and speeds
keep changing all the time.

Optical drive: Most new laptops come without one.
An external drive USB is an option.

Ethernet: Some ultra-slim laptops don't have built-in ethernet.
In that case, external again. You can never have too many
high-speed USB ports.

Graphics: Any modern laptop should be adequate,
unless you are seriously into gaming or video editing.

Most modern laptops will come with the basic webcam,
Bluetooth, etc. My budget laptop's only weak spot
is the speakers. I got Bluetooth speakers for that.

EDIT: P.S. You will need a USB hub for all the
wired devices. Some 5/6/7-in-one hubs also
come with video and ethernet ports.