My most favorite computer I've ever owned (that I am typing on now) is my 2016 Pixel book Pro I got on a great black Friday deal on Google.
I wasn't going to buy it at first, but then I just decided to go for it. I've written so much on this little machine, but it has been pushed to the back burner sadly though the acquisition of so many other great computers: A couple of Lenovos from work, and now an Apple Macbook Air 13 inch just acquired from work in the spring. I also have a pretty nice tiny Samsung laptop with an amazing AMOLED screen that I sometimes travel with.
This computer is outdated, screen wise. It has a very blocky, wide bezel screen that is easy to see but isn't in the modern proportions we'd expect. My Air feels "wider" somehow. This screen also looks a little pixelated too. But it has a huge advantage: It's a touchscreen, and also is much easier to read for typing.
The battery has been through a lot so now only holds about 4 hours compared to when I first got it 9 years ago where the battery would claim 8 hours left but really go for days without a charge.
Another huge advantage is that I don't think this computer tracks me as much as my work laptop. I'm quite cautious, maybe overcautious about what I write on my work computer. We have quite the adversarial/wartime relationship with the administration so I wouldn't put it past them to track every keystroke we make on our work machines. Before you ask: No, I am not posting this from work wireless - I'm at home for this post!
Most important: This keyboard. It's the most fun, easy, smooth, and joyful typing experience I've ever had!
I've written countless papers on this machine including writing one of those grail-projects that you never think you'll ever see in print, my essay on Allen Ginsberg's poem "Wichita Vortex Sutra." I wrote it in 3 sessions over 3 days next to a sunny window during lockdown in 2020.
The keyboard flies but most importantly it doesn't get in the way. I don't think about it. I'm just looking at the words I'm thinking appearing on the screen. There's nothing quite like it and I've been at pains to find a similar keyboard for my desktop or for any other machine so I can have this same typing experience.
This machine also sideloads apps through a Linux of some kind, so I can run MS Word if I don't want to or can't use Google Docs. There's no lag in any of the side loading software.
All in all, the best computer I've owned is this one. But this summer it will lose its security upgrades. So I have to decide what's next for this machine. Perhaps Linux alone? Or maybe I can get away with Chrome OS for a while yet without the updates. I think Linux is the safest option but I do not look forward to all the hardware compatibility issues and loss of power efficiency that I know I'm going to face in such a transition. This thing is designed for Chrome OS so there has to be a loss when swapping operating systems.
I'll post here during the transition but that's months away. I think I'll just enjoy this little laptop a while longer!