If the issues with the keyboard is that everything seems to be off, that's something that you will probably just have to adjust to. If you are used to a keyboard without a number pad, and the new one does, everything will be shifted over to compensate. Different computer have different key spacing as well. It's annoying, but not much can be done about it (I just upgraded a few weeks ago to a fairly comparable model, but the keys are still different and I mistype passwords all the time now)
With Windows 10, again, not much can be done really. Windows 10 is a little different, but a bit of playing around and it should be pretty simple to jump from 7 (rather than the jump from 7 to 8 which was very hard for a lot of people)
For the VGA connector, you aren't going to find many off the shelf models with one of those anymore. The trend is to go thin, and extra ports don't allow for that. But there are hdmi adapters that are around $20 that would solve that problem.
I am partial to HP. And I very much believe that, if you can, spending money on a good laptop is never a bad thing. But I also understand that there are really two tiers of laptops (good at a lower price and really good at a much higher one) and that second tier is a big jump, so I will focus my search to the $500 limit you listed.
Everything I mention here can be found on
Best Buy, since that is the most accessible electronics store.
What I am looking for:
- 15"+ screen
- HDMI output
- 4+GB memory (how much can your computer process at once)
- Built in Webcam/Microphone (I don't know if you use these for work, but they will be good for video conferencing)
- USB ports (If you need to transfer documents, or just to charge a phone)
- 500+GB storage
- Intel Vs AMD processor (Intel is generally better, but AMD is good as well)
My initial suggestion based on this list is this (
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-15-6...lack/4221600.p?id=1219708598794&skuId=4221600) HP at $400. The touch screen is probably unnecessary, but most laptops in that size range seem to have them now.
It has 6GB of memory, which is great for running programs/processing data in excel. The Intel i3 processor is a mid-range but solid processor that should give you the power you need. It has an HDMI port for connecting screen. 2 USB 2.0 (standard) and 1 USB 3.0 (high speed) ports. And an ethernet port if you ever need to hardwire in. Webcam and microphone built in, plus a headphone/microphone jack. 1TB of storage is probably way more than you would ever need for work, but the 750GB is only $20 on sale (same price regular) so you might as well go for the extra space. It also has a number pad which would affect the key spacing, as well as the fact that it is a widescreen. Overall, this sounds like it would suit your needs pretty well.
If you are wanting a slightly lower cost one without as much "extra", then this HP at $280 would be a good alternative (
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-15-6...lack/4481400.p?id=1219751654199&skuId=4481400)
4GB memory is pretty standard and what I would guess your current laptop has. The AMD A6 processor is not quite as powerful as the Intel, but again that doesn't make it bad. There is also half the storage space at 500GB (again, standard). No touchscreen. Everything else is comparable.
Since you have a macbook, I am assuming this will be used primarily for work. If you did use it personally as well, then I would push even more for the first one just because it has slightly more processing capabilities.
I know that's a lot of information, but that would be my high level suggestion.
