How about just grabbing an ASUS ROG? Anything after 2020 will do.
Here is my setup and recommendations, use them as an example or replicate.
Naturally, you should choose what fits your needs best.
In fact I recently bough (as light for travel laptop(a spare too), but it's actually more powerful than the current one) a ASUS Rog Strix G15 G512L (I7 10870H, RTX 2060, 16GB Ram, 512GB + 1TB SSD) 240Hz second hand £450 on eBay 😊.
I needed something light for travel and running Reaper and VSTs live and if that tells you anything, it is beyond overkill for OpenLP🙂.
It will retain value and you can sell it at any time and upgrade🙂.
It's really easy to open maintain and there are parts for it!
Since I do development and other things, I bought 2 x 8GB (for cheap), thinking it has 4 Ram slots but it only has 2. So bought another 2 X 16 GB all of the same brand, type and timing (not that it matters all that much). Now selling the 4x8GB but I am sad to report my listings are not getting many views😢😢.
Back to the machine, it has 3 SSD slots and you can have dual hardware RIAD but it's unnecessary with those super fast SSDs these days. I have dual boot on windows 11 and Proxmox.
The laptop has 2 GPUs by the way.
The things you should focus on are actually connectivity, peripherals and accessories.
3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (data speed up to 5Gbps)
1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with support for DisplayPort™ / G-SYNC (data speed up to 10Gbps)
1x Ethernet port
I use all of those, every time! That's important if you don't want to look like dongle dangle land.
Sometimes I also use the:
1x HDMI 2.0b
1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
Depends on what you need of course.
You can use the, usb c for second display, for me I always use it for the audio interface/mixer for best results. (avoiding the USB controller for low latency audio. It does help!)
Also you should invest in a big and comfortable backpack.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/FreeBiz-Inches-Laptop-Backpack-Laptops/dp/B01ECFQ9D0
I had that for years and it's amazing. Fits my 18inch (desktop type) laptop.
In church buy a quiet mouse! Or you might annoy everyone with mouse clicking during prayer hahah!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/UrChoiceLtd%C2%AE-Wireless-X-08-Professional-Adjustable-Black/dp/B01HZFWUOQ
Also, having a second monitor in addition to the projector and keyboard would be quite comfortable. This is my go-to setup these days.
A monitor, keyboard and a mouse attached to a USB C hub at home (maybe even second stationary charger).
Put it down, plug 2 cables and ready to work.
Unplug, put in the backpack, with the first mobile charger already in the backpack and go where you need to.
