Just take a moment and call the Apple store before you buy anything. Explain your needs and I'm sure they will take care of you properly. Mac is a little pricey but once you see the 27 inch screen you'll be sold. Take Care.

Also add a separate keyboard for easier typing and you basically have a desktop. :shrug:

That is an excellent idea! The laptop I have has 16 GB and my only real complaint is the size of the screen. So I need a wireless keyboard. I will check out Amazon today for the monitor and keyboard. Thank you so much for your suggestion. What type of cable do I need to plug the monitor into my laptop? I see there are two places on the side as well as 3 free USB ports.

Nucky I am a windows girl through and through. Never in my dreams would I ever change that. I worked 30 years on my windows software programs and know them in and out. I realize you love your Apple as much as I love my windows. Thank you for the suggestion. :-)

Depends on the ports your laptop has. HDMI would be good. VGA is a possibility. Others, guys?

You can try the wireless keyboard, but I found with my tablet that it sometimes has limitations. I do like the wireless mouse though.

As to 'wired' keyboards, most come with a USB connection so all you have to do is to plug it into one of the ports on your laptop. Most laptops will recognize the driver for your keyboard and will basically install itself.

Good luck. :thumbup:

A couple of random thoughts on this subject. I have been using a laptop with external mouse, keyboard, and monitor for 20 years.

1) Check into getting a docking station - generally makes things easier as all the cables are connected to the docking station and not your laptop. When you need to travel, just pop the laptop out of the docking station.
2) Get an external mouse.
3) A USB-based mouse and keyboard is fine - it doesn't have to be wireless.
4) The cable from the laptop to a monitor will depend on what your laptop supports. My setup uses DVI from my docking station to my monitor but my docking station is 5 years old.
5) Before selecting a monitor, it may be worthwhile to check to see what resolutions are supported by the video card in your laptop. It is possible that some of the larger monitors have a native resolution that is not supported by your video card.

Here's a photo of my ports. I also have two additional USB ports on the other side.

The left most port is HDMI. This is good. Look for an external monitor that supports HDMI. Check the native video resolutions that your video card supports if you are getting a large monitor.

Looks like the one on the left is HDMI. That would be very good. Just make sure the monitor also has an HDMI port.

HP ENVY 17t Quad
Product number: E4S78AV

• Windows 8 64
• System Recovery DVD with Windows 8 64
• 4th generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4700MQ Processor
• Included 2 Year Warranty
• Intel HD Graphics 4000
• 17.3-inch diagonal HD+ BrightView LED-backlit Display (1600 x 900)
• 16GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 1TB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
• NO mSSD Hard Drive Acceleration Cache
• No Additional Office Software
• Security Software Trial
• 6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery
• SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
• Standard Keyboard
• HP TrueVision HD Webcam w/ integrated digital mic
• 802.11b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth(R)

I would buy it from Best Buy, and get an Intel I7, or at least an I5 processor with 12 or 16 G of ram. Also, make sure that it has a built in wireless adapter, which will be very easy to connect to your WiFi lan. Also, you may want to make sure it has an HDMI output because that is the new standard for connecting to a monitor or TV. No need to get a bundle, just purchase the monitor and keyboard separately, which are very inexpensive.

Plus, one does not have to go mac to get a 27 inch screen.

Amazon.com: HP Pavilion 22xw 21.5-in IPS LED Backlit Monitor: Computers & Accessories Thinking about buying this monitor.

Here are the specs for my current laptop. I am planning to just plug the monitor into my laptop and get a wireless long range keyboard and mouse.

HP ENVY 17t Quad
Product number: E4S78AV

• Windows 8 64
• System Recovery DVD with Windows 8 64
• 4th generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4700MQ Processor
• Included 2 Year Warranty
• Intel HD Graphics 4000
• 17.3-inch diagonal HD+ BrightView LED-backlit Display (1600 x 900)
• 16GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 1TB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
• NO mSSD Hard Drive Acceleration Cache
• No Additional Office Software
• Security Software Trial
• 6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery
• SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
• Standard Keyboard
• HP TrueVision HD Webcam w/ integrated digital mic
• 802.11b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth(R)

My only question is the screen resolution. The new monitor's is higher. Does that mean my laptop will not support the higher number? Thanks.

Great, local custom-built machines with top-grade components...sized to meet your needs.
Got mine with Windows 7 Professional...my choice over the much-ballyhooed Windows 10...didn't need Cortina or Edge or whatever.
Make a visit...he knows his stuff, been at it for years (no "Mr. Warmth" but who cares).