John,
I'm still running most of my apps under Windows 7 on "older" (4/5 years) laptops & desktops. Used laptops of this vintage are very affordable, sometimes they can be give away types. With a purchase of say, Windows 7 Ultimate, ($? ?) and a solid state hard drive < $70 for 240GB, your total cost could be < $200 if you are able to change the drive and configure the laptop yourself.
OR, you can just buy a new laptop at BestBuy, WalMart, whatever, for ~ $350 to $400 for a NEW Thinkpad, Notebook, or whatever.
Less features = lower price; more features = higher price; go figure . . . . .
Now that I am "mostly retired", cost is a consideration for me as well. My big expense is: printer ink! As expensive as liquid plutonium . . . . . . . . I now buy ink in bulk and refill my own cartridges. Somehow I've turned into my grandfather, or: Mr. Wilson!
Prettytechnoboy