I have used Reaper quite a few times but only for very basic functions. I am going thru the manual but will need to work from a laptop ASAP. Due to my limited funds (struggling artist story) I would like to pay as little as possible but while also meeting the needed requirements to run Reaper well. I've heard that some computers / processors don't work well with Reaper so want to avoid that problem. My needs will still probably be considered very basic compared to what you are doing but I'm looking for requirements that will allow me to grow a little over the next year. Will you all please be so kind as to offer any suggestions you may have on the subject of what inexpensive laptops I might look at or what requirements I may want to consider? Many thanks !

Welcome to the forums! Before we open this can of worms again, read this and this thread. In short, finding a laptop that works well for audio in general and your setup in particular, has the features you want, fits into your budget and is still in the shops is only slightly more amusing than gnawing off yourself an arm. Having said that, giving a recommendation without knowing what exactly you're looking for and what your budget is, is pretty much impossible.

What laptops may not work well. 

Will do. Thanks. I suppose I should have put more emphasis on what types of laptop configurations are not as compatible for this purpose...

Dell. Period.

Not this ^ Dell is not even close to a reliable manufacturer of audio-capable laptops. Neither is anyone else, except maybe for the higher-priced business-class machines that can only be ordered through their business sites.