Does the expression "a less number of ... than" is correct?

Question

The number of applications that my new PC can execute at the same time is less than the number of applications that my old one can execute.

I revised the sentence above I created more simply as follows:

My new PC can execute a less number of applications at the same time than my old one.

Could you advise me on whether the usage "a less number of ... than" is correct.

Answer 1

The use of "less" when referring to a number is common, but considered bad style by some. The word "fewer" is preferred by some.

Hence a simpler sentence could be

My new PC can execute fewer applications simultaneously than my old one.

You don't say "a less number" or "a fewer number".