Work Laptop Suggestions?

[Mitsu3000gt]

I have been asked to find my boss a Laptop for work. It will be used for fairly basic work apps (MS office suite, email, accounting programs, etc.) No need for discrete graphics as I think the integrated stuff these days is quite good. Minimum 14"-15.6", maybe 17" if compact.

Budget $1,000 - $1,500

Mostly been looking at Lenovo X1 Carbons but damn they are expensive. Base model with 8GB ram (4GB is probably too low these days) is $1,466 after discount. That could work, but it's right at the max.

Looks like they're sold out but Memory Express had some older X1's for $1299:

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX57648

I like Lenovo, but I don't know much about their other models. The Asus Zenbooks are great but they are mostly 13.3". Lenovo seems more geared toward business/work use.

The Lenovo "E" Series looks OK, and the full size keyboard is probably nice. This one looked good but it has no SSD - may not be that big of a deal for a work computer though:
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX56963

Any specific recommendations would be appreciated. I will keep looking myself as well.


EDIT: Looks like it will need to be minimum 15.6", and not crazy high resolution (doesn't want small icons). He's a bit older so keep that in mind. Might even be able to raise the budget if there is a compelling reason.

[dirtsniffer]

http://www.dell.com/ca/p/xps-13-9343-laptop/pd?oc=nxps134_btw10_b5123e&model_id=xps-13-9343-laptop

[Mitsu3000gt]

Has to be at least 15.6" inches but thanks for the suggestion. I actually completely forgot about Dell haha.

He's an older guy, and will be using it as his primary computer, so I'm thinking 1080P max and 15.6" - 17".

Lenovo E550 looks pretty good actually except for the lack of an SSD. Not sure if that is a big deal or not, since he'll never know the difference.

[revelations]

If its a static laptop, size doesent matter as you can stick a monitor to it anyway.


http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX58220

Comes with SSD + HDD & W8.1 but can prob dump WinX on there and rock and roll!

[Mitsu3000gt]

I get the impression it will be semi-static. He's an auditor, and will be taking it from job to job, presumably given a desk at each job, and taking it home with him every day. Doesn't sound like he will be using it with a regular PC monitor.

The Asus looks pretty good, though hopefully you can disable that touch screen. I will add that to my recommendation list. I like the combination SDD + HDD though I am not sure the user will even know how to use them both haha.

[revelations]

All touch screens can be disabled. Most users dont know they have it unless they are told.

You can just default the users documents, pictures etc. to the HDD if its not done at the factory already.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Do you think Lenovo makes a better workhorse than Asus from a build perspective? I love my Zenbook, but Lenovo always makes a big deal about splash resistant keyboards, etc. which might be better suited to a work environment. Not sure, just thinking out loud.

[revelations]

Youd have to compare each product.

Not all Lenovo units have spill-proof/resistant designs and some - even if damaged with the Lenovo warranty, will not be covered. I had a drive fail in a Lenovo unit once and they just dropped off a new one, without OS or anything else pre-installed. Warranty was 300$ and the drive was worth 100$.

From personal experience, you get less performance for the price with Lenovo and their rugged features are not readily realized unless you're using the laptop in a truck on a daily basis - which would bring out a need for a ToughBook IMO.

[K3RMiTdot]

I recently purchased the 3rd gen X1 Carbon after finding the IBM discount code on redflagdeals

8gb ram + 256 SSD for $1,361 shipped from Lenovo site.

I can post the link or PM you if its against the rules.

[Mitsu3000gt]

I think 14" is going to be too small after talking to him some more, but in every other way I think the X1 Carbon would be ideal.

Still might end up with Lenovo though, so if that promo code is still active, I would be happy to have it just in case.

I think I will just show him 3-4 options and let him pick from there. Best bang for the buck definitely seems to be with Asus though.

[K3RMiTdot]

PMèd you

[Xtrema]

Since this is for work, I would prefer spending on service plans than tech spec.

Unless your boss can be without a laptop for a month or can easily just go out and buy another one.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by Xtrema
Since this is for work, I would prefer spending on service plans than tech spec.

Unless your boss can be without a laptop for a month or can easily just go out and buy another one.

He likes warranties, so I think no matter what he gets will have some sort of service plan.

[revelations]

Lenovo techs will not reinstall OS, they will just install a new part.

(IMAGE THE SYSTEM !!)

[JDMMAN]

Check out the HP Elitebook Folio series of laptops. I had one and was travelling everywhere with it. 14" screen, but plenty big for work. Loved the thinness as well as the connectivity it has (i.e. 9pin VGA, etc.).

[sabad66]

Originally posted by JDMMAN
Check out the HP Elitebook Folio series of laptops. I had one and was travelling everywhere with it. 14" screen, but plenty big for work. Loved the thinness as well as the connectivity it has (i.e. 9pin VGA, etc.).
:werd:

I had an EliteBook Folio 1040 issued to me at work and i love it. Super thin, light, powerful (i5, SSD, 8GB ram). Should be within your budget.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Those HP's look pretty awesome but I am told 15.6" is the minimum unfortunately. Thanks for the suggestion! I can ask again about 14" but I think it's a no-go.

[Mitsu3000gt]

I think the 14" options are out unfortunately.

What do you guys think of this one? Seems to be well reviewed and is $730 off:

http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=sml5550w7p008ca&model_id=latitude-e5550-laptop&c=ca&l=en&s=bsd&cs=cabsdt1

$1,555
Dell Lattitude E5550
Processor Intel® Core™ i5-5300U Processor, Nvidia GeForce 830M, EDock
Operating System Windows 7 Professional English/French 64bit (Includes Windows 8.1 Pro license)
Display 15.6" FHD (1920x1080) Anti-Glare LCD, Camera WLAN/WWAN support
Memory3 8GB4 DDR3L at 1600MHz
Hard Drive 128GB Mobility Solid State Drive
Warranty 1 Year ProSupport with Next Business Day Onsite Service
Advertised System Weight 4.71 lbs

[FixedGear]

Does he realize how impracticle it is to lug a giant 15" to and from work everyday? I'd strongly recommend him to get a smaller unit with external keyboard and monitor.