New laptop needed - suggestions

[W4NTED]

Hi Folks,

Just taken on a new contract role for 2018. Been told I have to use my personal laptop for work and log in to their systems via VPN. They said a PC would be better over a Macbook as they have had issues with Macbooks in the past.

Need something light please...suggestions?

Thanks

[Mr Pointy]

Some idea of your budget would help. Dell XPS15 or Lenovo X1 Carbon are often recommended.

[W4NTED]

Can go up to £1200 I guess Thanks

[anonymous-user]

Asus zenbook for a more budget option - £699 for a i7(6500) refurb - https://www.xsonly.com/collections/refurbished-asu...

Dell Latitude 7480 (c1.5kg so not that light) - c£1200 or XPS 13 c£1200 c1.2kg. I've heard some issues with the XPS range being a bit fragile though. I've had a few older latitudes and they took fairly clumsy use quite well.

[W4NTED]

Thanks for the suggestions...anyone know if this is any good (can get it in silver too!)
https://www.johnlewis.com/hp-spectre-13-v000na-lap...

[RizzoTheRat]

For that budget the Dell XPS gets a lot of good reviews.

Take a look at the Dell outlet store for discounted refurbished models, I got my Inspiron 2 in 1 from there at a significant discount over new prices.


I would give serious thought to size and weight though. I went for a 13" for portability, but if I was spending all day on it for work I'd want a bigger screen, unless the main use was somewhere I could plug in to a bigger monitor. If I'm using Excel Online for example I lose a third of the screen to the menus. My wife's just bought the 15" version and is better for doing work on, but a bit big for sitting on your lap on a train.

[Mr Pointy]

RizzoTheRat said:

If I'm using Excel Online for example I lose a third of the screen to the menus. My wife's just bought the 15" version and is better for doing work on, but a bit big for sitting on your lap on a train.

Going off topic a bit but this is why many business users really need 4:3 screens bringing back. it's like trying to work through a letterbox in some programs.

[sgrimshaw]

RizzoTheRat said:

If I'm using Excel Online for example I lose a third of the screen to the menus.

Don't have access to Excel Online, but does CTRL-F1 work in the same way as it does on Desktop version ... ie hides/displays the ribbon bar

[Frimley111R]

They are all going to be good enough. Go to a shop and try the keyboards out, I almost chose mine simply based on it having lovely keys. I also found a laptop with a touchscreen was very useful too.

[48k]

What are you going to be using the laptop for?

Is battery life important or not?

Is screen size important or not?

[W4NTED]

I’ll be plugged in to a monitor most of the time so battery life and screen size dont matter too much. Excel, emails, word, PDF all the usual office stuff...
Thanks

[hyphen]

For an essential work laptop, you want business level support.

So look for 3/4 years free next day onsite service as offered by the main HP/Dell/Lenovo offerings on their business ranges. Get a dock too, saves playing with cables.

[Flooble]

I'd suggest one that has a docking station available, much easier than faffing around plugging in lots of cables each time you want to use the external monitors.

[RizzoTheRat]

sgrimshaw said:

RizzoTheRat said:

If I'm using Excel Online for example I lose a third of the screen to the menus.

Don't have access to Excel Online, but does CTRL-F1 work in the same way as it does on Desktop version ... ie hides/displays the ribbon bar

Just tried it and yes it removes the ribbon, you still have the browser frame and some other gubbins at the top, but that takes up about the same amount of space as the the ribbon and headers of a standard excel window. I'd never come across Ctrl-F1 before, good tip, thanks

[Cyberprog]

I'm running an XPS 15 9560 for work, I've been blown away by how good it is really.

My config is the i7 QC, 16GB RAM with 512GB SSD, non 4k screen, fingerprint sensor etc.

Battery life is incredible, talking 8+hours easily, not run it flat yet. Performance is very very good.

We bought ours with the TB16 thunderbolt 3 dock (USB-C) and that's brilliant, I just hook up with a single cable when I get to my desk and that charges my laptop and brings my additional two screens (one displayport, one HDMI) online with network and USB etc.

Only downside I have experienced is that the built in webcam is very poor, sat at the bottom of the screen is a poor location. But I rarely use it, so not a big issue.

[The Moose]

RizzoTheRat said:

sgrimshaw said:

RizzoTheRat said:

If I'm using Excel Online for example I lose a third of the screen to the menus.

Don't have access to Excel Online, but does CTRL-F1 work in the same way as it does on Desktop version ... ie hides/displays the ribbon bar

Just tried it and yes it removes the ribbon, you still have the browser frame and some other gubbins at the top, but that takes up about the same amount of space as the the ribbon and headers of a standard excel window. I'd never come across Ctrl-F1 before, good tip, thanks

I have thought for a while that it’d be great to be able to move the ribbon to the side as opposed to the top.

[daemon]

W4NTED said:

Thanks for the suggestions...anyone know if this is any good (can get it in silver too!)
https://www.johnlewis.com/hp-spectre-13-v000na-lap...

I have its predecessor (ish) - an HP Envy i7 256GB SSD 8GB RAM.

Like you i'm a contractor and the laptop gets used most days in work and in the evenings and weekends.

I would imagine the Spectre suffers the same issues, so heres what i've found :-

These are consumer grade machines, not commercial grade. They look pretty but they dont stand much abuse. I've keys wearing on mine and the palm rests are worn. The metal hood dents and scratches easily.

Its only 18 months old and its been showing signs of keyboard wear and palmrest wear for six months easily.

Also the RAM isnt upgradable as its soldered in which peeves me.

Personally, i'd look to an XPS. Watch for a discounted one on www.dell.co.uk/outlet

Edited by daemon on Saturday 9th December 17:49

[paul789]

Just for balance, and it’s only a single data point, but I regret my decision to buy an XPS a fortnight ago.

There’s a fault with the keyboard. Some of the keys are sticking and click twice when you press them. One in particular feels very flimsy and is working itself loose. The keyboard itself feels too lightweight and, again, flimsy. Like an Audi dashboard.

It’s blue screened 3 times too. Totally standard, fully updated. Very annoying but it could just be a Friday afternoon build.

[bitchstewie]

Latitude are Dell's business oriented range and the current 7x80 serious are seriously nice machines in my view.

Similarly I don't think I'd spend a fortune if you're not going to travel with it too much.

[anonymous-user]

I use a Surface Pro 4 with a dock and two additional screens at home and the same at the office. Works very well and the Surface is very light to carry around.