Laptop Advice

[kc78]

I'm looking for a new laptop for work. Most of my real data processing is offloaded through remote desktop to other servers to do the real crunching, so most of my work is simply internet access (With lots of open tabs) and running several concurrent remote desktop connections. My biggest requirement is the ability to connect via a docking station to my two large monitors at my desk which can connect either using DVI or Display Port connections. They must run Windows 10, or possibly 7 if that's even still available. Mac is not an option.

I haven't had to shop for laptops in ages. Does anyone have recommendations on the best places to shop to find the best prices? Work would be paying, but I still need to keep the costs reasonable. 2000 bucks+ simply isn't really an option.

 

[GbrNole]

probably a dell xps 15 or a lenovo carbon x1 (if you want something a bit more compact). both have dual thunderbolt 3 capability and the firepower you would need to run vm. can nab them for under $2k.

both are very easy to carry but not in the ultra portable realm of a dell xps 13 and similar.

if you live anywhere near a costco they provide an automatic two year warranty and can be extended for another two years if you purchase using their store credit card. they sell dell and lenovo but i don't recall them selling the carbon x1 model.

 

[FSUTribe76]

I'm looking for a new laptop for work. Most of my real data processing is offloaded through remote desktop to other servers to do the real crunching, so most of my work is simply internet access (With lots of open tabs) and running several concurrent remote desktop connections. My biggest requirement is the ability to connect via a docking station to my two large monitors at my desk which can connect either using DVI or Display Port connections. They must run Windows 10, or possibly 7 if that's even still available. Mac is not an option.

I haven't had to shop for laptops in ages. Does anyone have recommendations on the best places to shop to find the best prices? Work would be paying, but I still need to keep the costs reasonable. 2000 bucks+ simply isn't really an option.

This question comes up about every other month. The answer is always the same. Get whatever the best Lenovo that is currently on the market if you want a laptop or hybrid (better imo than Apple and Microsoft’s laptops and hybrids) and if you want a tablet that can do most of what a laptop can do other than high end gaming, get an Apple especially their ipad Pros regardless of size.

I’ve done that same thing for the last 6 years or so upgrading about every two years (and handing my old ones down to poorer family members) occasionally even every year and I’ve always been happy with the outcome. I’ve got the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Yoga as well as the smaller iPad Pro and the wife has a Lenovo Yoga 910 from late 2016 and we’re both very happy.

 

[Finance85]

Whatever you do, get a solid state hard drive.

 

[GbrNole]

Whatever you do, get a solid state hard drive.

PCIe based SSD! and preferably 16GB of ram. If you need so save a few dollars the core i5 8250 recently introduced is a beast, very comparable to prior seventh gen core i7.

 

[ericram]

Get the Levono

 

[OrlandNole]

probably a dell xps 15 or a lenovo carbon x1 (if you want something a bit more compact). both have dual thunderbolt 3 capability and the firepower you would need to run vm. can nab them for under $2k.

both are very easy to carry but not in the ultra portable realm of a dell xps 13 and similar.

if you live anywhere near a costco they provide an automatic two year warranty and can be extended for another two years if you purchase using their store credit card. they sell dell and lenovo but i don't recall them selling the carbon x1 model.

This. I've had good luck with Costco. You can get a solid machine with 16GB RAM, 8th gen processor and 512 GB SSD in the $1,500 range.

 

[fsu1jreed]

I've never had a bad Toshiba...........I currently have a Satellite Radius 2 in 1 with:

• 15.6" TruBrite Full HD touch screen
• 6th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-6500U mobile processor
• 8GB RAM
• 1 TB Hard Drive
• 360° convertible design
• Windows 10 Pro

It's the best laptop I've ever had and only cost ~$800. Granted, I never use it as a touchscreen, but it's there if I ever need it.

 

[BigDog214]

Asus or Lenovo. Definitely get the solid state hard drive.

 

[seminoledq]

This question comes up about every other month. The answer is always the same. Get whatever the best Lenovo that is currently on the market if you want a laptop or hybrid (better imo than Apple and Microsoft’s laptops and hybrids) and if you want a tablet that can do most of what a laptop can do other than high end gaming, get an Apple especially their ipad Pros regardless of size.

I’ve done that same thing for the last 6 years or so upgrading about every two years (and handing my old ones down to poorer family members) occasionally even every year and I’ve always been happy with the outcome. I’ve got the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Yoga as well as the smaller iPad Pro and the wife has a Lenovo Yoga 910 from late 2016 and we’re both very happy.

This is very Tribe even for Tribe. Try again. The OP:
-doesn't want it for gaming
-doesn't want a tablet
-says Apple is not an option

 

[kc78]

This is very Tribe even for Tribe. Try again. The OP:
-doesn't want it for gaming
-doesn't want a tablet
-says Apple is not an option

His advice about Lenovo seems to be spot on at least. I can't afford the one he mentioned, but reviews for all of their models seem to be exceptional.

 

[BarryB1081]

This question comes up about every other month. The answer is always the same. Get whatever the best Lenovo that is currently on the market if you want a laptop or hybrid (better imo than Apple and Microsoft’s laptops and hybrids) and if you want a tablet that can do most of what a laptop can do other than high end gaming, get an Apple especially their ipad Pros regardless of size.

I’ve done that same thing for the last 6 years or so upgrading about every two years (and handing my old ones down to poorer family members) occasionally even every year and I’ve always been happy with the outcome. I’ve got the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Yoga as well as the smaller iPad Pro and the wife has a Lenovo Yoga 910 from late 2016 and we’re both very happy.

Lenovo’s are the bomb. I just got rid of my 2014 model to upgrade, but I really liked that laptop. Zero problems.

 

[OrlandNole]

Here's a solid deal on an XPS if you're in interested in touchscreen > link

 

[TallyNole93]

I know Dell can fit his docking and display needs. Can the other suggested brands do the same? When I worked I used a Dell Latitude E6430 and a docking station connected to 2 monitors.

 

[GbrNole]

I know Dell can fit his docking and display needs. Can the other suggested brands do the same? When I worked I used a Dell Latitude E6430 and a docking station connected to 2 monitors.

these days most everything is docked through a USB-C hub. just need to make sure that the computer you're looking at is USB-C charging capable and has thunderbolt 3.

it's a nice single wire hookup from the dock to the computer then.

 

[Nole-4-Life]

Whatever you do, get a solid state hard drive.

That's a true story. I just got a HP refurb with 16GB ram and a solid state drive and this things screams. I can walk in my office, hit the power button, and by the time I turn the lights on it's ready for me to log in.

 

[Seminolejon78]

Don’t go with Windows 7. Microsoft support ends in just a couple of years.

 

[Buckheadnole]

Personally I love my HP EliteBook X360 1020. Thin, fast, touchscreen, transforms into a tablet and tough for travel through airports. And yes I have a docking station for home.

 

[riseboi]

Not really a fan of the Inspiron line, but this is a great price for the specs.

$999 + tax, free ship.
15.6" UHD
7th gen i7
GTX1060 graphics
16GB RAM
128SSD + 1TB HD

https://slickdeals.net/f/11283183-d...gb-16gb-ddr4-1tb-hd-128gb-ssd-999-walmart?v=1

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Dell-Ins...38313507880384086212&affillinktype=10&veh=aff

2018 models are popping up now, so companies are clearing out stock. Good time to buy now, as long as you don't need the latest and greatest.

NOTE: ebates is also currently offering 5% cashback.

EDIT: Look like deal is dead. OOS.

 

[OrlandNole]

Not really a fan of the Inspiron line, but this is a great price for the specs.

$999 + tax, free ship.
15.6" UHD
7th gen i7
GTX1060 graphics
16GB RAM
128SSD + 1TB HD

https://slickdeals.net/f/11283183-d...gb-16gb-ddr4-1tb-hd-128gb-ssd-999-walmart?v=1

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Dell-Ins...38313507880384086212&affillinktype=10&veh=aff

2018 models are popping up now, so companies are clearing out stock. Good time to buy now, as long as you don't need the latest and greatest.

NOTE: ebates is also currently offering 5% cashback.

EDIT: Look like deal is dead. OOS.

This is a gaming laptop, which includes unnecessary costs such as the video card. He can get a much better build quality with sufficient specs for the same price.

 

[Banditking]

I bought a surfacebook last year. Supposedly there are reliability problems but I haven’t had any issues. The form factor is quite nice.

 

[kld04g]

I've had an HP Spectre x360 for a couple years now and absolutely love it. The 2-in-1 form factor is really great, especially for taking on airplanes. The new HP Spectre x360 is very slim in the 13" size.

The other leader is the Dell XPS 13. Both models (HP and Dell) allow for USB-C docking, that can drive your dual displays and charging over a single cable.