HELP - Laptop Recommendation --- Win 7 pro

[FremontPC]

For biz, I'd lean towards the Thinkpad/Latitude level.

Got an Outlet HP 3500 Core i3/6GB for a biz customer, so slow with the WD Blue they put in it that I offered him a SSD swap that he couldn't refuse (basically parts only). It was an embarrassment otherwise, almost as slow as the Vista system it replaced. CPU isn't waiting around for the HDD to deliver anymore, quick boot, quick app launch/response even with Quickbooks. The box was only $220 from HP outlet, but lordy do they lean on the cheap chipsets and cut the features on those things. H61 Express chipset, Sata II.

Even with the same drive, better chipsets seem offer higher performance, good advertisement for looking a bit higher on the shelf.

Snagged a desktop from of Dell Outlet, i5 Haswell/6GB. 3 Sata ports. Hmmm. Good sense for some biz applications that won't use more than that (or even more than 2 ports), but seems the lads are getting a tad frugal there...

 

[coffee]

@everyone that replied:

I really screwed up on this one. I dont know how I didnt see the drive specs and all. Thats not like me at all and Im really embarrassed about it. I guess we all do stupid things now and again. It was bound to catch up with me.

I feel like this:

Well, Anyways, I bought the thinkpads with the SSD drives for a suitable replacement.

Thanks everyone,

coffee

 

[deachus]

Here's the HP ProBook 450G1 that I bought from Microcenter for my business clients. Very fast and durable laptop after throwing a Samsung Pro 256GB SSD in.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/427856/ProBook_450_G1_156_Laptop_Computer_-_Black

 

[altrenda]

It happens to all of us one time or another.

This is a lesson for those customers who instead of repairing their laptop want to just buy another one for $400. Look at what that gets you. You have to spend another $125 or so for an SSD to make it reasonable, and transfer all your data and programs, if you have them.

 

[Rosco]

There ya go!
We do lots of Lenovo Thinkpads (T series and X series) for our clients..and ourselves. I love 'em! Real work horses...solid business grade laptops that last..and last...and last!

I try to do lenovo as much as possible. I dont deal with anything but business grade so never had a problem. Try to do refubs as much as possible saves a lot of money.

Really if you go business class with all major brands i find there are far less problems.

 

[ComputerExchange]

Ok, so I don't really like to promote Tiger, but..

This laptop has 7Pro and 8Pro, dual license.. i3 is just fine...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8557692&CatId=4935

 

[coffee]

Just a side note here,

Reason I do buy some things from Tiger direct is because they have a warehouse in Chicago that ships quick to me. Also, I do find some good deals on there.

However, newegg just opened a new warehouse in Indianapolis - cool.




coffee

 

[altrenda]

Ok, so I don't really like to promote Tiger, but..

This laptop has 7Pro and 8Pro, dual license.. i3 is just fine...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8557692&CatId=4935

How is this going to be any different performance wise from what he bought from lenovo? Same processor, graphics, and 5400rpm drive? That one at least had 6 Gig ram, but no dual licenses.
Personally, it loses points for being an HP, but thats just me.

 

[coffee]

I Just got the laptops in today and started updates and checking them out. They came from Tiger Direct. I guess this will be my review of this Lenovo laptop.

First off, The laptops came in seperate laptop shipping boxes. Thats fine. I can always use the shipping boxes as they look like they are reuseable.

They look brand new!

Lenovo ThinkPad W510 Notebook PC - Intel Core i7-720QM 1.6GHz, 4GB DDR3, 128GB SSD, DVDRW, 15.4" Display, Windows 7 Professional (64-Bit)

I have to say, 8 cores of solid performance that I would think anyone would want. This thing does scream with the SSD drive inside. The laptop is a bit heavy but I look at that as solid construction. Im sure these will go the distance for my customer.

Boot up time? For a first time start up was about 30 seconds. After the initial setup the boot time went to about 15 seconds. 15 SECONDS??? REALLY??? wow.

I downloaded 149 updates from a wireless N connection and it took to my amazement about a quarter of the time I see other laptops running at. Im sitting here watching the updates install now and its been about 10 minutes tops and half of them are already done! - Downloading that is.

Im very impressed. What else can I say? 500 bucks for this and it really performs. I cannot wait to install my normal round of improvements - Firefox, Avast, Adobe reader, ect...

Bloatware? None. Nothing wierd going on or installed. I cannot wait to drop these on my customer and see what they think.

coffee

 

[gikstar]

I usually go for these:
Dell Precision m4500 - Quad Core i7 - 8gb Ram - 250gb Hard drive - win7 Professional 64bit - Quadro 880m 1gb Graphics - 15.6 inch HD Screen - extended 9 Cell Battery and 130watt Power Adapter.
A local guy gets these and charges me $450 and we offer them them to our business clients for $600 with file transfer - usually Grade A and the ones we've purchased so far have been immaculate.

We use one ourselves which allows us to show our clients the quality of the units.

He also has the Dell Latitude e6410 i7 w/4Gbs of ram for $360 in case the client doesn't want a 15.6" laptop and the Dell e6410 i5 2.4GHz CPU w/4gb Ram for $260

I used to shop Craigslist and eBay for laptops but now I just deal with this local guy 'cause he stands behind his products and does all of the preliminary testing.

As you all know, the Big Box Stores only carry the consumer selection of laptops that come with Windows 8 standard - No Pro = no downgrade rights... so our business clients need to go with new Business Class Laptops or used business class

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Im sure these will go the distance for my customer.
I cannot wait to drop these on my customer and see what they think.

Should work out great for you and them!

Lenovo Thinkpads are our top preference for our clients. My colleague and I use them ourselves..have for years..since back to the T 20 series. Real business class workhorse laptops. I use the analogy "They're like the Ford F-350 pickup"

I encourage you to look at the various models of Thinkpads. They make many other models, but the true "Thinkpad" range is their best. Drool over the dreamy (and pricey) Carbon X1. I recently got a T431S Ultrabook. Very thin and light.

If you get authorized to become a Lenovo reseller....you are allowed one very discounted promo purchase per quarter.

Dells Lats/Precisions are our second tier laptops for slightly more budget conscious.

 

[HFultzjr]

Ok, so I don't really like to promote Tiger, but..

This laptop has 7Pro and 8Pro, dual license.. i3 is just fine...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8557692&CatId=4935

In my opinion the 5400 HD just wouldn't get the performance I think he is looking.

7200 - min.

SSD -Yeah baby!

IMHO

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

And please run fast and far from any 4,200 rpm drives you see in laptops. Talk about painful....it's about as fun as mowing your lawn with a pair of toenail clippers.

 

[coffee]

Interesting, Just finished up customizing the laptop software and noticed something: One of the laptops actually has 8 gigs ram in it. Nice little bonus eh? But I went out and bought some ram to beef up the other one to 8 gigs.

Thanks everyone!!

coffee