Which laptop do you use for work?

[gunslinger]

I have an HP DV7 4109 nr and a 13" Macbook Pro (late 2011) 2.4GHz i5 8 GB. Honestly, I use the HP way more than I use the Mac. Old habits are hard to break.

I had the same problem when I first got a Mac. I finally had to unplug the PCs and force myself to use the Mac for everything every day. After about two weeks I wondered why Microsoft didn't do it like this...lol


I had to do pretty much the same thing with Linux.

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

I refurbished myself a Macbook Pro 13-inch (Mid 2009) 2.26Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo/8GB 1333 MHz DDR3 / 500GB HDD 2 partitions, with one side running 10.6.8 and the other running 10.8 a few months ago. This thing is pretty much a 3 year old entry level MBPro machine, but with the RAM maxed out it serves me for what I do daily. I make myself a work (or pretty much all around) laptop out of something someone didn't want to fix (this one liquid spill and dropped) every couple years or when it's time.

 

[DanF]

I rarely have to use a laptop (mobile device) during my work. Whenever I needed to, I've always used my Android phone. The only concern would be to configure network devices, and even for this, I've always used the client's computer systems.

I used to have a MacBook Pro but the VGA went bad, so I didn't bother with replacing the motherboard. Now I'm thinking if a simple Android Tablet would do the job (considering most come with a RJ45 adapter).

Anyone uses one of these?

 

[Rob_NNCC]

I use my phone (HTC Thunderbolt) and a first gen EEEPC. The EEEPC us dualboot between an older version of Ubuntu and windows XP. Leaves for 8 GB Partitions but it is fine. I have aircrack-ng in ubuntu for when people forget their WEP passwords*.


*(Yes, WEP is still the primary scheme here. If you can see someone on your property (lots are pretty big) you can just get your gun, but when I can I move people to WPA not for security but for speed)

 

[cypress]

UPDATE:

Just purchased the Lenovo G570 Pentium version yesterday. They had it on sale at the local Office Depot for $329.99

I will be using it for On site when needed and also running Windows 8 in a virtual enviornment. Besides that my wife will be using it for the most part for college work.

 

[HCHTech]

I have a Verizon netbook (built-in aircard) I use in the field. I replaced the hard disk with an SSD, and upgraded the RAM to 2GB, so it's pretty snappy. I use it for web access when the internet is broken or non-existant, and to troubleshoot networking issues.

I used to use it to take credit cards on my merchant portal, but not since I started using Payanywhere on my phone. Frankly, I've been using it less and less - just often enough to justify the monthly charge for the aircard.

I used it the other day to prove the no-video symptom was a failed card and not the monitor. Pretty basic stuff, but useful. I love that it only weighs about 1.8# - very easy to toss in my bag.

 

[daverichards]

I am sporting a Dell Precision M6500, I7 quad, 20GB ram, dual 320GB hard drives, 1GB ATI video.

Does all I need and more, but I would rather have and not need than need and not have

 

[altrenda]

Nice machine but wow 8.5 lbs. As a mobile tech, I can't imagine lugging that around all day.
My whole bag with tools,cables, and laptop barely weighs 10.

Can I ask what you do that requires that much horsepower in a laptop?

 

[daverichards]

Nice machine but wow 8.5 lbs. As a mobile tech, I can't imagine lugging that around all day.
My whole bag with tools,cables, and laptop barely weighs 10.

Can I ask what you do that requires that much horsepower in a laptop?

LOL, the power brick adds another 2.5 lbs.....

I bought it so I can develop and market virtualized solutions, I can pretty much do everything and more than I can do with my desktop.

I can setup pretty much anywhere and run my whole office, today I was running from the local library, just so I could get away from the 5 kids

 

[altrenda]

You really use it as a portable workstation, then. I can see where it's nice to get some peace and quiet and still have enough power to get work done.

One of the interesting things about Technibble is the varied type of people here, mobile, shop owner, consultant, part timers, etc.

I appreciate the opportunity to learn from people with different experiences, needs and solutions.

 

[N E Day Pc Repair]

That's a good laptop. I like it.

Right now I am currently using a Dell Mini 1012 to take with me on site.

I can't complain, bought it at Fry's for 249.00

 

[cypress]

I can't complain, bought it at Fry's for 249.00

What!!? Wow.

Here I am buying it at $350 with taxes included and that's because it was at $430 the week before.

 

[Von Rutch]

I use a HP TouchSmart tx-2 1250ED. I think I bought it in 2009 and has a AMD Turion X2 dual-core 2,2 GHz CPU, 4 gigs of RAM and a 320GB hard disk.

I got this for my (not so official back then) business and schoolwork. It is a convertible tablet notebook with a full touch screen. I got many A's in school thanks to this puppy, because this was before the iPad launch and could do amazing stuff with it.

Customers were amazed by this notebook. I showed them things that blew their minds. It really got their attention and people still call me now and again because they recognise me with this notebook.

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

I refurbished myself a Macbook Pro 13-inch (Mid 2009) 2.26Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo/8GB 1333 MHz DDR3 / 500GB HDD 2 partitions, with one side running 10.6.8 and the other running 10.8 a few months ago. This thing is pretty much a 3 year old entry level MBPro machine, but with the RAM maxed out it serves me for what I do daily. I make myself a work (or pretty much all around) laptop out of something someone didn't want to fix (this one liquid spill and dropped) every couple years or when it's time.

Don't usually quote myself, but this is for comparisons sake. I just bought a Macbook Pro (15-inch Mid 2009) 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo/8GB 1333MHz DDR3 / 500GB HDD the other day. I don't buy machines often, but this seemed like a pretty good deal once we agreed on price. Best yet, it still has Applecare until almost October of next year (which is unusual for a 3 year old machine unless it was an educational purchase?). I just replaced the top case today under warranty, while apart cleaned inside and out, and popped my drive from the 13-inch in this machine, and am typing this post on this machine. I'm going to play with it this weekend to see if I want to keep it or sell it?

This machine actually is a high end MBPro from the mid 2009 models where the 13-inch I've been using is a low end MBPro. On top of whats listed above this machine has the best GPU available then (NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT 512MB of GDDR3 memory) and more powerful processor (2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB shared L2 cache) as opposed to the 13-inch (NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory) and the processor (2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB on-chip shared L2 cache).
Then of course, there is the added real estate of the 15-inch screen.

I guess I'm posting this because I'm not sure what I want to do. I could easily turn this machine around for a small profit and stay with the 13-inch because even though this machine was very reasonably priced, I hate having money invested in my laptops since I usually refurbish broken ones. Selling the 13-inch is out of the question, since it was a drop/spill combination I brought back to life and while that machine is working great, from an ethical standpoint I don't sell machines I revived like this one (it would more than likely become a shop backup or loaner). Or, I suppose I could just keep both and use one at the shop and the other at home, but the home machine would sit idle a lot of times (except on weekends). I've got to admit, I'd better make up my mind quick though because this one is growing on me.

 

[pcmac]

have you had any problems with Dell ?
my new Dell $1400 vostro laptop is still in warranty repair shop for mobo,screen replacement,after 2 months use , same story with my last Dell Latitude ,buying as a business doesn't get any faster response.Maybe these $300 laptops do the same job

LOL, the power brick adds another 2.5 lbs.....

I bought it so I can develop and market virtualized solutions, I can pretty much do everything and more than I can do with my desktop.

I can setup pretty much anywhere and run my whole office, today I was running from the local library, just so I could get away from the 5 kids

 

[SprinterTech-WI]

have you had any problems with Dell ?
my new Dell $1400 vostro laptop is still in warranty repair shop for mobo,screen replacement,after 2 months use , same story with my last Dell Latitude ,buying as a business doesn't get any faster response.Maybe these $300 laptops do the same job

I don't do dell period...... not even for servers. They give me lots of $$$ in repairs though

 

[N E Day Pc Repair]

I was never very fond of dell, just don't like the overload of garbage they install. But ever since I found that nifty software-PC Decrapifier, ill pretty much use anything now

 

[I.T. Solutions]

I happily use my Dell E6320
prior to buying that laptop...
I used my Asus U31SD-XA1

I now use my dell as my workhorse and now my asus sits pretty on my desk at my office rite above my super-awesome super-custom PC

I've never been one to like a dell but I got it at such a good price and it is special because it's also the first "asset/write-off" I purchased for my business

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

have you had any problems with Dell ?
my new Dell $1400 vostro laptop is still in warranty repair shop for mobo,screen replacement,after 2 months use , same story with my last Dell Latitude ,buying as a business doesn't get any faster response.Maybe these $300 laptops do the same job

The Latitude should have next business day onsite repair. My clients that I sell the Latitudes for....it's especially handy for those clients that are far away.

I spend maybe 5 or 10 minutes in the business product support Chat window with Dell, and quickly and easily have a Dell tech dispatched and the hardware fix is taken care of.

Business desktops also get a totally different support queue...much quicker than the home users queue. Buying as business, or dealing with them as a reseller..definitely a much better support response.

It is the LEAST amount of time and effort I spend on any computer repair problems, of any brand. And I can easily get it done via online chat window...while at the office doing other things like catching up on e-mail or invoicing...or other things that I rarely have to time to do.

And Dell pays some tech to go onsite and do the job. For me, with my fixed monthly clients..makes the most sense...as I'm not spending my time doing something like break/fix, nor am I burning gas going there.

Their good Latitude models don't come with bloatware like the home grade ones do. At least if you're ordering them properly for your clients.

That said..for day to day use as an onsite computer/network tech....I still prefer a tank of a laptop...Lenovo Thinkpads.
My Thinkpads rarely get fully powered off or fully rebooted. Usually just a dozen times a day or greater...the lid get slammed shut, it gets thrown in my laptop bag still running, attached to the back of the Harley (black laptop bag in the hot sun? Oh yeah! Hefty vibrations from a big v-twin motorcycle? Oh yeah!)
Or tossed on the floor of the pickup..and off to the next location. Remote, open lid, log in....repeat cycle.
It can go for over a month or two without a proper reboot.

 

[d0m0]

I have a Dell Latitude E6400. Just put in a SSD in it and now it feels like a new laptop. Hopefully will get another couple of years out of it.

And Dell business support is great. I have gotten parts for my laptop the next day via contacting them through chat.