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High-End Business Notebooks

post #1 of 31
7/23/06 at 4:02pm
Thread Starter 
I am in the market for a new notebook computer for business use. I am Director of Computer Support on a Windows 2003/Windows XP network at a construction company. I travel frequently between job sites and locations. I am currently using a Dell Latitude D810. While I like this notebook’s performance and 1900 x 1200 resolution, it is incredibly thick (I’m guessing around 1.4-1.5”) and thus difficult to carry around. I do not want to lose this resolution (I need at least WXGA+) due to increased productivity. I also like being able to dock my computer and use it with dual monitors in my office. For the same reason, I need a high-end video card.

I’ve looked at the following computers:

(1)Dell D820
This is the obvious choice since I already have a D-series notebook. My D-Dock and optical/spare batteries would all be good to use again. With my corporate pricing (we’ve bought all Dell servers) I can get a good deal on it. The problem is that it is still thick.

(2)HP Compaq nw8440
This is a mobile workstation with all the features of the D820, only it is 1.1” thick. That’s much better. I’d like something in the 1” range. The problem is that it won’t work with my other accessories and is very expensive. It starts at about $3000. I can get the Dell I want for less than $2000.

(3)Apple MacBook Pro
I could re-format and run Windows. It is 1” thick. It is by far the most aesthetically pleasing, and is more powerful in some regards than the D820. The problem is that it is not compatible with my existing dock/battery/optical drive setup, and that it has that huge Apple logo. In business, perception is everything. I don’t want to give our users the impression that I don’t believe in our network and the set of services we are providing. I’m a manager and need to act like one.

So, as you can see, I am in a bit of a pickle. Does anyone have any words of wisdom or advice? Also, are there any other models with similar specs, i.e. Dual Core, 100-120GB, <=1.1” thick, Gigabit Ethernet, wi-fi, BT, 1394, 1-2GB RAM etc?

I’m not having much luck with the CDW notebook selector or my company’s Dell premier page.

Thanks in advance if anyone can help me!
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post #2 of 31
7/23/06 at 4:36pm
Did you consider the D620? I don't know if it has the resolution you were looking for, but I think it had everything else and is smaller than the 820.
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post #3 of 31
7/23/06 at 4:43pm
Thread Starter 
I am still considering the D620, actually.

My problem with it is the lack of screen resolution. I'm spoiled by my 1900 x 1200. Am I just expecting too much? (Don't answer that, please!)

I may wind up with a D620 yet.
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post #4 of 31
7/23/06 at 5:03pm
I only mentioned it becuase you hadn't. I haven't had good luck with the d620 yet. This is the second one in a month which I have had (returned first, this is going back too.) The right side of the case on both have been loose. The touchpad on this one suddenly stops responding at times. Attempted a format and still continues to have problems.

I am trying to decide if I will get yet another D620 or go for the MBP. The only major downside is the MBP doesn't have a verizon antenna built in, accidental coverage and next day service are not available. Those two are rather important to me.
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post #5 of 31
7/23/06 at 5:06pm
this has a good video card go7600 and 15.4” Wide Screen WUXGA 1920 x 1200
plus only 1.3" thick http://www.alienware.com/product_det...EFAULT#pdp-nav
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post #6 of 31
7/23/06 at 5:12pm
Thread Starter 
We only have one D620 in our organization. We've had good luck with it so far, but the user isn't very mobile. I've asked her to "review" it for me. We'll see how that turns out. She isn't technical but she is a power user, in some ways.

My wife has a MBP that she uses for business and she adores it. That said, we have to have Safeware insurance on it. Apple isn't great on the accidental coverage policies. That's another stirke against them in the workplace. I feel your pain on that one. For a huge segment of the business population, the MBP is the best option, sans the NBD service/accidental coverage problem, as well as the image problem in corporate IT.

I think I'll wait a few months and let them work some of the kinks out of the D620. I'll hate moving to that smaller screen, but I had a much smaller one not that long ago.
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post #7 of 31
7/23/06 at 5:12pm
although i recomend buying the ram seperately and save yourself $100 just take there basic 512 and get 2gb at newegg
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post #8 of 31
7/23/06 at 8:49pm
asus a6j?
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post #9 of 31
7/23/06 at 8:52pm
AW != business.
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post #10 of 31
7/23/06 at 11:40pm
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post #11 of 31
7/23/06 at 11:42pm
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post #12 of 31
7/23/06 at 11:54pm
lol business lappy withan alienhead on it haha
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post #13 of 31
7/24/06 at 12:11am
it gets the job done doesnt it...what exactly is special about a business notebook , i had a evo n1000c before, it was classified as a business notebook, its no different than any other ,is the processor more specially made ..no..,in the end its about what you need which in turn you guys say you need 15" with wuxga + vid card and thin ,the only docking needed for two lcd hookups can be done via s-video and dvi built into the laptop so no docking station needed, AW fits it perfectly except for the case lol
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post #14 of 31
7/24/06 at 12:13am
I would go with the Mac out of those.
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post #15 of 31
7/24/06 at 12:37am
Thread Starter 
Well, the answer is definitely that I'm being too picky.

That having been said, you guys are great. I made this post at a few other (hardware specific) forums and got my head lopped off. I think I'll frequent this one from here on out.
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post #16 of 31
7/24/06 at 12:50am
just took a second look at the gallery shots and you could put a business sticker on there to cover that little alienhead ,it would look normal and it fits EVERYTHING you need
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post #17 of 31
7/24/06 at 1:05am
Nobody has mentioned Lenovo?
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post #18 of 31
7/24/06 at 1:21am
Thread Starter 
No, but I have looked into them. I like their offerings on 14" screens. In terms of build quality, they are among the finest (or so I hear). Their 15" screen notebooks are in the same range as the Dell D820 in terms of thickness.

Am I hung up too much on that? If so, the D820 is one of the best choices I could make. GREAT power. Same goes for the HP, and the ThinkPad.
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post #19 of 31
7/24/06 at 10:10am
njstehle

I don't think you are being too picky when it comes to choosing a business level laptop. Perhaps we should start out with some basic requirements for a business laptop and some of these posters will see why many laptops just don't fit the mold.

1. First and foremost, I think it has to support DVI through put to an external LCD. I can only think of two laptops that do this WITHOUT a docking station or a port replicator. ACER 8204 and MBP. There may be others, but those are the only ones I'm aware of.

2. Should (note, I didn't say MUST) have an available port replicator or docking station to facilitate productivity at the office. HP, Sony, Dell, and Lenovo offer these. ACER has one but it sucks bit time.

3. Accessories... mostly in the form of additional battery options when you are on the road. IE, Dell offers a Ultrabay battery which extends untethered use quite a bit. Thinkpads have the same thing.

4. Most business models have a longer life-cycle than consumer models - I think it's around two years. This means that you won't buy one today and not be able to get a replacement for it six months down the road.

5. Security - Most business models have a higher level of security built into the BIOS and/or hardware. Dell's and Thinkpads have optional fingerprint readers which some may claim offer more security. Depends, I guess. On a Dell and a Thinkpad (these are the only ones I'm familiar with), you can set a hard drive password so that even if they put the hard drive in another laptop, they won't be able to access it.

6. Warranty - More than the basic one year warranty is a must! And you've got to be able to get it fixed NOW if something goes wrong. Yes, I have a backup because I can't afford any down time, not even an hour. But since I keep my laptop for two or three years, I need a warranty to match and excellent support. And yes, I'm willing to pay for it.

Taking all this into consideration, most business users still want the lightest, fastest laptop thean get their hands on. After all, if you're like me, my laptop goes everywhere with me because I have clients to support where ever I am.

So for sure, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and perhaps Sony fall into this category. Apple may be on the fringe because of the quality and aesthetics of the design. It doesn't hurt that they were rated one of the highest computer makers for "customer satisfaction".

In the end, it may come down to what works best for you when you consider all the possibilities.
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post #20 of 31
7/24/06 at 11:33am
so no asus because of the port replicator?
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