New Laptop Computer Guidance

[evantwheeler]

I have been running a $180 craigslist HP Elitebook for like 8 years. It has served me well to say the least. I bought it to run HP tuners on it, and about 5 years ago converted it into my work computer, and by converted, I mean I just started using it daily for work (emails, spreadsheets, and killing downtime on RDP and other forums, once in a while some AutoCAD drafting). Recently, it has been struggling with what I believe to be memory and/or graphics related slow downs, its becomming an issue. Boss said buy whatever you want, need, and our "computer guy" initially told me to go to Costco and buy what I want/like. I told him I wanted something with a docking station and the ability to run AutoCAD LT, and possibly some simple 3D modeling with Solidworks, and he says ooohh, that's going to be a $5k+ custom build. Fuck that guy. I was running solidworks doing simple modeling in 2007 with an off the shelf $800 Staples HP laptop, I don't see any reason why I need a custom build, computers have to be light years better today than they were in 2007? I'm not doing surface modeling or rendering or massive assemblies. My biggest complaint with anything off the shelf is the bloat ware that comes pre-loaded.

I was reading online and users were suggesting going to ebay and buying refurbished corporate laptops, my problem is there are just too many choices and I really am computer illiterate/ignorant. For them being a tool I've used daily since probably 2003, I really don't know shit about them other than they need to be plugged in and if things freeze up, hold power for 45 seconds and pray everything still exists and functions.

I would like to buy something with:
- industrial chassis for durability
- no touch screen
- no cd/disc reader
- no numeric keys
- must have an external docking station available for purchase
- MS office pre-loaded
- The most bare bones software possible, no bloat ware or unneeded BS

What should I buy?

 

[Done-it-again]

I’ve been running a LG Gram and its been great. I’ve a had a large workstation HP and that dam thing was so heavy, but did very well for a lot of years.

I run full 2023 CAD on the gram.

 

[rivermobster]

Durability?

My 2cents says Lenovo.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

If you plan on doing autocad with it, some areas to focus on:

1. More cores is better on the CPU than more speed.

2. Get as much RAM (memory) as you can afford.

3. Try hard to find a laptop with a SSD drive of at least 500GB or larger.

Those areas right there will help your autocad experience and additionally make everything else better too.

If you want thin and light you can look at Dells XPS line up.

HP has a Spectre line for thin and light.

If you are serious about industrial chassis your two choices are the Panasonic Toughbook, or a Getac. Neither will be thin or light as they are milspec drop tested.

 

[rivermobster]

And here are your specs for todays Solid works...

https://www.solidworks.com/support/system-requirements

Probably have to scroll down a bit to see all the details.

 

[Ren]

There is some good advice in here. The requirements for 2d autocad, simple part 3d solidworks and large 3d assemblies in solidworks can vary a bit. As said above, solidworks will give you system requirement guidance and certified tested gpu drivers. I build all of our engineering rigs at work as desktops. But in general you cant go wrong with a dell, been using their servers and lower cost mid level workstations for a bit now. For a laptop i really like lenovo thinkpads, i have x3 in circulation in the office and they seem to hold up.

 

[pkrrvr619]

Mac book pro with any silicon chip should do well.

 

[Cobalt232]

I get all of our PC's from the Dell Outlet. Great warranty, good prices. Call them to order and you get a few more % off. I even get our rack servers there.

edit: I've bought at least 100 units and never have seen anything that resembles 'refurbished'. Always seem brand new.

Refurbished & Overstock Laptops, PCs, Monitors: Dell Outlet | Dell USA | Dell USA

Refurbished laptops, desktop gaming computers, monitors, docks & servers on the cheap from Dell Outlet. READY TO SHIP laptops for sale. Up to 30% savings.

outlet.us.dell.com

 

[HNL2LHC]

What ever you buy make sure it has a Nvidia video card. @C-Ya needs your help to hit $6m.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

MacBook Pro and don't even waste yore time with that PC BS...

This message not approved by Joe...

 

[CoolCruzin]

Fastest CPU you can afford ,I like the AMD chip
Lot of ram 16 and 32 is better.
Fast graphics card.

To sum it up - the more dollars the better it will be .
Costco you can’t go wrong plus the
Warranty is doubled.

You will need a windows computer
with your AutoCad software

 

[boatpi]

As previously posted LG Gram x-100, got it at Costco SSDI 500gb to one terabyte hard drive. We’ve had three of them for a year. They’re fabulous and insanely fast. Very light to you just can’t go wrong in our opinion.

 

[evantwheeler]

Thanks all. Will do some more research based on suggestions. Zero interest in an Apple product.

 

[rivermobster]

Thanks all. Will do some more research based on suggestions. Zero interest in an Apple product.

^^^ Wise man!

 

[Rbcconst]

We have been buying the omen gaming lap tops from best buy, runs all our software no problem. They are HPs. They are real fast and seem to have great specs out of the box.

 

[evantwheeler]

I get all of our PC's from the Dell Outlet. Great warranty, good prices. Call them to order and you get a few more % off. I even get our rack servers there.

edit: I've bought at least 100 units and never have seen anything that resembles 'refurbished'. Always seem brand new.

Refurbished & Overstock Laptops, PCs, Monitors: Dell Outlet | Dell USA | Dell USA

Refurbished laptops, desktop gaming computers, monitors, docks & servers on the cheap from Dell Outlet. READY TO SHIP laptops for sale. Up to 30% savings.

outlet.us.dell.com

Been playing with Lenovo, HP, and Dell sites this morning. By far, prefer Dell's site and ability to filter through all the offerings.

Here are the filters I used to narrow down my search:
-non touch screen
-windows 11 pro
- min 512gb storage
- min 32gb memory
- exclude Alienware product line (I'm not a gamer, I don't need to pay for the name)

I really like the robustness of the older HP Elitebook chassis that I currently have and was looking at some newer refurbished EliteBook 8560w on eBay, but the downside is the size and bulkiness of the dockinstation compared to what I could get for the Dell laptops. 99% sure I'm going dell.

Are there any units here that standout from my filtered list in the first link for value/performance? Leaning towards the $988 Inspiron 14" Plus. Seems the more expensive XPS models all have NVIDIA graphics vs. intel, not sure that is necessary for my use.

Refurbished Business Laptops & 2-in-1s: Dell Outlet | Dell United States

For $1k, this seems to have pretty good performance?

Refurbished & Overstock Laptops, PCs, Monitors: Dell Outlet | Dell USA | Dell USA

Refurbished laptops, desktop gaming computers, monitors, docks & servers on the cheap from Dell Outlet. READY TO SHIP laptops for sale. Up to 30% savings.

outlet.us.dell.com

The 14" and 16" Precision units also look like good values, but the 16" has half the storage. I store very little on my computer. All of our files are stored on Google Drive and I don't have any files remotely accessible. I don't thing 1TB is as necessary for me for on-computer storage in this case, or am I incorrect in that thinking?

 

[rivermobster]

Been playing with Lenovo, HP, and Dell sites this morning. By far, prefer Dell's site and ability to filter through all the offerings.

Here are the filters I used to narrow down my search:
-non touch screen
-windows 11 pro
- min 512gb storage
- min 32gb memory
- exclude Alienware product line (I'm not a gamer, I don't need to pay for the name)

I really like the robustness of the older HP Elitebook chassis that I currently have and was looking at some newer refurbished EliteBook 8560w on eBay, but the downside is the size and bulkiness of the dockinstation compared to what I could get for the Dell laptops. 99% sure I'm going dell.

Are there any units here that standout from my filtered list in the first link for value/performance? Leaning towards the $988 Inspiron 14" Plus. Seems the more expensive XPS models all have NVIDIA graphics vs. intel, not sure that is necessary for my use.

Refurbished Business Laptops & 2-in-1s: Dell Outlet | Dell United States

For $1k, this seems to have pretty good performance?

Refurbished & Overstock Laptops, PCs, Monitors: Dell Outlet | Dell USA | Dell USA

Refurbished laptops, desktop gaming computers, monitors, docks & servers on the cheap from Dell Outlet. READY TO SHIP laptops for sale. Up to 30% savings.

outlet.us.dell.com

You HAVE to compare the specs, to the specs your software requires. And not just the "minimum" specs, the "preferred" specs.

What anyone else thinks (including me) is worthless.

I would definitely go with 11 Pro though on the OS.

 

[Fastech382]

Careful with the refurbished laptops. I bought a Dell inspiron i8 years ago. The track pad died on me within 3 months and it was a pain to get Best Buy to own up to it. I ended up using a mouse regardless, but when I traveled it was annoying.

I replaced the drivers after two years to get more performance and it was ok. But I switched to a Mac book pro last year and haven't looked back. It much smoother and faster while running a second display with a bazillion tabs open.

 

[evantwheeler]

It much smoother and faster while running a second display with a bazillion tabs open.

This is really the downfall of my current computer....google chrome seems to sucks all the memory if I have a few tabs open and it's painfully slow. It is also painfully slow opening and navigating large PDF files for plan takeoffs/estimating, it can take minutes to load a single page at times.....

 

[rivermobster]

This is really the downfall of my current computer....google chrome seems to sucks all the memory if I have a few tabs open and it's painfully slow. It is also painfully slow opening and navigating large PDF files for plan takeoffs/estimating, it can take minutes to load a single page at times.....

Comparing an 8 year old computer, the the Cheapest computer you could buy today, is not exactly a fair comparison.

The internal architecture and speeds are light years away from each other.

Everything should snap open today.

Example...

The hosting company I build my websites on is in Florida. I'm in SoCal. When I'm actively building a site, when I click on something to change it, there really is no delay at all.

I run dual 35" 4k screens and one 28" 4k screen. Everything I do is pretty much instant. And yes, I build my websites in with Chrome.

Anything you get will be a Huge upgrade, as long as you pick the correct video card for the software you want to run. This is the KEY component of your new system. Do NOT overlook it!

 

[rivermobster]

P. S. This docking station should work with any new laptop today.

Dell USB 3.0 Ultra HD/4K Triple Display Docking Station (D3100), Black https://a.co/d/3bmdlie

 

[evantwheeler]

P. S. This docking station should work with any new laptop today.

Dell USB 3.0 Ultra HD/4K Triple Display Docking Station (D3100), Black https://a.co/d/3bmdlie

I have this one in the cart.....

Dell Dual Charge Docking Station (HD22Q) - Laptop Docking Station | Dell USA

Shop the Dell Dual Charge Docking Station (HD22Q) with a wireless charging stand for Qi-enabled smartphone or earbuds, or view all Docking Stations at Dell.com.

www.dell.com

 

[evantwheeler]

Comparing an 8 year old computer, the the Cheapest computer you could buy today, is not exactly a fair comparison.

The internal architecture and speeds are light years away from each other.

Everything should snap open today.

Example...

The hosting company I build my websites on is in Florida. I'm in SoCal. When I'm actively building a site, when I click on something to change it, there really is no delay at all.

I run dual 35" 4k screens and one 28" 4k screen. Everything I do is pretty much instant. And yes, I build my websites in with Chrome.

Anything you get will be a Huge upgrade, as long as you pick the correct video card for the software you want to run. This is the KEY component of your new system. Do NOT overlook it!

Researching graphics now. Probably need to call Dell.....

 

[rivermobster]

Researching graphics now. Probably need to call Dell.....

Why?

Look at that link posted earlier. Everything you Need to know is there.

It's unlikely some level 1 support person, that is answering phones, will know the requirements the software you want to use requires.

It's homework time. Start writing Everything down.

 

[rivermobster]

Protip:

First find out what the video card requirements for best use. Then...

Go here...

Laptops & Notebook Computers: PC Laptops | Newegg

Shop laptops & notebooks at Newegg from top brands like ASUS, Lenovo, HP & more! Search by CPU, memory, screen size & more for your ideal device.

www.newegg.com

Click on "Filter"...

Filter by GPU/CPU....

Id also pick New, screen size and OS.

The CPU and RAM requirements will probably be more than you need, if you pick the correct video card to start with.

 

[Racey]

Thanks all. Will do some more research based on suggestions. Zero interest in an Apple product.

 

[evantwheeler]

Why?

Look at that link posted earlier. Everything you Need to know is there.

It's unlikely some level 1 support person, that is answering phones, will know the requirements the software you want to use requires.

It's homework time. Start writing Everything down.

Well I was today years old when I learned the difference of integrated or dedicated graphics, and that's more than I care to know about what happens inside a computer.

View attachment 1387557

What's up Alonzo!?!

 

[joecfd1]

Like the above comments, the fastest processor that's in your budget, mega ram, high end video card, solid state hd, etc. The new versions of Solidworks works will cripple a lower end computer, especially a laptop. I have a high end gaming laptop and it gets hot as hell.

 

[evantwheeler]

Like the above comments, the fastest processor that's in your budget, mega ram, high end video card, solid state hd, etc. The new versions of Solidworks works will cripple a lower end computer, especially a laptop. I have a high end gaming laptop and it gets hot as hell.

Boss said I could spend $5k if I wanted/needed. Given the fact I've gotten 5 years out of a $180 craigslist laptop, $5k seems a bit excessive. I hate spending money just for the sake of spending money. I guess I need to find an old version of solidworks that isn't such a resource hog.

Found a couple of gaming computers at Costco that seem to fit the bill for under $1500, but both have have Windows 11 home, not 11 pro. Not really thrilled about the LGBTQ+ colored keyboard lights either....

 

[Done-it-again]

You can pick hardware for laptops here.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

Boss said I could spend $5k if I wanted/needed. Given the fact I've gotten 5 years out of a $180 craigslist laptop, $5k seems a bit excessive. I hate spending money just for the sake of spending money. I guess I need to find an old version of solidworks that isn't such a resource hog.

Found a couple of gaming computers at Costco that seem to fit the bill for under $1500, but both have have Windows 11 home, not 11 pro. Not really thrilled about the LGBTQ+ colored keyboard lights either....

If you have $5k I would 100% just get a nice gaming laptop and be good for another 5 years.

Amazon.com

Legion Laptops & Desktops

Browse & save on the latest Lenovo Legion gaming laptops & desktop towers from Lenovo ✔️ Free shipping

www.lenovo.com

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

For $5k you could take any laptop model and max out every option , including the best support plan.

Max cpu, ram, graphics card, dual 4TB SSD, top end 4K ultra screen.

I’ve done it so I know.

 

[joecfd1]

Boss said I could spend $5k if I wanted/needed. Given the fact I've gotten 5 years out of a $180 craigslist laptop, $5k seems a bit excessive. I hate spending money just for the sake of spending money. I guess I need to find an old version of solidworks that isn't such a resource hog.

Found a couple of gaming computers at Costco that seem to fit the bill for under $1500, but both have have Windows 11 home, not 11 pro. Not really thrilled about the LGBTQ+ colored keyboard lights either....

Do you really need a laptop? You get waaay more for your $$$ with a desktop. I just looked up my laptop order from November of 2020 and it was $3800 back then. It is an Asus gaming laptop.

 

[jet496]

I like Lenovo's. We buy them left & right from Costco for work & they seem to be the best. We have an HP Envy which is pure shit. The drag feature for left clicking & dragging windows or scrolling down on a web page works less than 50% of the time, and it's just a dog

 

[evantwheeler]

For $5k you could take any laptop model and max out every option , including the best support plan.

Max cpu, ram, graphics card, dual 4TB SSD, top end 4K ultra screen.

I’ve done it so I know.

I know, but that's like buying a Porsche and only driving it in a straight line at 50mph. Its stupid and a waste of money. I'm not the government, I don't spend money just because I have an allowance.

 

[evantwheeler]

So the Alienware options are out, if I going 16" I want numeric keypad and it appears those only come on 18" Alien units. Narrows down to Lenovo Thinkpad or Legion. Is Windows 11 Home vs. Pro an actual deal breaker?

Here are the options from Costco, both units have 11 Home, a Legion 5i and Legion Pro 7i.

https://www.costco.com/CompareProductsDisplay?partNumbers=1835249,1735456

As far as I can tell, the extra $1k buys an additional 1TB HDD, and upgrades from Nvidia 4060 to 4080 graphics card. I'm leaning the cheaper 5i option between these two.

I can get nearly the same Legion 7i from Lenovo with 11 Pro for about the same price as Costco:

Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 Intel (16″) with RTX™ 4080

ww-single-model-gaming-laptops-default

www.lenovo.com

Or am I better off with a Thinkpad, with what I am assuming is a lower performing Graphics Card and screen, but upgrading to 64GB memory from 32?

ThinkPad P16v Gen 1 AMD (16") - Mobile Workstation

ww-single-model-think-workstations-thinkpadp-default

www.lenovo.com

 

[evantwheeler]

Do you really need a laptop? You get waaay more for your $$$ with a desktop. I just looked up my laptop order from November of 2020 and it was $3800 back then. It is an Asus gaming laptop.

Need, no. I do travel for work a bit, sometimes gone from the office for multiple months, so just prefer to have everything in one package.

 

[joecfd1]

Check out these at BH Photo.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/gaming-laptops/ci/24610?filters=fct_a_filter_by%3A03_INSTOCK%2Cfct_operating-system_970%3Awindows-11-pro%2Cfct_ram_965%3A32gb

 

[bowtiejunkie]

We're issued Dell Laritude 74xx series laptops at work. Along with a Dell Thunderbolt docking station (i dont travel with the docking station. Lightweight and durable. Used to travel a bit, not anymore, laptop holds up well. Probably around $2000-$2500 from Dell.com w/docking station. I'm reasonably sure there is minimal bloatware installed.

 

[C-2]

Big difference between a WORKSTATION and a "laptop." True workstation laptops are still 14". And for good reason. Ever try to lug a 18" rig around. If you need a bigger screen, an external monitor(s) will get you there. My State issued Del workstation laptop completely bricked itself with the latest Dell BIOS update. I shook my head every time I saw it updating. I was like "why?" But it was a solid rig, too. Until it wasn't.

Alienware's are just bad ass

But Lenovo ThinkPad's are also excellent rigs. Mine is 9-years old and still rips thru everything I need. So much so that I gave my Dell Workstation 3.3 twin Xeon, 48GB RAM rig a break for the past year. Plus, the Lenovo's are know for their nearly full sized keyboard and "real" keyboard keys.

Anything you buy today, labeled as a workstation, should be more than capable of anything you throw at it. Although somewhat outdated, it seems "Moore's Law" is making a comeback for its relevancy. https://ourworldindata.org/moores-law

Researching a new rig and then taking delivery of it is half the fun lol

 

[evantwheeler]

Sorry to keep beating the dead horse. Our IT guy is still no real help describing how one computer is better than another. I think I've narrowed it down to these two.

Thinkpad with 64 GB Ram, 1TB SSD, AMD processor, and NVIDIA RTX 2000 8 GB GPU

ThinkPad P16v Gen 1 AMD (16") - Mobile Workstation

ww-single-model-think-workstations-thinkpadp-default

www.lenovo.com

Legion with 32 GB Ram, 2 TB SSD, Intel processor, and NVIDIA RTX 4080 12GB GPU - the screen on this one seems to be upgraded for gaming compared to the above.

Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 Intel (16″) with RTX™ 4080

ww-single-model-gaming-laptops-default

www.lenovo.com

Which one do you choose for work. NO GAMING. I don't game.

The cheap ass in me really just wants to buy this Legion from Costco, I'm sure it will do what I need & more considering what I am getting by with right now:

https://www.costco.com/.product.4000270759.html

 

[C-2]

Nice choices!

The workstation for the win. The gaming version - not sure if it has the famous keyboard that Lenovo's are known for. And that funky direction key panel....

Then again, you could easily plug in an external keyboard (EagleTec makes an aluminum Cherry MX blue-key mechanical keyboard for less than $50....I have 4 of them. The blue-keys give you the audible clickity-clack and feel of the spring loaded OG keyboards, remember those?)

I mean on that Legion, you don't want your co-workers mocking you when they see the lighted keyboard changing colors and shiat....

 

[evantwheeler]

Nice choices!

The workstation for the win. The gaming version - not sure if it has the famous keyboard that Lenovo's are known for. And that funky direction key panel....

Then again, you could easily plug in an external keyboard (EagleTec makes an aluminum Cherry MX blue-key mechanical keyboard for less than $50....I have 4 of them. The blue-keys give you the audible clickity-clack and feel of the spring loaded OG keyboards, remember those?)

I mean on that Legion, you don't want your co-workers mocking you when they see the lighted keyboard changing colors and shiat....

I use a logitec USB keyboard for 99.9% of my typing. Trust me, when I came to the realization that a gaming unit was likely inevitable, I started googling how to get rid of the LMNOPQRSTUV+ keyboard backlighting, it looks like you can turn it off though....

Thanks for the help, I'll order the workstation unit.