What are you using for a work device/laptop?

Automatik Senior Member

15,737 posts 98 reps Joined Nov 2009

Wed, Jan 31, 2024 2:03 PM

I have a less than year old MB Air M2. New job is BYOD and I'd prefer to keep personal and work separate.

They run on Microsoft 365 / One Drive so I'm going PC. I prefer Windows excel anyway.

What's everyone using? I want as light and powerful as possible and it will be docked for the most part.

Short list is:

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3 13"

Surface Pro 9 (or 10 if it comes out in the next few months)

Dell XPS 13"

The Surface Pro is currently in the lead, but once it's spec'd to my liking and factoring accessories, the price is adding up quick!

Also want a docking setup that will work both on Windows and Mac. So far this looks good, but I need to research more.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/surface-thunderbolt-4-dock/8x7cgh1n2tb2?activetab=pivot:overviewtab

justincredible Honorable Admin

37,969 posts 250 reps Joined Nov 2009

Wed, Jan 31, 2024 2:07 PM

Macbook Pro M2. Hope this helps.

Automatik Senior Member

15,737 posts 98 reps Joined Nov 2009

Wed, Jan 31, 2024 2:16 PM

My previous work computer was a 2021ish MBP. Kicked ass, but I carry two computers regularly. It would be overkill.

I am a little salty that the Air doesn't support two monitors, but I manage.

justincredible Honorable Admin

37,969 posts 250 reps Joined Nov 2009

Wed, Jan 31, 2024 2:23 PM

I did recently go from a 16" Intel MBP to the 14" M2 MBP. I didn't think I'd like the drop in screen size but I'm definitely used to it now, and actually when I have to get back on the old one (still have some old projects on there that are too big of a pain to move to the new machine) it just seems aggressively big. And the computer is just slow as shit at this point (I think due to corporate software).

The newer M2 clears it in every single category.

justincredible Honorable Admin

37,969 posts 250 reps Joined Nov 2009

Wed, Jan 31, 2024 2:24 PM

And I liked the M2 so much I bought myself a 14" M3 MBP. So now I have 4 MBPs in my house (I still have an old one from like 2014).

brutus161 The Navy Guy

1,688 posts 25 reps Joined Nov 2009

Wed, Jan 31, 2024 2:49 PM

Lenovo P15s Gen 2 Thinkpad

Laley23 GOAT

33,369 posts 133 reps Joined Nov 2009

Wed, Jan 31, 2024 2:49 PM

Dell Latitude 5520:

Win10 64-Bit
16GB Ram
11th Gen Intel Core -- 2.60 GHz
500 GB (only 474, in reality)

Its a very nice, relatively lightweight laptop. It supports plenty of monitors (I have laptop + 3 external). But it is not nearly powerful enough to run our company apps, which I need to test and approve before they hit the airwaves. So I have to resort to TightVNC, Bomgar or TeamViewer to do that portion of job on the QA machines in Durham, NC. Needs more RAM and more HD space. And could use a better GFX Card and more nic ports. But these are all company problems.

Ironman92 Administrator

56,729 posts 168 reps Joined Nov 2009

Wed, Jan 31, 2024 3:56 PM

Texas Instrument Word Processor

j_crazy 7 gram rocks. how i roll.

8,623 posts 30 reps Joined Nov 2009

Wed, Jan 31, 2024 4:18 PM

Desktop -

Dell Precision 3360

Win10 64 bit

64 GB RAM

12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900K 3.2GHz

iPad Pro 12.9inch 2nd Gen for presentations and conference room controls and some remote app utilization on site

Laptop for remote work/travel -

will look when i get home but it's a Dell

MontyBrunswick Senior Member

1,065 posts 17 reps Joined Mar 2015

Wed, Jan 31, 2024 9:17 PM

posted by Automatik
I have a less than year old MB Air M2. New job is BYOD and I'd prefer to keep personal and work separate.
They run on Microsoft 365 / One Drive so I'm going PC. I prefer Windows excel anyway.

What's everyone using? I want as light and powerful as possible and it will be docked for the most part.

Short list is:
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3 13"
Surface Pro 9 (or 10 if it comes out in the next few months)
Dell XPS 13"

The Surface Pro is currently in the lead, but once it's spec'd to my liking and factoring accessories, the price is adding up quick!
Also want a docking setup that will work both on Windows and Mac. So far this looks good, but I need to research more.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/surface-thunderbolt-4-dock/8x7cgh1n2tb2?activetab=pivot:overviewtab

i've had two thinkpads and i'd buy another one if i had to.

my work-provided laptop is an hp zbook. its... fine. i'd rather have a thinkpad

gut Senior Member

18,369 posts 117 reps Joined Nov 2009

Fri, Feb 2, 2024 3:45 PM

I have a framework laptop. If you get the mid-tier CPU (like core i5, but the new AMD are better, especially on battery life), you get a machine very comparable to Dell for hundreds less if you buy your own SSD and RAM.

Super easy to install SSD and RAM. Not sure how great the upgradeability really is, but you can at least buy and easily DYI common components that go bad. If you have an old windows license laying around, or comfortable with Linux, you save another $100-$200.

The screen aspect ratio is a love/hate thing for people. It's closer to 4:3, which is great for productivity but less optimal for videos/movies.

FYI, I've had several Dells and almost all of them crap out after 2-3 years. To be fair, I travel a lot and am pretty hard on my laptops. But the Dell durability is shit. As much as I love the form factor, I would probably never buy another Dell. Have had much better luck with Lenovo (have owned several laptops of each brand).

kizer permanente Senior Member

1,309 posts 18 reps Joined Aug 2017

Tue, Feb 6, 2024 3:23 PM

My company switched from Thinkpads to HP’s… I’d imagine to save money, and they’re garbage.

Automatik Senior Member

15,737 posts 98 reps Joined Nov 2009

Tue, Feb 6, 2024 3:35 PM

I believe HP's vary wildy based on model and how they're spec'd. I've heard good things about the Envy. I had a random budget HP 2 jobs ago and it went to shit after 18 months.

I think the same for ThinkPad's. My GF has a brand new 14" and it's incredibly slow and it was supplied by an engineering firm for CAD and Revit use. The heat and noise it's puts off is ridiculous.

I'm still aiming for a Surface Pro. I'm buying all the other work setup shit first and the laptop will be last. Currently need a desk, mouse and dock. Then hoping for a Surface 9 price drop or release of the 10.

kizer permanente Senior Member

1,309 posts 18 reps Joined Aug 2017

Wed, Feb 7, 2024 4:01 PM

This is the zbook and it’s trash.

Automatik Senior Member

15,737 posts 98 reps Joined Nov 2009

Tue, Mar 26, 2024 12:55 PM

Decision made!

Preordered the new MS Surface Pro 10 for business.

Surface Pro 10 for Business - Black, Intel® Core™

Ultra 7 Processor 165U, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD

MS nerds are pissed about the bezels, but I'm not really concerned with that.

What are you using for a work device/laptop?

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