Business Laptop: HP Elite Book and Dell Latitude

[def_now]

I am choosing between a HP Elite Book and Dell Latitude laptop for a 2011/2012 refurbished laptop.

In term of durability and reliability, which brand would be safer?

Comparing Elite Book and Latitude design, which one is more likely to be designed for easier RAM/SSD upgrade?

Are replacement parts generally cheaper or more widely available for HP Elite Book or Dell Latitude?

 

[RossMAN]

It sounds like you've already found two specific laptops in mind? If you have, can you post HP/Dell model numbers, specs, prices and condition (used, pristine, like new, etc.), and source eBay/Craigslist/BestBuy (no need to post links)? Are you in the USA/Canada or international?

Based on personal experience with business laptops I would buy Dell Latitude or Lenovo Thinkpad T/W/X before an HP EliteBook.

Of course each of those brands/models have their crappy laptops. If you don't have specific laptops in mind, what specs/prices/needs are you considering? Screen size? Do you value power or portability? Battery life? How about backlit keyboard? Do you value solid build quality? Is 24/7 North American based support important?

 

[def_now]

It sounds like you've already found two specific laptops in mind? If you have, can you post HP/Dell model numbers, specs, prices and condition (used, pristine, like new, etc.), and source eBay/Craigslist/BestBuy (no need to post links)? Are you in the USA/Canada or international?

Based on personal experience with business laptops I would buy Dell Latitude or Lenovo Thinkpad T/W/X before an HP EliteBook.

Of course each of those brands/models have their crappy laptops. If you don't have specific laptops in mind, what specs/prices/needs are you considering? Screen size? Do you value power or portability? Battery life? How about backlit keyboard? Do you value solid build quality? Is 24/7 North American based support important?

I am deciding between a refurbished 2011 HP EliteBook 2560p and Dell Latitude E6220. Both are similar in configuration: Intel Core i5-2520M, 12.5" 1366x768 matt display, 4 GB DDR3 RAM, 250 GB HDD. I can get them for around US$200, as a backup machine for use on-the-go.

So I do wonder how HP EliteBook and Dell Latitude compares in term of reliability. The shop is giving me only a 1 month warranty and if anything fails after 30 days, it's my own problem which I have to fix out of my own pocket. Supposedly, the shop would check the laptop and ensure it is 100% working before reselling it to me.

 

[corkyg]

In that case, I would choose the Dell.

 

[def_now]

In that case, I would choose the Dell.

Any particular reason why? Dell has a reputation for making longer lasting machines? I know HP has quite a fair number of complaints for its consumer devices, but I am not sure about the business EliteBook and ProBook series though.

 

[corkyg]

For me, in terms of reliability, Dell Latitude is right up there with Lenovo T series, and it has a point eraser head in the keyboard in addition to the touchpad. HP does not. Simply my preference.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Important to keep in mind that buying a 6 year old laptop is much like buying a 15 year old car. At that age, what matters most is how well it was treated / maintained, not what brand it is. Any brand could have seen heavy abuse in that much time. Look closely at the pictures, and the place you're purchasing from. Chances are, for the price you're paying, and the items you're indicating, these are third party refurbished units. Read and see if they have a higher list of one company's products on their site over another. It's a good indication that they specialize in that brand.

See what sort of warranty they offer, and see if they put in any dodgy language for non-covered items (stuck keys, bad pixels, poorly performing battery).

Otherwise, you have the option of 2 relatively well built laptops. Like @corkyg noted, the point eraser trackpoint on the Dell would give it the nod for me, as well as the more extensive use of soft-touch materials, vs. the aluminum of the HP Elitebook. really, both are fine machines though, assuming they were treated well.