Trying to decide on a good work laptop

[dave2849]

In another month I will be graduating from college and I want to get a new laptop that I can use when I start working. I am not sure where I will be working exactly but it will probably be a general business or human resources job. I am not planning on crunching numbers or anything like that, I just need a general work laptop that I can travel with. I am not pursuing a career in my major so I might try to land a low level IT job as well but still not sure on that.

Basically, the most important features for me are less than 5 lbs., build quality, a good trackpad and keyboard, a dvd drive, being 14" or less and being reasonably fast for work related tasks. Build quality is especially important so that the laptop will last. I would prefer to spend in the $600-$800 range. I like the Lenovo laptops but feel their business laptops are too expensive and I don't want to opt for a cheap Lenovo consumer model.

What do you think would be the best option for me?

 

[sgrinavi]

If you're traveling for work then your job should furnish you with a lappy... Get a tablet for personal use.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

The Thinkpad T420 and T520 have high list prices, but they're almost always available at a discount or with a coupon. I bet you could customize a pretty nice one for $800.

Another option is a used Lenovo. I'm currently using a T60 that was made in 2007. I upgraded the CPU to a C2D, bought a new battery, added a 64GB SSD, and put in 3GB RAM. Net cost was around $500, performance is very good, it's built like a tank, and it has lovely retro aesthetics.

In another month I will be graduating from college and I want to get a new laptop that I can use when I start working. I am not sure where I will be working exactly but it will probably be a general business or human resources job. I am not planning on crunching numbers or anything like that, I just need a general work laptop that I can travel with. I am not pursuing a career in my major so I might try to land a low level IT job as well but still not sure on that.

Basically, the most important features for me are less than 5 lbs., build quality, a good trackpad and keyboard, a dvd drive, being 14" or less and being reasonably fast for work related tasks. Build quality is especially important so that the laptop will last. I would prefer to spend in the $600-$800 range. I like the Lenovo laptops but feel their business laptops are too expensive and I don't want to opt for a cheap Lenovo consumer model.

What do you think would be the best option for me?

 

[ChippyUK]

If you're traveling for work then your job should furnish you with a lappy... Get a tablet for personal use.

I have to agree with this statement. Within our company if your role fits a traveling worker, then you are provided with one. We state that you are not permitted to transfer any data onto a third party computer, personal email, usb, etc.

In other words you might want to secure your job before thinking about purchasing a personal laptop for it