Desktop Replacement Laptop for Business Use

[babblemouth]

Have been trawling through online review sites and various laptop manufacturers sites but it's a complete minefield trying to decide which laptop would be best as a desktop replacement for business use, so hoping for some recommendations....

What I (think) i need:
17"+ Screen Size
8GB+ RAM
Fast processor (multi-tasking)
Doesn't need to be particularly lightweight as portability not essential
Doesn't need a seperate graphics card as wont be used for gaming , movies etc
Windows 7 Pro (still not convinced that Windows 8 is great for business use)
Budget £600-900

If anyone has time to either recommend a laptop, manufacturer or send me in the right direction for some advice it'd be much appreciated...

 

[KM-Tiger]

Why a laptop if it does not need to be portable?

And perhaps describe your use case a bit more. Personally I cannot work effectively with less than 2 x 24" screens, but it depends on exactly what you do each day.

 

[CaseyH]

As well as the above. What software do you need to use? How many applications at a time?

 

[babblemouth]

Basically our desktop (7+ years old) is now running the unsupported windows xp and is also getting slower and slower switching between different programs, so our thoughts were for a laptop instead of desktop.

We use all the main microsoft programs, run a small ecommerce site (desktop not cloud based or online), do our accounts, emails and use Paint Shop Pro and Fastone Resizer and manage the back office of our shop epos system.

 

[showusstyle]

How about getting a Mac mini or a imac

 

[techbat]

Toshiba Satellite S55-A5359 - Superb Build Quality, Feature Rich, Stylish & Tough enough for extensive utilization. It meets with your configuration as well. Should cost you under $800...

Toshiba Satellite S55-A5359

• Intel Core i7 4700MQ 2.4 GHz
• 8 GB RAM
• 1 TB Hard Disk
• 15.6-Inch Screen
• Windows 7 Professional
• 4 Hours Battery Life
• Harman Kardon Speakers

 

[Synology Hosting]

have you considered a Microsoft surface pro you could use a docking station to allow use with your main screen keyboard and mouse while having a second touch screen interface

 

[CaseyH]

If oyu get a Mac mini, you might not be able to run your EPOS system. Make sure all your software is compatibile with your new OS before upgrading. You'll probably have a better go of it. Don't forget, Windows 7 will have less support, and with 8.1 you can set it back to classic mode your not forced to use apps unless you want to do so. Failing that you can always install windows 7 over 8. You really want to invest some of that budget in a nice USB mouse or two though (wireless ones are more likely to go walkies.

These might do they are all argos product numbers (I can t pos tlinks all only have 8gb RAM though)
2395294
1464841
2627694

You might also want to look at one of these customised sites, probably the easiest way to get more than 8GB and your preferred OS, I know dell sell them, start with the lattitude and buy more ram with the extra budget.

 

[Sam Cowley]

Im confused as to why you are still wanting a laptop instead of a desktop? If the laptop is stationary surely it makes sense to get a desktop. A new laptop is going to slow down the same as a new desktop if they are similar. Plus desktops are much easier to replace parts or add parts so it would work out better.

 

[ServWise]

Okay so advantage of a laptop is portability, disadvantage is available spec and upgradability and if one thing goes pop like the screen then the whole thing normally needs to be sent back. A desktop will cost less for the same or better spec and probably last longer so if portability is not a big consideration then I would always go for a desktop over a laptop.

 

[DarrenMcCabe]

have you considered a Microsoft surface pro you could use a docking station to allow use with your main screen keyboard and mouse while having a second touch screen interface

This is what I use. I have a Surface Pro 2. A Startech USB 3.0 dock and a 24" monitor. works perfectly.

Without the dock and monitor the screen is a little small, but the Surface Pro 3 is a big improvement on that.

Definitely recommend if it's in your budget

(I even play the odd game it without any issues)

 

[Deggle]

I can recommend the Surface Pro 3 - it really is a great bit of kit. Probably best avoid the i3 processor version, but i5 of up should be good (mine is the top one). The down side is, they are expensive and you can get a similar powered laptop for half the price. What you get with the Surface is a tablet, laptop and desktop replacement - but if it's out of you budget there are plenty of other options.

 

[hamesy2o2]

I've used the HP ProBook 455 and a Lenovo T540 over the last couple of years and both have been fantastic. I upgraded the HDDs to SSDs which made them even better. They are both within your price range but lack the 17" screen. However you could always hook them up to an external monitor.

Although I can't comment as I've never owned one, Dell do the Inspiron 17 5000-Series laptop. Similar specs to the HP and Lenovo but has a 17" screen.

 

[lindacotal]

I think Intel Core i3 or core i5 will be best suited for your need
it can be either in DELL brand or in HP brand
both brands are very cool

 

[CaseyH]

One often overlookedadvantge of laptops is that they can deal with small power interruptions that would crash desktops allowing data to be safley saved prior to shuting down to save power. Of course UPS can serve this function on desktops.

 

[Spapro]

If it is a laptop you are after, I am a big fan of Toshibas - I have had several Satellite Pro's over the years and they have always served us well. PC world business is good for Windows 7 Pro laptops, also have purchased a number of laptops from laptopsdirect - they usually have a good range of Toshiba Satellite Pros running Windows 7 Pro and are usually a bit cheaper than PC world business. My current Tosiba I think came with Windows 8 and Windows 7 options - I think I selected Windows 7 pro when first starting up and am still running that.

 

[Philip Hoyle]

I'm a fan of Samsung laptops and have used them for years instead of desktops. Currently using two RV515s that are about 5 years old and were bought second hand for about £300 each. Use them daily for all the usual MS Office desktop apps, plus some databases, and several online accounting/tax programs. Works perfectly well with several programs open at once. Plenty of sockets for external mouse, keyboard and screens. My son occasionally uses one for his online gaming, such as Minecraft as it has a dedicated graphics card, not integrated like most laptops, so good for gaming too!

Four main reasons that I like to use laptops instead of desktops. Firstly the benefit of the battery which means I don't risk power fluctuations or power cuts causing loss of work or corruption. Secondly, the Samsung recovery/backup programs that come with them which mean I have plenty of easy and quick options re backing up and restoring to earlier versions or reverting to factory status - I tend to go back every couple of years to either factory status and re-install the software, or go back to previous point in time after software has been installed to get trid of the clutter etc. Third reason is portability - even though thery're sat on desks most of the time, it is handy to be able to move to a meeting room, or take to meetings with me, or take home to work, or even take on holiday - you can't do that with a desktop! Finally, they are a lot neater and take up less space than desktops.

Before the two current RV515s I had Samsung NC10s which were actually netbooks using XP - still going strong in my filing room as data archive machines and also occasionally for running old programs that won't run under Win7/8.

Previously I had a Dell Inspiron laptop which was awful. Hated it. Constantly crashing, painfully slow, had to send it back with a screen problem, and after a few months use, the keys starting falling off! Before that, around 2000, a HP laptop which overheated and melted. So I wouldn't touch Dell or HP again, but no problem whatsoever with Samsung!

 

[Philip Hoyle]

Duplicated