The Serious Laptop Thread

[vwdan]

So, my 4+ years old EliteBook is starting to grind a little. It's got 8GB RAM and an SSD, but no matter which way you cut it it's a Core 2 Duo with a Vista badge on it! So, I'm looking to get myself a new bit of kit - I'm not at home enough to warrant having multiple devices, so I need a one size fits as much as possible device.

I've been really considering the ZBook 17 or the Dell Precision M6800. I really want something 17" because downsizing just doesn't seem right and I fancy the Quadro card for a bit of Premier Pro work.

Has anyone got either of the above? Any alternative recommendations I should know about?

Cheers,
Dan

[doodab]

The latest Lenono W540 & T540 only have a 15" screen but (as an option) with a 2880x1620 resolution. The W540 will support 32GB of RAM with a quad core processor as well. I can see why you'd rather have the extra 2" and a regular HD resolution though.

[dty]

Not quite within spec, but I've got an X1 Carbon (non-touch!) on order. Standard i5 processor (no need for mega CPU for nodejs/Java dev and JS front end stuff), upped to 8GB RAM and 256GB HD plus insane 2560x1440 screen - all for around £1100 + VAT.

[DimPrawn]

Not quite within spec, but I've got an X1 Carbon (non-touch!) on order. Standard i5 processor (no need for mega CPU for nodejs/Java dev and JS front end stuff), upped to 8GB RAM and 256GB HD plus insane 2560x1440 screen - all for around £1100 + VAT.

Not quite z book spec is it?

HP ZBook 17 Mobile Workstation - 1... | F0V45EA#ABU | £5,111.99 | Insight UK

[DimPrawn]

Cheap and cheerful option:

Asus Notebooks - Gaming Powerhouse - Asus G750JZ-T4056H-32GB Laptop - Asus Laptop - UK Best Deal Sale Laptops Buy Notebook Computer Discount UK - Buy On-Line Laptops and Accessories for Business and Home

[dty]

Not quite z book spec is it?

Indeed, as I said in the first 4 words of my reply.

The OP also asked for alternatives and I reckon this will cope with 99% of people's workloads for a fraction of the cost (and weight).

[vwdan]

Not quite z book spec is it?

HP ZBook 17 Mobile Workstation - 1... | F0V45EA#ABU | £5,111.99 | Insight UK

Haha, in fairness, you have picked the super high specced one. I'm hoping to pick something up for 1500-2000 refurbished. I need to do more reading on graphics cards, I think, though - I'm woefully lacking knowledge.

That Asus you posted actually looks like a nice bit of kit for the cash - but, as lame as it sounds, I like the "pro IT engineer" look of the others - the Asus is a bit "PC World", maybe. I know I shouldn't care, but people do pay attention to looks and I spend 99% of my life in the corporate world.

By the way, for anyone wondering why I'm willing to spend so much - firstly, I'm hoping it's going to last 3 - 4 years. £500 per annum for the tool that helps me earn every penny I bill doesn't seem bad. Secondly, I need something that'll let me do proper lab work such as virtualising a dozen servers and finally, I want something that can do some good quality video editing and hopefully anything else I feel the need to throw at it over the next few years.

[Scruff]

Virtualised servers better suited to a couple HP Microservers plus another as NAS device?

[MicrosoftBob]

Not quite z book spec is it?

HP ZBook 17 Mobile Workstation - 1... | F0V45EA#ABU | £5,111.99 | Insight UK

£6,134.39 and it doesn't even have a bluray player and is only 1080p that is pretty rubbish.

[doodab]

Virtualised servers better suited to a couple HP Microservers plus another as NAS device?

That's not a tremendously portable solution.