New work laptop

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blackjack17

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#100321 9-Apr-2012 09:18

Hi all

Looks like my partner going to need a new work laptop her current is Hp elite book

The main useage is office, vpn connections and web meetings, and general internet tasks

The main programs which will be running are office (including very large word files and access databases), webex, pdf pro, skype, ibeam

long battery life (8hrs ish)
light
non-gaming
fast (but not ridiculous)
reliable and robust
Good mic
docking station
looks professional for client meetings

As you can see she isn't a power user but it has to be snappy and problem free.

Not sure of budgets but the less she have to spend would be better.

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billgates

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#606968 9-Apr-2012 09:30

Dell E6220 is light weight, decent battery life and has docking station option. If you need 8 hours battery life then you will have to go for an Ultrabook like Asus Zenbook , Dell XPS 13 or HP Folio.

Do whatever you want to do man.

blackjack17

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#606987 9-Apr-2012 10:18

sorry the current laptop is a HP Elitebook 2530p

The reason for the long battery life is that the current one has 8hrs+ (well did at new) and she does quite a bit of flying and not all planes have a powerpoint

The ultrabooks seem a little lacking in ports ie Ethernet, few usb ports and lack optical drives

I am looking into the dells now

Cheers and any other suggestions?

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grudge

266 posts

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#606990 9-Apr-2012 10:21

I have a Lenovo X220 with a 9 cell battery, and I think it covers all your requirements quite well. It's small (12.5" screen, and you can pay extra to get an IPS panel which is great), it has a professional look and a rubberized exterior.
Lenovo also seem to have sales quite often so you can get it at a discounted price.

Phexx

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#607005 9-Apr-2012 11:06

I believe the lenovo x line can be paired with an extended battery, and a slate to give you over 15 hours battery life.

Definitely look into lenovo, they look professional, and are built like a tank so should last your partner a long time.

billgates

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#607007 9-Apr-2012 11:14

+1 for Lenovo X220 as well.

Do whatever you want to do man.

macuser

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#607014 9-Apr-2012 11:46

Macbook Pro 15 " would also work great?

It also doesn't have a docking station, but you can make that work with a USB hub?

Depends if they like the Lenovo feel.

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

grudge

266 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#607015 9-Apr-2012 12:13

Phexx: I believe the lenovo x line can be paired with an extended battery, and a slate to give you over 15 hours battery life.

Definitely look into lenovo, they look professional, and are built like a tank so should last your partner a long time.

You are right there's a "Slice" that connects to the bottom of your laptop and it gives you another 6 cells of power, so you'd have a total of 15 cells, which would work for about 15 hours depending on the type of usage.
It looks like this : http://shop.lenovo.com/us/p-0a36280-4.shtml

blackjack17

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#607042 9-Apr-2012 13:45

The Lenovo X220 does look like it is a great choice (she might be a concerned about the style it looks like it is from the 90s!).

Plus they have a 30% off easter sale at the moment

And to mac user a mac book is out of the question the rest of her office in Belgium and the states use windows so there would be no support from there and I (her unpaid IT support) have no idea nor interest to learn the mac os

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blackjack17

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#607280 10-Apr-2012 09:13

So here is the laptop that we got more or less for NZ $1667 (excluding gst)

cheers everyone

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