$3000 laptop and I need to purchase 4 adapters...

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › $3000 laptop and I need to purchase 4 adapters...

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sparkz25

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#2234795 11-May-2019 01:57

I was considering purchasing a mac last year before I brought the HP Elitebook 840G5.

One of the main drivers aside from the windows only applications was the hardware expandability on the MacBook Pro, you can't just add more ram or replace the Harddrive with an off the shelf part now days no that is not possible.

You have to buy extra dongles for things like ethernet and HDMI, And hell if Apple really wanted to screw us they will probably make a lightning bolt 10 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter just to annoy us even more.

I ended up buying an HP Elitebook 840 G5 with a Next day on-site Warranty that is valid for 3 years for $1800, I didn't have to buy apple care to extend my warranty or have the problem of trying to find a repair shop if I need one that will most likely void any warranty on the mac book because HP come to me to fix my laptop with a service provider that they chose and they arrange the time date and location of the repair with me.

Best of all if the laptop needs to go away for further inspection I can just simply remove the drive and I will still retain all my data! (you just have to watch a few Louis Rossmann videos on youtube to see what I mean)

So for the $1800 I got a laptop that is small light and thin with 2 USB 3.0 type A ports, Ethernet, Headphone, HDMI and a Dock connector all built-in to the device, Oh and I can upgrade the ram and hard drive and add an LTE module which I have done all of those. You try that on the latest model MacBook and see how that goes!

nickb800

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#2234796 11-May-2019 05:11

I wonder if we'll see a return of this mechanism in slimline laptops - the popout ethernet port

sbiddle

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#2234827 11-May-2019 08:48

nickb800:

I wonder if we'll see a return of this mechanism in slimline laptops - the popout ethernet port

I don't think so - they break far too easily.

The simple reality is probably 90% of people would never use an Ethernet port these days. If you do there are still plenty of laptops that have them (like my Elitebook 830) in a thin laptop but in a expandable style connector that isn't so prone to breaking.

It comes down to doing research and buying a device that suits your requirements. If people need Ethernet they should buy something that has Ethernet ports. I'm sure nobody would go and buy a lowered sports car if they lived on a unsealed rural road fill of potholes because that would just be dumb!

geekiegeek

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#2234916 11-May-2019 11:28

Or replace your legacy devices with USB-C. I use a USB-C monitor that has USB-A ports, it powers my MacBook Pro as well so one cable. In saying that I can't remember the last time I used a USB-A device or an ethernet connection, Bluetooth mouse and keyboard plus AC wireless - why would I need to plug anything in???

gehenna

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#2234933 11-May-2019 12:28

Stu: All well and good sitting at a desk, but having to carry dongles and/or docks everywhere kind of put me off.

My dock is about the size of my external battery, so roughly same dimensions as my iPhone XS Max x2 thickness. It's got HDMI, USB-C, Ethernet, USB-A and a Thunderbolt port. These things aren't the old port replicators we used to know. Easier to carry one small USB-C dock than half a dozen dongles, if you're going to be carrying the dongles anyway.

Stu

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#2234959 11-May-2019 13:45

I've looked at some of those whilst looking at laptop options. They've certainly slimmed down quite a bit! The MBP port limitations were certainly not the primary deciding factor in my purchase, but did contribute.

I'm not anti Apple. My desktop is a Mac. The main reason for going with the Elitebook x360 1040 G5 was the 14" screen. Just that little bit extra for photo editing, without increasing the footprint too much. Milspec construction helped also, although I don't plan on dropping it!

I have it now and will set it up tonight.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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sqishy

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#2234974 11-May-2019 14:34

lxsw20:

Yeah this has been a thing since 2016, it's not new.

Personally I use one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071G83L1J?_encoding=UTF8&tag=ankerweb_usbchub-20 So 1 adapter for everything.

I can't believe this, above is all you needed. Good find, remember Steve Jobs once said thin and no fans is good !

Laptops have 2 options

i) Gaming - generally thicker, network port, graphics card, USB3 - issue low battery life

ii) Business - thin as possible, USB-C not standard, good battery life, use Wifi, no high end gaming

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Stu

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#2234978 11-May-2019 14:54

You forgot the cheap as chips, not likely to last more than a year or two, $499 or less option!

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

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noroad

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#2235052 11-May-2019 16:36

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XSC_UG5_kU

Just saying

sbiddle

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#2235088 11-May-2019 18:01

sqishy:

lxsw20:

Yeah this has been a thing since 2016, it's not new.

Personally I use one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071G83L1J?_encoding=UTF8&tag=ankerweb_usbchub-20 So 1 adapter for everything.

I can't believe this, above is all you needed. Good find, remember Steve Jobs once said thin and no fans is good !

Laptops have 2 options

i) Gaming - generally thicker, network port, graphics card, USB3 - issue low battery life

ii) Business - thin as possible, USB-C not standard, good battery life, use Wifi, no high end gaming

I'd disagree on the business laptops not having USB-C. USB-C ports are now standard on business laptops because it's become the norm for most docks.

One of my key requirements for my new laptop (which is an EliteBook) was USB-C charging so I can use my powerbank in an emergency.

sqishy

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#2235091 11-May-2019 18:07

sbiddle:

sqishy:

lxsw20:

Yeah this has been a thing since 2016, it's not new.

Personally I use one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071G83L1J?_encoding=UTF8&tag=ankerweb_usbchub-20 So 1 adapter for everything.

I can't believe this, above is all you needed. Good find, remember Steve Jobs once said thin and no fans is good !

Laptops have 2 options

i) Gaming - generally thicker, network port, graphics card, USB3 - issue low battery life

ii) Business - thin as possible, USB-C not standard, good battery life, use Wifi, no high end gaming

I'd disagree on the business laptops not having USB-C. USB-C ports are now standard on business laptops because it's become the norm for most docks.

One of my key requirements for my new laptop (which is an EliteBook) was USB-C charging so I can use my powerbank in an emergency.

I agree USB-C on business, but things like USB-C mice are hard to get. Most are normal USB unless you go blue tooth. I think tech will catch-up. USB-C is great !

Tracer

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#2235112 11-May-2019 19:20

USB-C is brilliant. The reason I am overdue to upgrade my workstation is because I still cannot buy a case with a decent amount of USB-C ports. I don't want USB-A on a new machine.

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