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Which Office Laptop should I get?

A

Atlasland

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 20, 2005
317
0
London, UK
I am about to start work at a new firm, having just graduated. The firm is an accountancy firm, and I'll be working in audit. There will probably be some travelling, though not much.

Anyway, I get the choice of one of 2 Laptops & one of 3 Laptop bags:

a1fq7.png


Anyway, I was looking for some advice. I have to pretty much decide by tomorrow.



Basically the difference between the two laptops is screen size. And that is usually important for me. I plumped for the 20" iMac, after all.

However I like the idea of better portablility. I hate big things, I like smaller dinkier things.

So, do you think the extra 2 inches of screen estate is worth it? Is the .5 kg difference in weight really going to make much difference.

Any advice, much appreciated.




N.B. I don't know who the manufacturer is. Unfortunately not Apple :rolleyes: Probably Dell :(
 
If it's any consolation, I'm pretty sure they're HP laptops. Whilst not Dell, it's pretty close! :p

As you don't specify what kind of auditing you are doing (small/large business), I would go for the lightweight. So even if you get a headache from working in XP all the time, you wont get a back ache lugging a larger laptop around.

You'll probably be working in excel and access quite a bit. Both the 12" and 14" there have XGA resolution, so it won't be as though you're getting more real-estate with the larger one.
 
wingsky said:
Both the 12" and 14" there have XGA resolution, so it won't be as though you're getting more real-estate with the larger one.
Click to expand...
wingsky makes, I think, the main point here. It's not the size of the screen so much as it is the resolution of the screen. If you're not getting anymore pixels, than you aren't going to be any more productive with the bigger laptop...unless you have an easier time seeing the screen or something. Go with the 12".

Regarding the bag...be professional and don't get the backpack. Go with either of the other two, although, I'd say the standard one would be fine.
 
wingsky said:
If it's any consolation, I'm pretty sure they're HP laptops. Whilst not Dell, it's pretty close! :p

As you don't specify what kind of auditing you are doing (small/large business), I would go for the lightweight. So even if you get a headache from working in XP all the time, you wont get a back ache lugging a larger laptop around.

You'll probably be working in excel and access quite a bit. Both the 12" and 14" there have XGA resolution, so it won't be as though you're getting more real-estate with the larger one.
Click to expand...

Where does it say both have XGA resolution, only one does, AFAIK.

Well, good luck. I'd work my butt off, and get a Macbook to replace that and just use Boot Camp with a huge hard drive. :)

To answer your question, the lightweight. :)
 
you're right benthewraith, only the 14" says it's XGA. However considering it's a smaller screen, and from HP, I think it's pretty much a given that it's going to be XGA..

I agree that it would be much nicer to carry round a macbook w/ bootcamp than one of those... the OP should check with his firm whether he is allowed to use his own equipment. I know at the place I work they're very strict on IT issues, and since he'll be doing auditing - carrying around client's financial/asset information I'd imagine they would want to ensure that it is kept on their own hardware alone.
 
wingsky said:
If it's any consolation, I'm pretty sure they're HP laptops.
Click to expand...

How can you tell? If you can see the logo on those pictures, you have bloody good eyesight!

wingsky said:
As you don't specify what kind of auditing you are doing (small/large business), I would go for the lightweight.
Click to expand...

It's large - Big 4 firm - how does that alter things? Most of my work will probably be in London (where I will be based).

wingsky said:
Both the 12" and 14" there have XGA resolution, so it won't be as though you're getting more real-estate with the larger one.
Click to expand...

Yes, if thats the case, then I would definately take the 12". How sure are you that those laptops would have the same resoloution.

benthewraith said:
Well, good luck. I'd work my butt off, and get a Macbook to replace that and just use Boot Camp with a huge hard drive. :)
Click to expand...

Wish I could - but as wingsky pointed out, it is unfortunately not an option.:(

tobefirst said:
Regarding the bag...be professional and don't get the backpack. Go with either of the other two, although, I'd say the standard one would be fine.
Click to expand...

I was tempted by the backpack, because I was thinking of buying a bag for office papers etc., so having 2 bags would be unwieldy. That's why I thought the rucksack. Also, it's the default choice of the firm - i.e. its kind of what they recommend.



Thanks for the replies so far - very useul. Especially the part about screen resoloution - would never have worked that out for myself.
 
IF you are going for portability get the 12" and the backpack, other wise I would go with the 12" and the middle carrying case if the case has a shoulder strap, if it does not get the backpack...
 
Atlasland said:
How can you tell? If you can see the logo on those pictures, you have bloody good eyesight!
Click to expand...

Ah... I got it wrong :eek: They aren't HP lappys, but Packard Bell, my bad!

I don't think you should go to with the rolling case, it gives off an air of pretentiousness, for example introducing yourself with your qualifications...

"Hi my name is Joe Bloggs FCMA BA MBA" :D
 
I'd go for the 14" laptop.

Yes, the resolution on both laptops is going to be the same, but the numbers on the 14" will appear larger, and if you need to stare at your screen and play with numbers all day, which is what I did on my 12" PB when analyzing my research data, then the larger screen will just make the text easier to see.
 
14". Your eyes will thank you later.

Backpack. Laptop-shaped cases are eyed more by thieves. Less chance of getting your equipment stolen.
 
If you're going to be traveling a lot, go with the lighter one.

We get audited a lot (various state insurance departments annually and accountants) and always supply them with nice 17" LCDs for their laptops.
 
When it comes to laptops for work i would always recommend buying a a smaller laptop, you want to carry something light around the office.
 
Well I decided to get the lightweight laptop with the rucksack bag.

Thanks everyone for your advice. Greatly appreciated.

Atlasland
 
Atlasland said:
Well I decided to get the lightweight laptop with the rucksack bag.

Thanks everyone for your advice. Greatly appreciated.

Atlasland
Click to expand...

I just bought a backpack for my latop and took it to a trip to London with me and i find them much more usefull then normals ones. The amount of stuff i can carry is scary.

Laptop, cleaing products, full size mouse, external HD (300GB), ipod and ipod accessories and more.

My 2 cents/
 
crazycat said:
I just bought a backpack for my latop and took it to a trip to London with me and i find them much more usefull then normals ones. The amount of stuff i can carry is scary.

Laptop, cleaing products, full size mouse, external HD (300GB), ipod and ipod accessories and more.

My 2 cents/
Click to expand...

I bought a laptop backpack. Much, MUCH safer than a case. ;)
 
That typeface...those laptops...those bags - they all look horriby familiar :eek:

I've got a funny feeling I might be seeing you around the office in the near future. :)
 
Kernow said:
That typeface...those laptops...those bags - they all look horriby familiar :eek:

I've got a funny feeling I might be seeing you around the office in the near future. :)
Click to expand...

Hmmm...

Are you an incoming graduate recruit, or somebody who is currently working there?

If its the latter - any tips/advice? Also, which laptop would you have recommended?
 
Atlasland said:
Hmmm...

Are you an incoming graduate recruit, or somebody who is currently working there?

If its the latter - any tips/advice? Also, which laptop would you have recommended?
Click to expand...

I've been there 5 years now, also in audit. Both of those laptops are better than the one I've got, which is a chunky Compaq thing. I would probably have gone for the standard as the screen on the lightweight one is smaller and darker, but to be honest there is not that much in it. You can normally get a 2nd screen for use in the office through IT services anyway.

If you've got any questions, just drop me a PM. :)
 
Ooooh ooooh, does this Big 4 accounting firm start with a "D", and rhyme with "Elloite"?? :p


And it is a big company, so there's a chance you may be working in different companies, no?
 
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