I’m looking to pick a laptop for my wife. This will solely be used for school and her work from home days. My wife is an RN and is going back to school online. She will also be doing chart reviews from home for the hospital ED admissions. The hospital requires these employees to have their own computer and they will load what is needed onto the computers. She will need to have multiple monitors attached. What specs should I be looking for? The current laptop we have is too slow and doesn’t have enough storage. I’m hoping not to spend a fortune. Thank you

Check out Lenovo-Thinkpad series ------they also have a scratch-n-dent site with very good deals

The Lenovo c740 15in has been a solid citizen for the money. If either of you have access to a workplace discount, you can really pick up a good deal.

Recommend Lenovo Thinkpad for business use laptops. For my money, I would go with something in their T series like a T4xx or a T14.

Two things to look for: USB-C docking and lots of RAM. 16gb minimally, 32 better.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
Recommend Lenovo Thinkpad for business use laptops. For my money, I would go with something in their T series like a T4xx or a T14.

Two things to look for: USB-C docking and lots of RAM. 16gb minimally, 32 better.

I'd do the factory store, scratch and dent if they still have one.
I have a t14 from a few years ago that was the first computer that was a huge step forward. No mechanical hard drive, all solid state. It's a hot rod and goes from off to ready in 14 seconds with a great screen too.
I'd buy another one tomorrow.

I am going to respond from a different aspect. When you buy a new laptop you get a ton of bloatware and programs that you never asked for, don't need, and generally slow everything down. It happened to me; it was so bad I promised myself never again.
The laptop I purchased was a high end HP laptop so I haven't need to replace it yet. It took me weeks to sort through and delete all the unwanted things.

When I do purchase another laptop, I promised myself the following:

1. If buying new (yes I know it might void the warrantee) I will immediately format the hard drive and install my own copy of Windows and Office along with the specific programs I want / need.
2. When it comes time again, I will probably buy a high end used laptop and do the same, upgrading the NVME and memory at the that time.

I have had it with all the major Manufactures and the pathetic marketing gimmicks they place on the computers.

I have a Lenovo/ThinkPad. I have zero complaints, but for cost/value I'd suggest Dell refurbished.

Dell business laptops are good and minimize the bloatware.

She needs portability for school, but not for the work at home job, correct? Will the laptop she has work for school? Plus she just use a mini desktop computer for the work at home?

I ask because hooking multiple monitors, a keyboard, a mouse, and a docking station up to a laptop takes up valuable real estate on your a desk and there’s a ton of wires. Plus, the Thunderbolt or USB-C docking station will cost between $100 and $250.

If you do need a new laptop, get one with a Thunderbolt 3 port. Not all USB-C ports on laptops support external displays, so if you skip the Thunderbolt 3 and opt. instead for USB-C make sure it actually supports external displays.

I like Dell Latitudes from the Dell Outlet laptops. All of the 35 of them I’ve bought in the last six years lasted at least 4 years and most have gone 6 years.

Before doing anything, ask the school/hospital what brands/models their IT department supports.

Buy from that list, if you don't want to be on your own when you need support.

Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga. I have the 390, but that's a year and a half old by now, so I'm sure there's a new model.

Great machine.

The laptop she is using now for school has been having problems and was a Black Friday special a few years ago. Probably should have passed on it. It’s my understanding that the hospital will be providing docking hardware and monitors if available.

Space isn’t really an issue. We have an extra room downstairs that is going to be converted to an office. It will accommodate both of us on the days we both work from home. I will be looking at the Lenovo and Dell’s from the outlet. Thanks for all the input.

Does it have to be a PC? The new M1 Macs are faster, quieter and have 4 times the battery life of PC's costing 2-3 times as much. Currently they are by FAR the best deal in laptops........

Thinkpad is good but you know, lenovo is China.

If you need function, almost anything will serve. If you want function and performance, the choices narrow down. If you want function, performance and reliability, I’d look at any enterprise level system from Dell. Upper end XPS or latitude. That’s it. No hp.

Only other consideration might be msft surface.

Get Intel 11th Gen core i5/i7.

Apple is good but limited multi monitor support. 11th Gen supports up to 4 I think. But you’ll need a docking station.

15" MacBook Pro