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So after my thread the other week about picking up a portable monitor I've now decided to do what some suggested and pick up a laptop for work/travelling that has a bigger screen and just take that and manage with a single screen. Helped along by the fact my company wont allow me to install the device drivers to allow a simple usb c monitor to work!
Requirements - minimum of 15.6" screen, must have a full keyboard (with a numberpad).
Ideally - 16GB RAM, i7 or equivalent processor, decent lasting battery.
Budget - as close to £500 as possible, if more then a worthwhile more and buyable from somewhere that offers 0%.
It's just for work/going away to work as I have a macbook air that I use at home as soon as 5pm comes but I dont want to spend money on junk.
Current favourite is that option but because my mental health is suffering I'm spending ridiculous amounts of time just browsing and browsing paralysed by indecision and feeling overwhelmed so would appreciate any input or alternatives.
Are you looking at new only or considering second hand as well?
There are much more knowledgeable people on here than me but as a starter for ten I'd look for whatever Lenovo W or P series fits in your budget. I've got bargains in the past by targeting ones with a lower ram and a HDD then upgrading. Check how easy it is for a model your considering beforehand though.
One thing you can't change so easily is the graphics chip, do you need a dedicated graphics card or will the integrated graphics be good enough?
Second hand as well and have been scouring FB marketplace and ebay, yeah I was looking primarily at lenovo thinkpads and have then expanded outwards. Not so fussed about graphics, integrated will be fine as the system I use for work isn't pretty, think 80s atari style!
I'm confused - your work won't allow you to install drivers on a work computer for a monitor, but they will allow you to buy your own computer..?
Ignoring your question entirely, I bought an "Arzopa" portable monitor from amazon a few months ago. No drivers needed installed and was just plug and play. Think it was the 15" version and it within 10mm of the same outside dimensions of an a4 notebook and about 10mm thick. I would recommend.
For work, Lenovo, hands down.
That said, there's nowt particularly wrong with Asus.
If it's for work while away on presumably work trips, they should be funding it/have an IT dept that have some already built.
@scruff9252 is it usb c powered? so no power supply needed to run it? or mini hdmi with a power supply? I took a gamble with the asus as I'd read it wouldn't work without an install so knew it would be a risk.
No they're not work trips, I want to work in my van for a change of scenery and the 13 inch screen doesnt cut it. Work have sent me a 22" monitor to work from my desk and my excuse of 'I need a change of view' didn't cut it. I equally can't install flippin drivers for my MX master mouse either, stupidly strict rules!
@scruff9252 is it usb c powered? so no power supply needed to run it? or mini hdmi with a power supply? I took a gamble with the asus as I’d read it wouldn’t work without an install so knew it would be a risk.
Both.
It's got HDMI Mini port and 2x USBc ports.
It can either be ran as HDMI cable to the computer with a separate USBc power cable or only usbc for data and power.
It's this one; https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09TVVWFR9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
On the drivers thing,
You can't install drivers. Your IT department can. Is it not just a case of logging a support ticket?
Also,
Can you attach the MX as a Bluetooth device instead of using the dongle, perhaps?
I work for a cybersecurity company. I have a Logitech rodent with the Nano USB dongle. The dongle is in my desktop keyboard. I got my work laptop, it's properly locked down. I can't delete the shitty pointless shortcuts like Acrobat from the desktop. Yet I went "pair" and hit the button on the bottom of the mouse, it went "yeah, alright" and connected. Now I just hop between the two machines using the button.
@cougar nope I tried the asking somoene informally who worked in the IT department and then a formal ticket, both times told 'nope' even when I played the 'but I need it for my health' card. I've got the mouse connected fine but the additional buttons aren't properly programmable, I've found a portable version which works at least which I just run every morning along with my portable 'dont go to sleep' programme.
Takes me back a fair while (before I retired)..... my work laptops were always IBM Thinkpads (various models over the years), always faultless ... Yes, I worked for IBM.
@golfchick not sure about yours but my G700 has on board memory that can be programmed from another computer that let's you install the software, may be worth a look.
I'd also see if your work has a docking station in their catalogue, that would probably solve a lot of problems.
Lastly look into USB-PD, your 22" monitor should probably run off your on board battery with the right connection.
Does it need to be Windows? Otherwise stick with what you know (get a Mac)
I have for everything - Alienware Area 51M. Its a top for this money!
and RIDICULOUSLY over the stated budget so nope but thanks!
even when I played the ‘but I need it for my health’ card.
Well, that's a) stupid and b) discrimination. They should be providing you with the hardware, never mind the software.
even when I played the ‘but I need it for my health’ card.
Well, that’s a) stupid and b) discrimination. They should be providing you with the hardware, never mind the software.
Totally unacceptable IMO.
1. Have you had an occ health assessment? If not get one done and then they will have to install whatever is recommended.
2. What possible reason have they got for not installing mouse drivers other than their own incompetence? I work for an organisation that is Cyber Essentials Plus certified and my users can install mice drivers if they want to. It's just a question of the proper configuration being applied to the device to allow only certified drivers to be installed etc. Or if they are that draconian then they can install it for you with little or no fuss and with virtually zero security risk in a properly managed network.
Yeah that's very crap/backward for an IT department, I'd raise it with HR personally
Mac pro M2 for any cases.
I am also very conufsed about the work situation where you are having to buy your own laptop but its managed (badly!) by in house IT... does not sound right at all.
Regardles - a few back I got a samsung 17" screened laptop for a bit of home use - it was amazing how much more pleasant it was to use wit hthe big screen, big, full keyboard etc than the usual sized laptops.
All our work stuff is HP and mine has been very durable, had some right hammer as im out on the road a lot, as they say.
my biggest bugbear with larger laptops is the fact most of them use the keyboard/trackpad from a 13" laptop, shove a number pad on the side and then offset it from centre. offset keyboard I can cope with but offset trackpads are the devils work.
I am also very conufsed about the work situation where you are having to buy your own laptop but its managed (badly!) by in house IT… does not sound right at all.
I'm assuming the issue is that she wants to use her own hardware rather than has to. The drivers etc issue is with the work-supplied device.
There's a good point here though - if you buy your own laptop and then start tying it into Teams et al, they may have policies in place whereby handing over management control is a prerequisite.
offset keyboard I can cope with but offset trackpads are the devils work.
Trackpads are the devil's work generally.
There’s a good point here though – if you buy your own laptop and then start tying it into Teams et al, they may have policies in place whereby handing over management control is a prerequisite.
We use MS InTune for Mobile Device Management (MDM). It works well. ZScaler on the other hand 🤦🏻♂️
Yeah the IT department supplied me with a basic wired mouse, it's my choice to have a posh logitech wireless with 15 buttons and an almost infinite scroll and I'm not adding up the time saved each day just to justify it, as that would negate the time saving!
I wouldn't be using the trackpad on the laptop anyway and would take said mouse with me so no issues there!
Think I'll give the arzopa screen a chance to see if it can actually run over usb C, but I swear if it turns up and doesnt work there will be two portable screen type holes in my window!
For a 15inch work machine then nothing beats the Dell XPS range. Proper decent keyboard, a service manual that is excellent. Parts easily available on the likes of eBay for decent price! And the most important thing, built to be bashed about!
The Lenovo Thinkpad laptop that was forced upon me for work was a hateful thing with barely functional keyboard, mousepad or nipple and an aweful screen!