Business laptop help

klbarnes

Hello

I am just about to start up a business and would like to buy a laptop for business use. I have been investigating what is on offer but am getting a bit confused by all the options.

I would like it to be able to cope with Excel, the internet and two items of desktop software (accountancy/tax packages) open at any one time.

I will probably be using it continuously for a big chunk of each day and will take it out occasionally. I also have a home desktop which I intend to use as and when required and a portable hard-drive to back everything up.

I am starting small and am happy to upgrade if things take off.

I have the following questions really:

1. Do I need a specific "business" laptop or would a non-business laptop do the job?

2. I have read that Windows 8 "is not good for business users" but can't seem to establish why. Should I go for Window 7 instead?

3. What sort of features would you recommend?

If any of you have any firm favourites to recommend then I would be happy to investigate them. Any advice at all would be great as I seem to be going round and round in circles.

bengalknights

Just go for a windos 7 machine with at least 4gb ram and it will work fine for whatever you throw at it (unless you do editing etc)

Kojak12

I have not used windows 8 - I use windows 7 for business and it has been great. In addition to the standard package you get from microsoft I use a few large complicated packages that I have installed and it deals with them fine.

What you should consider is the make of the machine that the windows will work on. Low spec and unreliable machines will cause you problems no matter what software you do or do not use.

From personal experience I know the Sony Vaio and Acer netbooks to be reliable and robust. I use the Sony in my home office and the Acer when I am travelling.

I would not advise buying too cheap now and then upgrading later - the transfer of all your software and files will be a real pain and you will have to learn how to use a new machine which is a waste of time.

To save money see if you can buy one that is a couple of years old. It will be fine for business use.

macman

Absolutely any modern laptop will do those basic tasks with ease. Unless you're going to be lugging it around much then you don't need a business grade machine or a lightweight Ultrabook.
If you don't like W8 then just put Classic Shell on it to simulate W7.
Probably the most important thing to do for your business is to put in place a proper backup regime.

Johnmcl7

One option business machines normally offer (although it's often available on home machines as well ) is next business day onsite warranties which means if your machine fails, the company will send an engineer out to fix it the next business day. Normal computer warranties tend to be return to base which means when it needs repaired you send it back to the company then wait for them to fix it and send it back to you.

If you have a spare machine then an on site warranty may not be worth it but it's something to consider.

John

klbarnes

Thank you so much for all your advice, it has been really useful.

Just wanted to ask one more question about processors - do I need an i5 processor or would an i3 also do a decent job? I had an initial look around a couple of stores and got collared by a sales assistant in one. He told me I definitely needed an i5 but i'm not sure if this is just sales patter and don't want to buy something I don't need?

NiftyDigits

klbarnes wrote: »

Thank you so much for all your advice, it has been really useful.

Just wanted to ask one more question about processors - do I need an i5 processor or would an i3 also do a decent job? I had an initial look around a couple of stores and got collared by a sales assistant in one. He told me I definitely needed an i5 but i'm not sure if this is just sales patter and don't want to buy something I don't need?

Do not buy anything on the say so of a salesman. Either will do the job. More useful would be to remove the mostly useless software bundled with consumer laptops.

Cisco001

Any modern laptop would work. Even with intel pentium.

i3 should be enough, i5 is bonus.
You can consider 14" if you want it small. However, I would suggest go for 15.6" if you use excel a lot.

For 14", Dell Vostro 3460 for £349 + VAT seems to be good value
http://www.dell.com/uk/business/p/vostro-3460/pd#overrides=

Pinkypants

If for business, please buy an external hard drive so you can back up! But also learn how to use a back up programme and use it often. All your business data on one laptop, one drop from a height and it may be !!!!!!ed.

Best still buy two and do a weekly/monthly back up and take it off site after backing up.

Weird_Nev

Pretty much any laptop will do what you need, form £400 and up.
I'd specify:
Windows 7 (8 is still a bit "raw" and entertainment focussed)
i5 processor just for a bit of future proofing
4Gb Ram (8Gb as a bonus) and
As big a hard drive as you can get - 500gb minimum, 750Gb Nicer.

The one vital purchase would be next day business warranty for 3 years to protect your data and your business. Worth the money when it's your livelyhood.