Business Laptops for Mechanics

G28Br

Budget: Max €500 each

Intended use: For mechanics use with machinery, vehicles etc.

Mobility: Important, a 14" screen is desired.

Warranty: Standard is fine.

What Operating System do you use? Must be Windows 7/8/8.1. Windows 10 is not supported with our software.

Other Requirements: According to the software we use these need to have 8GB RAM Minimum, Core i3 Processor or equivalent, at least 500GB HDD and Bluetooth connectivity with WIDCOMM drivers.

Advice appreciated. Thanks!

Alanstrainor

Getting a laptop without Windows 10 is going to be the biggest issue here I reckon. You will also have to be careful to configure any Windows 8.1 or 7 device to not auto update, in case Windows 10 decides to install itself on these systems.

timmyntc

I'd recommend a second hand business class laptop for sub 500, most refurbished dell latitudes or lenovo thinkpads have i3/i5s, upgradable RAM, and the majority run Win7.

Atlantic Dawn

Panasonic Toughbooks would be good around a workshop but your not going to get one with 8GB of RAM for €500.

You may struggle to get a non Windows 10 laptop without going direct through a manufacturer, as far as I know all retailers now stock Windows 10 only.

Alanstrainor

Dell still sell new laptops with 7 if you buy them through their business portal. I'm not certain this link will work, but:

http://www.dell.com/ie/business/p/latitude-e5470-laptop/pd?oc=s009le5470u14ukie&model_id=latitude-e5470-laptop

It's a Latitude e5470, with only 4GB of RAM for 649exVAT. I know it is over budget, but given it's use and that it comes with Windows 7, it could be worth saving for. Adding the additional 4GB RAM yourself is an option if cost saving is needed.

G28Br

Is it not true that you can downgrade a Win 10 laptop to 7 or 8 by grabbing the license key and then installing 7/8?

Alanstrainor

G28Br wrote: »

Is it not true that you can downgrade a Win 10 laptop to 7 or 8 by grabbing the license key and then installing 7/8?

No. At least I've never heard of such an option. It wouldn't make sense that Microsoft would make it easy to downgrade OS.

n1ck

You have the option of 8 and 8.1 on pcspecialist.

ED E

G28Br wrote: »

Is it not true that you can downgrade a Win 10 laptop to 7 or 8 by grabbing the license key and then installing 7/8?

Only if it came from 7 or 8, straight OEM 10 nope.


Most i3 skews won't have 8GB, its like give me the 1L engine but alloy wheels and leather trim, not a common combo. Call Dell business and ask them if they can tweak a run for you. If you're buying 10+ they may play ball.

Alanstrainor

ED E wrote: »

Only if it came from 7 or 8, straight OEM 10 nope.


Most i3 skews won't have 8GB, its like give me the 1L engine but alloy wheels and leather trim, not a common combo. Call Dell business and ask them if they can tweak a run for you. If you're buying 10+ they may play ball.

You can order the i3 model with 8GB of RAM through the dell business site linked above. Noting too mad clicking the customise button and selecting 8GB instead of 4GB... And Windows 7 Pro is still an option on those boxes.

G28Br

The cheapest Dell that matches all the specs I need is the Latitude 3470, €792 delivered, which is too expensive for us.

How difficult would it be to replace/upgrade the RAM in the Vostro 3558 after purchase? It matches most of the specs except the 4GB RAM and is just under €400 delivered. Can't imagine a replacement stick of RAM would be too expensive..

Alanstrainor

It seems that Vostro has two RAM slots. It would be very easy to replace:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42vuK9dlxyY

I'd consider the latitude I linked above, it would be the better machine, and not a ridiculous amount over budget if you upgrade your own RAM. Those Vostros are fine, but I'd be worried that their cheap components could let you down sooner than you'd like.

mordeith

I've used older Vostros with Windows 7 and they were awful yokes. Might be better with the additional 4GB but the build quality was poor (very plasticky)

G28Br

Alanstrainor wrote: »

It seems that Vostro has two RAM slots. It would be very easy to replace:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42vuK9dlxyY

I'd consider the latitude I linked above, it would be the better machine, and not a ridiculous amount over budget if you upgrade your own RAM. Those Vostros are fine, but I'd be worried that their cheap components could let you down sooner than you'd like.

Thanks for the suggestions.. I think the machine you linked is probably too pricey for us and I'm not sure if the manager will sign off on it. What would be your opinion on the Latitude 3460? All the specs are suitable bar the 4GB RAM which should be relatively easy and inexpensive to replace after purchase I think? It's €449 excl. VAT delivered which to me seems a decent price...

ED E

mordeith wrote: »

I've used older Vostros with Windows 7 and they were awful yokes. Might be better with the additional 4GB but the build quality was poor (very plasticky)

They feel cheap but they're tanks. Take a heap of abuse (I had a 1000, the original model).

FortySeven

G28Br wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions.. I think the machine you linked is probably too pricey for us and I'm not sure if the manager will sign off on it. What would be your opinion on the Latitude 3460? All the specs are suitable bar the 4GB RAM which should be relatively easy and inexpensive to replace after purchase I think? It's €449 excl. VAT delivered which to me seems a decent price...

If you are getting it with win 7 and only 4gb ram there is a chance it will be 32bit os. Adding new ram will not be recognised and you would need to move to 64bit os. Not the end of the world but something you should be aware of.

FortySeven

Also. Vostro may be robust for office use but in a service environment it is going to get broken fairly quickly. I work in a large service dept and am constantly repairing rugged laptops. A vostri would be a curse if I'm honest.
Usb ports take massive abuse, on Panasonic toighbooks there is a threaded extension to protect from damage. Most diagnostic cables are heavy duty and robust and the laptop will get manhandled in and out of cars with cable attached. Any Knocks are catastrophic to usb ports and will render the laptop useless in no time.

Some machines have the ports on a daughter board rather than mounted on the motherboard so they are relatively easy to replace. There are only so many times you can solder new ports onto a motherboard before you need a new one.