How to test laptops before making a purchasing decision

OCdude

OCdude

OCdude

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I may soon be in the situation where I need to decide what laptops our company moves over to. I've got a few different models in mind, but i'm not sure how i can easily "try before i buy".

Our company is only around 20 users, so i don't really have any bargaining power so to speak.

What's the usual way people get around this? IS it normal to simply buy a few different laptops then return them if they're not suitable?

Any suggestions appreciated!
 
Speak to your suppliers see if you can get some demo units, we are looking at getting some tablets into test

Kimbie
 
We ditched our last provider and don't have one at the moment. Just tried asking one ( ** no competitor hinting ** ) and they basically told me to take a hike :P

Are we allowed to recommend laptop suppliers on here? I'm thinking not :(
 
Do the purple shirts not sell them? Wander into the store and poke them with a stick?

Maybe let us know the models you are looking at and we might be able to give opinions on them etc?

Kimbie
 
Welllllll i'm looking at decent hard wearing 13" notebooks (for consultants who spent next to no time in the office).

Currently tossing up between the Lenovo X220 / Lenovo X1 or maybe a Dell Vostro 3350?

Unfortunately they're the models that i'll be less likely to find in most highstreet stores I think
 
Of those three the x220 is the obvious choice for your requirments. the X1 is pretty but I'd prefer to be giving consultants on the road something a bit more solid and the vostro is a nasty thing I wouldn't wish on anyone.
 
I have the vostro mentioned, it's rather good. I'd prefer a thinkpad, but for what it is, it's a tidy little laptop.

Try a smaller company than *****, someone who is less high street, more enterprise solutions. ****** have always been rather good to me, it's also worth just calling up, opening channels, get a meet and greet, explain yourself and your aims, and say you'd like to see what they have to offer.

** The mentioning of competitors is prohibited **
 
Ah, never thought about calling them direct. I assumed the wouldn't be interested in talking to a company our size!
 
I believe the 2540p been replaced with the 2560p which i do not think is a nicer model, just something about it that makes it look odd

Kimbie
 
You don't want a Vostro. They're nothing like the build quality of the Latitudes, and don't have docking ports. I'd say they're kind of a halfway-house between Dell's consumer rubbish and the proper Latitudes - though to give them credit they're a good bit cheaper.

If you have no bargaining power what would be cheapest would be to buy a refurb one on the Dell Outlet (usually about half price) and use that for demoing. Personally I don't like any of Dell's 13" laptops, but really like the Latitude E6420 (14" with the 1600x900 screen). Though if you stick the 9cell battery in them they're not very lightweight!
 
I have both x220 and x1 sitting on my desk so ask away. Lenovo do demo units but I am not sure they would sell direct to you through an account manager due to the volume, they would probably direct you to a reseller.
 
Yeah, Dell have already been poo-pood by the consultants lol, it was really thrown in as "another option".

X220 seems like the front runner at the moment - as for questions, I don't really have any as such, it's more that I need to physically have one to show the consultants.

I'll give Lenovo a call and see what they do, failing that i'll just go and buy one online and see how it goes ;)
 
Where are you based? I could possibly put you in touch with some Lenovo contacts, but they will potentially not be interested as before due to the volume.
 
the X220 is a solid choice, but 13" is a tad small for day-to-day road warrior use IMO.
 
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