10 years as a Mac boy, need get a PC for work strictly to run some software with dongles etc
Not up to date with specs and brands but I'm looking to spend up to $1500
I’m guessing (can’t find the software specs) I'm after
Minimum 8GB RAM
i7 (wonder if I really need this?)
250GB HDD
Have you consider Lenovo Thinkpads?
Whatever you do be sure to cover the webcams up with dark tape
Funny you mentioned that, as I was walking through a Westfield shopping centre and noticed a HP laptop on their electronic billboards.
It highlighted the supposed "ridiculousness" of applying tape or other quick solutions to the webcam, which would then show a physical kill-switch as their main selling point.
I still think black duct tape would work just as well. Just slightly less stylish/ formal.
Chatswood?
I see people do this. Then I see that they forget all about the microphone.
Not worth spending extra for i7 when its essentially an i5 but with just slightly higher clock/turbo speed.
If you really got cash to blow and run applications that can only utilize one core, then go i7 (AutoCAD/Sketch Up are some apps that don't care if you got quad/hex CPU, it can only use ONE core).
Either way, I'd strongly recommend getting a AMD Ryzen 5 which is just as good - the ThinkPad E495 AMD system that Godric linked is one of OzBargain's popular choice :)
Rendering in AutoCAD is multithreaded.
What software are you running? It will make a massive difference in the spec requirement.
I assume work will be reimbursing the cost. If not, ask your employer about salary packaging it so you pay with pre tax dollars.
Lenovo X1, my long term preference for work, almost perfect business laptop
I'd look at buying a Dell Latitude 5xxx, or 7xxx (preferred) series.
13-14" FHD screen
16GB RAM (Ram is currently well priced)
NVMe SSD
3 Year Pro support NBD warranty
Example:
https://www.dell.com/en-au/outlet/ProductDescription?cfID=A6…
Factory refurbished units are as good as new. They 3 yrs Pro support is very good (NBD, onsite).
The software that’s run is called
WinOLS
ECMtitanium
These are tuning software for cars and
We run some hardware that’s attached to read and write
I just do admin stuff and one if the boys asked me to follow this up
Just want to make sure they are no buying something that is way over priced for the needs
The problem with the software is I can’t find the minimum/recommended specs anywhere even after emailing the supplier
We run some hardware that’s attached to read and write
I think that is the bit you might have to worry about; the interfaces that you connect the hardware to. Most modern laptop have just have USB ports but rarely a RS-232 serial port. It's an old connector type which has largely been made obsolete by the introdution of USB, but
it is still used by older measuring instruments and custom-built devices.
Some laptops will have a serial port included which removes the need to use a dongle or an adapter, but if you can't find one here is one from Adafruit. https://www.adafruit.com/product/18
The software you listed looks just like engine tuning / ECU management stuff which is pretty basic software that will run on pretty much everything, which is probably why they lack a minimum requirements page.
Worthwhile paying extra for a reliable unit. We use these to interface new laptops with aircraft systems without any issues.
COM port retention also work very well for locked down system, to ensure users can always utilise the same COM port #.
https://www.ple.com.au/Products/632003/Startech-USB-C-to-Ser…
https://www.dell.com/en-au/work/shop/startechcom-1-port-ftdi…
I imagine one of Lenovo's offerings would suit you,
Maybe this https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/515917