Recommendations for High End Workstation Laptop (Budget $3k)

Looking for recommendations on workstation laptops - prefer 14" but can do 15" if slim enough, I'm a sucker for an aluminium chassis. The basics include 32gb RAM (prefer prebuilt but can upgrade), i7 and preferably a gaming level GPU but that's very much a nice-to-have. Even though I'm predominately looking at Windows machines, I'd have considered a Mac if the new M1's were out in the larger machines.

Need to purchase this side of FY and budget circa 3k (cashback/gift cards are nice to have).

I know I can just go on to Mwave or similar and filter, but part of this is looking at people's experiences - as an example, my slim HP has been pretty good up until its battery degraded. My Gigabyte Aero however has been good as a gaming rig but not sure I'd trust its reliability working 8 to 10 hours a day, and whilst its slimish, it's a bit bulky for travel.

Comments

  • +1

    I would go with another HP commercial laptop if spending over $3K. HP commercial warranty is normally next day onsite service. Otherwise the lenovo commerical range is really nice as well.

    • Thanks, this along with another comment - HP and Lenovo might be the shortlist.

  • I'd just get an M1 Mac and be done with it. Will cost you half that. They are very powerful, even base models with 8gb ram.

    • RAM is a bit of a not-negotiable for me imply due to the software I work with. I do like the designs and I think the 14" will be 100% what I'm chasing but I sadly can't wait another few months.

    • Not a good fit as he wants gaming capabilities.

  • +1

    Thinkpad X1 Extreme Gen3 perhaps?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ2p3vkBvTE

    currently on EOFY sale for $2,299.00 + 5% cashback rate.

    It's a workstation laptop but also packing a GTX 1650 Ti and it's packed with lots of USB ports too.

    • +1

      I've not really though about the Thinkpads, mostly due to their ugliness (which I know is bad). But this does look pretty positive, thanks.

  • What exactly is your use case?

    • General all round, variety of software dev, graphics and a few other things. My machines always run a heavy load. I'm a sucker for a good form factor though, which is often contrary to a nice GPU.

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