What laptops do you use!

[benward1]

I am managing a mainly Windows-based network and have been using an M1 MacBook Pro for a while. What laptops are other Network Managers / Technicians preferences? Any decent Windows recommendations? 

 

I love the battery life and efficiency but regular remote sessions and remoting into RSAT etc largely defeats the point of using the Mac as the main machine. 

[DrCheese]

M2 Pro Macbook pro.

 

Yes, use it to remote into windows devices from time to time, but I can't bare using Windows laptops anymore with the rubbish battery life & lack of instant wakeup. Went through loads over the years & nothing comes close to the M series Mac's

[TheHyperTechie]

I use an M3 Macbook Air. I love it, it's portable, super quick, and the battery life is just another level. I know it will be also be supported for a long time, considering the M1 air was released in 2020 and still receives updates. 

 

I mainly opted for mac as well as we have loads of iPads, so I can just use AC2 easily for restoring etc. Also iMovie is very useful!

[Cat_Jam148]

M2 Macbook pro here & and a mac mini as my desktop.

 

I've always felt they are the best machines when managing a Windows domain. As said above, I just remote into another windows device if needed. 

 

Reliable, excellent battery life etc....

 

 

[2ilent8cho]

I'm on a 2019 MacBook Pro (16", i9). Will upgrade to an M5 MacBook in the next year as it won't support past macOS 26. 

[Andycat]

Workstation at work is Windows, but also use a Mac mini. At home or laptop, yep, M4 Macbook Pro

[Rob_D]

Just to balance out the flood of Mac suggestions 😁

 

I've been using Dell XPS and Surface laptops for the last 12 years or so (my old 2014 XPS only got replaced as it was too old for windows 11, it still runs great. And the Snapdragon Surface genuinely goes 10-12 hours between charges when used for regular web/office stuff). I'd very much recommend either of them as "Mac replacement", especially if you have Mac Pro money and can get a higher spec model. If it matters to you at all, the mid/high range Dells have really nice screens.

[DalekSec]

Work laptop: M4 MacBook Pro 14" (IT Manager)
Home Laptop: M4 MacBook Pro 14" (I have the same laptop at work and home, yes i've accidentally taken the wrong one once)

Techs use Lenovo T14s (same as our fleet)

[jthompson]

At work I use a vanilla Windows AIO PC, with an average Latitude laptop (Windows) stashed at home for whenever I might need to do any work remotely. There's some value in dogfooding, I think.

 

For personal use, I have an entry-level M2 MacBook Air. I much prefer MacOS for personal stuff (smoother UI, touchpad, etc.) and love the hardware, especially the fanlessness.

[synaesthesia]

HP elitebook here. Given a choice between the two, I'd buy a Dynabook DfE Special over anything Apple branded - that's the engineer in me.

If I had carte-blance though, it'd be a framework device as there's not really much else out there that tickles the fancy any more. Give me a decent old Thinkpad any day. (My home laptop is an x240, awesome little beast but the battery lasts about 10 minutes )

[Olliedawg]

Mid range Dell Latitude for myself, same spec as our staff get.

[LeMarchand]

Desktops at work for me.

 

At home, mainly a self-build desktop but also have a 17" Dell Inspiron that's mainly used to watch stuff in bed/remote play PS4 and a Surface Go 4 if I think I need may need something more useful than an Android tablet if away from the house for more than a few hours.

[soapyfish]

HP ZBook  16" for office and homework