Should I buy a new laptop for an upcoming IBD stint?
I read through some of the forums regarding buying a new laptop, but a lot of new technology has come into play since then, thus the comments I've seen so far need a little updating. I was hoping I could get some more fresh advice.
I currently have one of the first versions of the 11" MacBook Air, and it blows. There is no chance of running parallels on this in order to get the windows functionality, and I have been constantly carrying around an external hard drive because of the limited space.
In my upcoming role the analysts are going to have desktops, and loaners for when traveling, plus we have tokens to remote log in to our desktops from other computers. I really like mac for everything not related to using the Office programs, and the interconnectivity with my iPhone (especially with OS X Yosemite coming out soon) is a huge plus.
Given the above, I've considered two options and would like some input on them:
1) Get a 13" MBP with retina display (2.6GHz dual core i5 processor, 16GB RAM, 256GB Flash storage) with parallel desktops, and, to solve the keyboard issue (i.e. using excel + ppt on a mac keyboard is out of the question for me), buy a separate keyboard to use when running windows.
This option may get annoying with the extra hardware, or maybe with an elevated laptop stand it wont really matter. If it's really bad I can also get a display to basically 'dock' my mac for when working from home. Probably looking at around $2,000 for this option.
2) Buy a Lenovo T440s (4th gen intel core i7 (4MB Cache, up to 3.3GHz), 12GB memory, 256GB SSD) and continue using my MacBook Air with the external hard drive. Stands at around $1,500 for this one.
If it helps, I am not a gamer, nor do I work extensively with graphic design. I do work with audio recording and editing occasionally.
Thanks for your help!
So you want to get another Mac, run windows, buy a windows keyboard just to be able to use Microsoft office? Why not just get the Lenovo for cheaper and not have to worry about installing windows and getting an additional keyboard? That way you have a Mac running OS and a Windows machine running Windows. A machine running its intended software is always better that cross running software. Also you can get a laptop for far less than $1,500.
If you're willing to spend $2k then spend $600 to build a desktop to run windows on (you can spend less for a still decent build), and the rest on a MacBook Pro.
just make eyes at Vikrum
I wouldn't bother. My laptop has become a $1,500 porn and music machine since I started working.
VAIO Pro Ultrabook 13 is the way to go. Lighter than an air, and it's extremely powerful if you upgrade it (base model is like 1300 but you can upgrade it with a couple hundred more bucks).
I'm in a similar position and came down to 3 options:
I'm going for the Lenovo as is for a few reasons:
This is mostly true for the 440 as well (save some of the hardware specs and component support). I'd been a staunch Apple supporter for a long time but have come to realize that what you buy from Apple is a lifestyle product; if you have shit to do and work to get done, get a computer meant for that.
I just got the Lenovo Y50 for business school, I love it.
Your school mails yours out before orientation or you bought it on your own? Just curious.
bought my own
Appreciate all the comments, thanks for your input. I ended up going with the Lenovo. I really like apple but I'll buy their products whenever I have more disposable income
How about the Surface Pro 3? I heard it can be replacing the traditional Windows desktop soon with its full Office Suite functionality.
What do you guys think?
buying new laptop or computer after graduation/before first year (Originally Posted: 04/02/2007)
My current laptop is a POS and I've been wanting to get a new one, but I don't know if it's even worth the money to get one considering I'm going to begin work in 3 months (ib analyst in BB). Will I actually ever use a laptop to do work (like on roadshows or at home), or is this thing just going to collect dust for the next two years? I figure, no point in buying one now if I could buy the same model for about $50 in two years. Thanks for any help guys.
most banks have a way for you to remotely login and do work from home. take advantage of a student discount while you are still a student. that being said, a lot of banks give laptops to bankers or lend them out for roadshows.
Depends on what you use your laptop for. If you use it for music or games or anything like that then get one.
If you just use it for the internet why bother.
The laptops banks lend you will probably firewalled, which means they can monitor all your Internet-related activities.
basically if you want to use IM or itunes, get your own laptop
I don't understand why you wouldn't get your own laptop. I didn't even know banks lent out laptops. At the banks I know, analysts work on desktops. But again, work computers are both firewalled and monitored. So personal e-mail, facebook, and a number of other sites aren't accessible. I would get my own.
if you use the laptop for work (which you probably will end up doing at least a little of) you may be able to depreciate the cost of the laptop over its useful life and take a tax break.
Buy new laptop? (Originally Posted: 05/09/2007)
Hey guys,
I'll be starting FT at a BB this summer and I'm not sure whether I should buy a laptop for the move. I know my firm doesn't give laptops to analysts, but is a laptop something I should have either for work or just for general living in the city, or will I be ok taking my desktop up?
Thanks, Luke
That's a good question. I'm also starting FT as an analyst come summer. How often do analysts do work at home on their own laptops?
I thought IB was notorious for facetime....
bump
take advantage of the student discount while you still can
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