Looking for a personal device / computer to use so I can stop using my computer for personal use (shopping, booking vacations, doing taxes, etc. - nothing crazy) What do others use and enjoy? Mac / iPad / Lenovo?
Ipad seems nice for plane use and can probably still compliment work with giving digital handwritten comments on PDF via stylus?
Any thoughts or not worth the investment and just use work computer for personal things?
I just got a cheap Microsoft Surface, and it does the trick for what I need it for.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights:
MacBook: If you're already in the Apple ecosystem, a MacBook could be a great choice for personal use. It's clean, user-friendly, and integrates seamlessly with other Apple devices like iPhones and iPads. However, keep in mind that Excel and PowerPoint shortcuts are generally better optimized for PCs, which might be a consideration if you plan to use it for any work-related tasks.
iPad: An iPad is a solid option for personal use, especially for tasks like shopping, booking vacations, or reviewing PDFs with a stylus. It's portable, great for travel, and can complement your work setup by allowing you to annotate documents digitally. However, it might not fully replace a laptop for more complex tasks like taxes or heavy multitasking.
Lenovo ThinkPad: If you're looking for a reliable and budget-friendly option, Lenovo ThinkPads are highly recommended. They offer excellent keyboards, durability, and performance for everyday tasks. Plus, they are often available at discounted prices with student or seasonal sales.
Work Computer for Personal Use: While it might be tempting to use your work computer for personal tasks, it's generally not advisable. Many firms monitor work devices, and using them for personal activities could raise privacy concerns or even violate company policies.
Recommendation:
If you want a dedicated personal device, an iPad is a great choice for portability and casual use, while a MacBook or Lenovo ThinkPad would be better for more versatile and long-term use. Avoid relying on your work computer for personal tasks to maintain privacy and professionalism.
Sources: Best Personal Labtop for Banking, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/new-laptop-recommendations?customgpt=1, Girl Investment Bankers - Any tips?, Girl Investment Bankers - Any tips?, Do IB analysts get laptops to work from home?
I have a Macbook Pro and a Lenovo ThinkPad, both for personal use. I prefer the ThinkPad just because it has a 16 inch 4k OLED screen and is more customizable, but honestly it does have more issues than my Macbook, which just works seamlessly. Apple's computers are just in a league of their own ever since they stopped using Intel processors. No other laptop comes close in ease of use, stability, and battery life.
I'm admittedly somewhat of a laptop nerd, though for most people, I'd say the Macbook Pro is unquestionably the best general purpose computer on the market today. I'd only recommend a Windows computer if you want gaming or need it for Windows specific ISV-tier software.
If you ever need to use Excel, the shortcuts you're used to on Windows won't work on Excel for Mac OS, but you can download a software called Parallels which will allow you to run Windows 11 on your Mac, which you can then use to run Excel with an external Windows keyboard, indistinguishable from if you were just using a Windows computer, for anything that isn't intense modeling.
What do you think of the new Surface Laptop 7? Looking more at the 13.8 or 16 inch options.
Basically as close to being a Macbook as any Windows laptop can get. Very nice laptop with fantastic battery life with the Snapdragon chip. Would highly recommend if you want the best of both worlds and aren't looking to game or run highly specific software that only run on x86 processors.
Do you think that macros that don't run on ARM are at all important for learning in my free time?
That last point isn't exactly 100% true. There's still keyboard mapping issues with the virtual machines on Mac...
I have an iPad pro - w/ keyboard and pencil - have used for years and love it. That said, every single time I try and 'use' it beyond consuming and creative endeavors (drawing, free form, craft, final cut pro, adobe lightroom, etc.) - I go onto the apple store, or my heavily discounted Lenovo store from work, and put a laptop in my cart. One day I might hit purchase if I've been drinking.
On a serious note - I love my iPad - it's an expensive, fun, and great to travel with personal device. It won't replace a laptop fully - so keep that in mind if you go down that road. Full disclosure - I do have a Mac Studio that I use for anything beyond what I can do on it... so obviously, if you can afford both, that's always an option.
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