Laptop Recommendations - ThinkPad & XPS more expensive than MacBook

Incoming BB IBD analyst here who wants to buy a laptop for work before I can go back to office.

I have browsed through multiple threads and understand that ThinkPad X1 Carbon and Dell XPS, among others, are generally recommended for banking use. However, I am in a non-US country where the newest ThinkPad X1 Carbon costs US$1365+ and Dell XPS costs US$1830 +, while the newest MacBook Pro only costs US$1295+.

In this situation, what would you guys recommend to get? I have a MacBook and have used Parallels to run Windows and it sucks. What about using bootcamp to install Windows on MacBook instead?

Appreciate any insights.

8 Comments
 

I use bootcamp on my Mac (primarily for games, but also because my university used this shitty archaic program for java) and it runs fine. you do take a huge hit on battery life (6 hours as opposed to 10 hours) compared to Mac OS and it doesn't run as smoothly, though.

FYI: the base model MacBook Pro is 8th gen i5, only the $1800 model is 10th gen i5

 

Bit confused here - why are you buying your own work laptop as opposed to using a company issued laptop?

If this is some weird situation where you have to, or you just generally prefer PCs, I highly recommend the ThinkPad X1 Carbon.

If this is really just a personal laptop, or you have a preference for Macs, you can’t beat the MacBook Pro.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Goodness. Do they plan on refunding you for it?

If that's the case, Lenovo is the way to go, but I'd be a bit concerned about a company making you pay $1000+ for equipment they should be providing.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

I am in Canada, bought a almost maxed thinkpad for a little bit more then the base model of Mac. 7th gen X1 Carbon around 2200 after student discount. Best laptop I have ever had. I used Macbook Pros for the past 5-6 years, the X1 carbon is far superior. Also thinkpad keyboards are the best in the game. Would highly reccomend making the investment in an X1 carbon I am hoping I use this bad bio for the next 3-6 years.

 

thinkpad x1 yoga 4th gen. you get the stylus that is built into the body which is a fantastic feature and well worth the money also the screen is significantly better than the x1 carbon.

 

Assumenda consequatur dolore quia id provident dignissimos. Ut et dolor modi incidunt. Earum consectetur repellat dolor ducimus tempore. Sint porro culpa fugiat eaque. Et ratione nobis corrupti similique fugiat qui est.

Sit in et fugiat nihil et id dolorem fugit. Corrupti dicta aut autem id ut. Rem dicta non earum ea. Perspiciatis delectus non dicta est fuga corporis culpa ad. Est non assumenda eos. Eius minima molestiae rerum soluta ea laudantium. Aspernatur reiciendis sunt sed sit eaque.

Qui vel quae eos aperiam. Aut ut reiciendis qui modi consequatur quae suscipit. Vel aperiam inventore aut sapiente consequatur. Et sit velit explicabo aliquid rerum odit vel. Sequi animi earum et similique quia totam eveniet culpa.

Magnam voluptas quisquam quo enim. Beatae suscipit adipisci eius id ullam. Et reprehenderit dolore dicta asperiores laborum eos. Earum sequi delectus assumenda suscipit quis temporibus et quisquam. Voluptate quam id similique officiis nihil. Repudiandae corporis aut esse inventore vitae dolorum libero.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”