Are you overwhelmed by the endless variety of laptop models and configuration options when equipping your employees? Let Electric help you find the perfect device for every role, task, and budget.
The first step in any search is to decide on an operating system. Choosing between laptop operating systems may depend on the specific applications your business relies on, employee preferences, budget considerations, and your overall IT infrastructure.
Windows
Windows is the most widely used operating system, offering extensive software and hardware compatibility.
There are many PC manufacturers to choose from, all of which offer the Windows experience. As of this writing, Electric has agreements with three PC manufacturers: Lenovo, HP, and Dell. These agreements allow us access to a large inventory of the latest models from each at competitive prices.
Apple
Apple’s MacOS is recognized for its clean and intuitive interface and consistent and visually appealing experience across Apple device types.
Within the Apple ecosystem you have two laptop platforms to choose from, the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro, both of which use macOS. Air models are suitable for general office tasks, web browsing, and multimedia consumption. Airs also tend to be lighter and offer longer battery life. Pro models offer more processing power and advanced hardware components, making them ideal for demanding tasks like video editing, graphic design, and software development.
While price is a good approximation for a device’s capabilities, there is often more to consider. We have compiled for both Apple and PC based on common business needs:
For general use
Apple model: Most users in this category will find MacBook Air models sufficient for their needs.
Apple Processor: An M2 chip should be sufficient, however, Apple is phasing out M2 chips in favor of M3 versions. If you can find a model with an M2 chip feel free to grab it, but expect that these options will not be available for long.
PC models: Entry and mid-level devices from Lenovo, HP, and Dell will meet the needs of most.
PC Processor: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processors are good options here.
RAM: 8GB RAM is usually sufficient. Consider 16GB for smoother performance.
Storage: 256GB SSD for sufficient performance.
Display: 14+” display with at least Full HD resolution.
Note: We recommend a PC device with Windows OS for users that spend a lot of time in Microsoft Excel or other Windows-native applications vs. dealing with desktop virtualization etc.
For software development
Apple model: A MacBook Pro is ideal for these power users.
Apple Processor: A standard M3 chip will be sufficient for most, but you may consider upgrading to a M3 Pro or M3 Max for extreme performance.
PC models: Top-tier devices from Lenovo, HP, and Dell can handle these users' high demands.
PC Processor: Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 for compiling code efficiently.
RAM: 16GB is the minimum here. Opt for 32GB to better handle operating in multiple development environments.
Storage: 512GB SSD for faster code compilation and data access.
For design and creative work
Apple model: Users in this group will likely need a MacBook Pro for a smooth, productive experience.
Apple Processor: A standard M3 chip will be sufficient for most, but you may consider upgrading to a M3 Pro or M3 Max for extreme performance.
PC models: Top-tier devices from Lenovo, HP, and Dell will meet the needs of these power users.
PC Processor: Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 for better multitasking.
RAM: 32GB for handling graphics-intensive applications is ideal.
Storage: 512GB SSD or larger for ample storage space and faster data access.
Graphics Card: Dedicated GPU (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce GTX or RTX) for graphic design.
Display: A 15+” high-resolution and color-accurate display, ideally with IPS or OLED technology.