Laptops versus desktops and roaming users
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@jaredbusch said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@dashrender said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
I've been asked - why I choose to go with laptops for my users instead of installing desktop computers everywhere and people just moving between devices (like they do in many hospitals).
The hospital is likely using VDI. That is why you don't.
Standardized laptops and docks are wonders. It could be harder right now with your older fleet likely not being fully USB-C dock capable.
But everything current will work with a USB-C based dock. This even removes the need for extra power supplies. The dock's power supply will power the laptop. The power supply that came with the dock will simply be used by the user.
That dock powering the laptop isn't always the case.
My fleet isn't as old as you think anymore. 50% are less than 3 years old now, and really probably closer to 2.I haven't specifically checked, I'm sure most have USB C ports, only something like 3 in the lot have USB C power suppplies, the rest are normal barrel style. I have no idea if they can be charged via USB C.
Because of the lack of inventory, I've had to take whatever was available when I bought, so I've been kinda all over the map with HP (some elitebooks, some Probooks - all kinds of models) and Dells (I don't know the models in dell I have)...
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@dashrender said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
That dock powering the laptop isn't always the case.
My fleet isn't as old as you think anymore. 50% are less than 3 years old now, and really probably closer to 2.I haven't specifically checked, I'm sure most have USB C ports, only something like 3 in the lot have USB C power suppplies, the rest are normal barrel style. I have no idea if they can be charged via USB C.
Unless you bought, shit, they can.
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@jaredbusch said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@dashrender said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
yeah, I suppose it can be close to cost neutral, but when you consider all of the extra parts - dual monitors (in a lot, but not all cases) second power supply, possible docking station, external keyboard.. all those things add up.
What extra parts?
You are falsely claiming a cost difference for something that is the same. Desktop or laptop, you have monitors. Keyboards? WTF? Power supply? Not with modern equipment. The dock comes with one and it powers the laptop while connected.
The only "extra" is the dock.
Desktops come with the keyboard, a laptop has the built in one, but almost no one uses that when using a "desktop like" setup - so an extra keyboard/mouse is required.
And a second monitor - in the case of the desktop, the first monitor is included in the cost of the base computer, just like the display is in the laptop, but in the case of using a laptop "desktop like" setup - you need two more monitors, so compared to a desktop, you could easily need a second monitor, i.e. two 27" monitors, not the shit show that is using a 13" laptop display along with a second 27" monitor.
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@jaredbusch said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@dashrender said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
That dock powering the laptop isn't always the case.
My fleet isn't as old as you think anymore. 50% are less than 3 years old now, and really probably closer to 2.I haven't specifically checked, I'm sure most have USB C ports, only something like 3 in the lot have USB C power suppplies, the rest are normal barrel style. I have no idea if they can be charged via USB C.
Unless you bought, shit, they can.
I don't consider HP Probooks or Elitebooks shit - but I've never tested, so I have no idea.
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@dashrender said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@scottalanmiller said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@jaredbusch said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@dashrender said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
The question would be - why?
Because it is not more expensive unless you make it more expensive. It is typically cost neutral and adds flexibility. Pre-COVID I was already nearing 50% laptop vs desktop for new desks.
Post-COVID, I am close to 95% laptop for new desks.
These days we are getting great (and I really mean that) laptops under $700. Sometimes way under.
I'd like a source on those - Any laptop I've touched under $800 in the past 2 years have been A9 shit machines!
Where are you still even finding anything with an A9 CPU?
At least they're better than Intel's Atom J series, talk about useless silicon!
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@dashrender said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@jaredbusch said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@dashrender said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
That dock powering the laptop isn't always the case.
My fleet isn't as old as you think anymore. 50% are less than 3 years old now, and really probably closer to 2.I haven't specifically checked, I'm sure most have USB C ports, only something like 3 in the lot have USB C power suppplies, the rest are normal barrel style. I have no idea if they can be charged via USB C.
Unless you bought, shit, they can.
I don't consider HP Probooks or Elitebooks shit - but I've never tested, so I have no idea.
Probooks are shit. Elitebooks are good. They both should have USB C though.
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@irj said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@scottalanmiller said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
Laptops are definitely getting used more and more, although I'm unsure why, I guess because more and more office workers don't have computers at home.
You don't want unmanaged systems connecting to internal resources in most cases. You can get away with it with something like Intune that creates separate space for data and doesn't allow uploads for non managed device, but it's not ideal.
I guess in places still mired in VPN remote access, that makes sense.
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@travisdh1 said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@dashrender said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@scottalanmiller said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@jaredbusch said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@dashrender said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
The question would be - why?
Because it is not more expensive unless you make it more expensive. It is typically cost neutral and adds flexibility. Pre-COVID I was already nearing 50% laptop vs desktop for new desks.
Post-COVID, I am close to 95% laptop for new desks.
These days we are getting great (and I really mean that) laptops under $700. Sometimes way under.
I'd like a source on those - Any laptop I've touched under $800 in the past 2 years have been A9 shit machines!
Where are you still even finding anything with an A9 CPU?
At least they're better than Intel's Atom J series, talk about useless silicon!
We found an A8 in use yesterday.
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For the same money you get more power in the desktop.
The enterprises I know have a mix of both. Those that may have a need for a laptop have one. The rest are predominantly desktop based. Especially if they are not office workers.
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@pete-s said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
For the same money you get more power in the desktop.
The enterprises I know have a mix of both. Those that may have a need for a laptop have one. The rest are predominantly desktop based. Especially if they are not office workers.
My bigger concerns are always durability and usability. My desktop setups tend to be faster, sure, but also they don't get dropped, banged around, broken hinges, dropped, filled, with coffee, etc.
I love laptops, I'm on one now, but generally I like to have desktops for the desk and laptops on the go rather than docking stations. More money, but I think in many cases, especially more "advanced" users, it's the better way when you need to provide mobility. The laptop gets used much less, giving it more lifespan (less chance to be dropped) while also giving users a backup device.
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@travisdh1 said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@dashrender said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@scottalanmiller said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@jaredbusch said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@dashrender said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
The question would be - why?
Because it is not more expensive unless you make it more expensive. It is typically cost neutral and adds flexibility. Pre-COVID I was already nearing 50% laptop vs desktop for new desks.
Post-COVID, I am close to 95% laptop for new desks.
These days we are getting great (and I really mean that) laptops under $700. Sometimes way under.
I'd like a source on those - Any laptop I've touched under $800 in the past 2 years have been A9 shit machines!
Where are you still even finding anything with an A9 CPU?
At least they're better than Intel's Atom J series, talk about useless silicon!
that was 2 years ago, maybe 18 months... I'm not now... the point was really more - finding units under $1000 that are worthwhile currently has been a challenge - but then JB just posted his link to a Ryzen 5 for $900.
2 years I was paying $850 for HP Probook 8th Gen i5's... now days they seem to start around $1000 and go up...
Stock availability is also a huge issue. -
@scottalanmiller said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@pete-s said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
For the same money you get more power in the desktop.
The enterprises I know have a mix of both. Those that may have a need for a laptop have one. The rest are predominantly desktop based. Especially if they are not office workers.
My bigger concerns are always durability and usability. My desktop setups tend to be faster, sure, but also they don't get dropped, banged around, broken hinges, dropped, filled, with coffee, etc.
I love laptops, I'm on one now, but generally I like to have desktops for the desk and laptops on the go rather than docking stations. More money, but I think in many cases, especially more "advanced" users, it's the better way when you need to provide mobility. The laptop gets used much less, giving it more lifespan (less chance to be dropped) while also giving users a backup device.
While I get it - damn, that's a lot of spend.
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@scottalanmiller said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@pete-s said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
For the same money you get more power in the desktop.
The enterprises I know have a mix of both. Those that may have a need for a laptop have one. The rest are predominantly desktop based. Especially if they are not office workers.
My bigger concerns are always durability and usability. My desktop setups tend to be faster, sure, but also they don't get dropped, banged around, broken hinges, dropped, filled, with coffee, etc.
I love laptops, I'm on one now, but generally I like to have desktops for the desk and laptops on the go rather than docking stations. More money, but I think in many cases, especially more "advanced" users, it's the better way when you need to provide mobility. The laptop gets used much less, giving it more lifespan (less chance to be dropped) while also giving users a backup device.
I do the same. Desktop + laptop.
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@dashrender said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@scottalanmiller said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@pete-s said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
For the same money you get more power in the desktop.
The enterprises I know have a mix of both. Those that may have a need for a laptop have one. The rest are predominantly desktop based. Especially if they are not office workers.
My bigger concerns are always durability and usability. My desktop setups tend to be faster, sure, but also they don't get dropped, banged around, broken hinges, dropped, filled, with coffee, etc.
I love laptops, I'm on one now, but generally I like to have desktops for the desk and laptops on the go rather than docking stations. More money, but I think in many cases, especially more "advanced" users, it's the better way when you need to provide mobility. The laptop gets used much less, giving it more lifespan (less chance to be dropped) while also giving users a backup device.
While I get it - damn, that's a lot of spend.
But we get great laptops typically for $650 and desktops for like $900. So $1550 not including monitors and accoutrements. Spendy, yes, outrageous, no.
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@scottalanmiller said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@dashrender said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@scottalanmiller said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@pete-s said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
For the same money you get more power in the desktop.
The enterprises I know have a mix of both. Those that may have a need for a laptop have one. The rest are predominantly desktop based. Especially if they are not office workers.
My bigger concerns are always durability and usability. My desktop setups tend to be faster, sure, but also they don't get dropped, banged around, broken hinges, dropped, filled, with coffee, etc.
I love laptops, I'm on one now, but generally I like to have desktops for the desk and laptops on the go rather than docking stations. More money, but I think in many cases, especially more "advanced" users, it's the better way when you need to provide mobility. The laptop gets used much less, giving it more lifespan (less chance to be dropped) while also giving users a backup device.
While I get it - damn, that's a lot of spend.
But we get great laptops typically for $650 and desktops for like $900. So $1550 not including monitors and accoutrements. Spendy, yes, outrageous, no.
What laptops are you getting for $650 that are worth using?
JB posted a pic of a Ryzen 5 for $900.
I picked up an HP home user unit from Costco in early 2020 for $600 and it was OK.
I'm also not putting Linux, so I have to pay the MS tax for Windows Pro. -
@scottalanmiller said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@travisdh1 said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@dashrender said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@scottalanmiller said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@jaredbusch said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@dashrender said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
The question would be - why?
Because it is not more expensive unless you make it more expensive. It is typically cost neutral and adds flexibility. Pre-COVID I was already nearing 50% laptop vs desktop for new desks.
Post-COVID, I am close to 95% laptop for new desks.
These days we are getting great (and I really mean that) laptops under $700. Sometimes way under.
I'd like a source on those - Any laptop I've touched under $800 in the past 2 years have been A9 shit machines!
Where are you still even finding anything with an A9 CPU?
At least they're better than Intel's Atom J series, talk about useless silicon!
We found an A8 in use yesterday.
That wasn't real clear. That they are in use is not surprising, that they are still being sold is.
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@dashrender said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@scottalanmiller said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@dashrender said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@scottalanmiller said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@pete-s said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
For the same money you get more power in the desktop.
The enterprises I know have a mix of both. Those that may have a need for a laptop have one. The rest are predominantly desktop based. Especially if they are not office workers.
My bigger concerns are always durability and usability. My desktop setups tend to be faster, sure, but also they don't get dropped, banged around, broken hinges, dropped, filled, with coffee, etc.
I love laptops, I'm on one now, but generally I like to have desktops for the desk and laptops on the go rather than docking stations. More money, but I think in many cases, especially more "advanced" users, it's the better way when you need to provide mobility. The laptop gets used much less, giving it more lifespan (less chance to be dropped) while also giving users a backup device.
While I get it - damn, that's a lot of spend.
But we get great laptops typically for $650 and desktops for like $900. So $1550 not including monitors and accoutrements. Spendy, yes, outrageous, no.
What laptops are you getting for $650 that are worth using?
JB posted a pic of a Ryzen 5 for $900.
I picked up an HP home user unit from Costco in early 2020 for $600 and it was OK.
I'm also not putting Linux, so I have to pay the MS tax for Windows Pro.Define worth using. A quick search on Amazon showed 63 different models in the $500 to $600 range that have i3, i5, ryzen 3 or ryzen 5 CPUs, with 8G or more RAM and 128GB or larger SSD.
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@pete-s said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
Define worth using. A quick search on Amazon showed 63 different models in the $500 to $600 range that have i3, i5, ryzen 3 or ryzen 5 CPUs, with 8G or more RAM.
In @Dashrender's position as internal IT, I would consider suing gear like that.
In my position as external IT for various companies, I almost always stick to Dell/HP "business class" units with 3 years of support.
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@dashrender said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
@irj said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
In the enterprise space, the vast majority of users have laptops, docks, and a spare AC adapter (so they don't need to borrow it from dock).
Exeptions would probably be assembly line or something like a shared nurse's station
Desktops are the exceptions though and not the rule.In the enterprise space you rarely see large groups of people sharing the same computers - it's one device one user.
As for Laptops vs Desktop - I have no idea if the reality is desktop are the exception today...
The cost of a laptop plus docking station plus external keyboard plus external monitors plus secondary power supply significantly outweigh the cost of a standard desktop.
If the user needs that level of flexibility of mobility it might make sense, but most desk workers likely don't.
I've only seen laptops in enterprise. The exceptions were purpose-specific desktops, being very few. But again it depends on the environment and industry not all enterprises are the same. I've not worked in hospitals but can image them with different needs and device purposes.
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@obsolesce said in Laptops versus desktops and roaming users:
I've not worked in hospitals but can image them with different needs and device purposes.
I worked for an 18k employee hospital system. All the support staff (IT, administration, etc) had laptops. The hospitals themselves used desktops as shared stations, but even administrators (or anyone with an office who didn't use shared computer) at hospital locations used laptops.
