Where to buy laptops for business

So I need to purchase two laptops as replacements for our salesmen here at work. My IT guy suggested PowerNotebooks.com, and I've purchased a few other laptops through them before. What does the hive mind have to say about the subject?

I'm planning on using imaging software to xfer everything from their old laptops to the new. They are currently using Dell machines that are 4+ years old. Looking to spend <$1,000 per machine if possible.

http://www.lenovo.com/us/en/index.html

EDIT: Oops...Your budget might not be able to afford Lenovos. They will last A LOT longer than a Dell, though, and are built like tanks (Thinkpads). 5+ years versus 3+ years with a Dell.

EDIT2: Actully, you can get a T400 for a dollar shy of $1000. I would strongly consider them. Only Apple makes laptops as good as Lenovo. If you are going for workhorse Windows machines, the only choice is Lenovo.

What level of support do you need from the manufacturer? IE, will you be having your own IT guys servicing these completely, in part?

And to echo other sentiments, look to Lenovo first. Just great hardware, great support, and a lot of options for businesses. Especially if portability, durability, and security are prime concerns, Lenovo is second to none.

I'm not looking for any long term support from the manufacturer. I built a few pretty nice Lenovo's close to my budget, also Dell Outlet has some pretty decent refurb stuff. Normally I'd avoid refurb stuff like the plague, but Dell, at least on the B2B side, has been incredible in their customer service.

heavyfeul wrote:

http://www.lenovo.com/us/en/index.html

EDIT: Oops...Your budget might not be able to afford Lenovos. They will last A LOT longer than a Dell, though, and are built like tanks (Thinkpads). 5+ years versus 3+ years with a Dell.

EDIT2: Actully, you can get a T400 for a dollar shy of $1000. I would strongly consider them. Only Apple makes laptops as good as Lenovo. If you are going for workhorse Windows machines, the only choice is Lenovo.

Fortunately, Lenovo also has an outlet store!

http://outlet.lenovo.com/

My former employeer an IT support company had a premeir partnership with Dell which meant we got pretty good deals there, and i love the fact that any Dell windows cd you have will work on any dell machine since the cd key is baked into the mobo by the manufacturer. The Latitude is a good business line with price ranges up and down the board, may be worth looking into, and the Dell customer service for IT support (ie something breaks and needs to be fixed) is usually pretty good, i can call them talk to a level 1 for like 30 minutes to try out the basic steps Dell needs to run to cover their asses and then i get a technician with parts on site next day to replace whatever it was a customer broke.

I have had excellent luck with my Lenovo T400 and would highly recommend Lenovo's whole thinkpad lineup. I have had a number of IBM's offerings (R31, T23, and now my T400) and all have been durable performers.

With some of their (freely available) discount codes, it's easy to get a very well-equipped T400 (dedicated graphics, LED-backlit screen, W7 pro, etc.0 for less than 1000 bucks.

Don't have much experience with their support, as I haven't had any problems with my system. I sort of see that as a good thing, myself. I literally take my laptop everywhere with me and use it for both work and play.

Lenovo is pretty much king for business.

If not Lenovo, maybe consider something from ASUS or Acer? Both have some really great inexpensive CULV laptops which might fit your needs and will come in well under $1000.

If I were you though I would listen to my IT guy. That's what you pay him for, isn't it?