What good notebook computer would you recommend for CAC usage?

MAJ (Join to see) I am a DELL junkie, easy plug and play, with no additional downloads.-Sweet!

I agree with CSM Carl Cunningham. I find that the HP computers work well for all my army needs. I would stay away from internet browsing computers like Chromebook. Make sure whatever computer you get has a Windows OS...

MAJ (Join to see) , I am a big fan of Lenovo's thinkpad series. Some people call them old looking but in my opinion, they outperform many other computer and laptop companies. I currently have the T450 model with a built in smartcard reader which works great with my CAC when needed.

Whatever brand you purchase, spend the extra money and buy a business grade product. They're built better and have better customer support. Dell, HP, and Lenovo all sell in big box stores (don't buy there), go directly to there site and purchase their business grade laptops. Anyone of those brands won't steer you wrong. My brother works for CDW, and the used to buy Lenovo exclusively;however, they've been buying a lot of HP's lately. Also, don't buy extended warranties from the manufacture. Squaretrade has the best extended warranty around. You just need to purchase it within 30 days of the new pc.

I use a Lenovo Solid State Drive (no Hard-drive all memory chips) Yoga or Flex with touch screen capability (it becomes a tablet). Thin, light, and fast with no hard drive to spin up. I have taken mine to Iraq and Nepal as well as all over the US and Canada with no problems (even in Nepal where the electrical grid really sucks).

The Dell ATG620 was good to me during FTXs with its rugged durability and internal CAC reader. However. I think the bigger issue is whether your CAC reader will work well with your chosen laptop. MilitaryCAC.com would have more information on this.

It isn't the computer so much as the OS you are using. For ease of use, an HP or Sony VAIO are fine computers. Mac's are my favorite but I am not sure where they are at with the signing documents thing on them yet. I use my Windows machine for that.

i have a lenovo i got from their military purchasing website. i got a 15% discount and my cac reader is built in. i got the idea when i saw that my base started to add lenovo laptops. this was a few years ago.

Hardware doesn't really matter (Dell, HP). I have used both and have issues with both and success as well (more of the later). I would, however, suggest downloading Lightweight Portable Security for use. You can use it as a live CD or install as a VM or even dual-boot. More information here: http://www.spi.dod.mil/lipose.htm They recommend using as a liveCD, but I have had no issues using from a VM.

I'd go Dell hands down. I carried a Dell for a year in the desert. With all the sand and crap, it never went down. I got a Dell for my work. Fantastic, just works and works and works.

My HP Elitebook has a built-in reader - my home computer - Toshiba is connected to my Dell keybord with a CAC reader - then i use that keyboard with my tablet etc.

PO1 Andrew Gardiner
I'm betting you would have some good advice/recommendations for MAJ (Join to see).

Stick with a HP or Dell. I personally like Dell - Things to look for: Back-lit keyboard, num pad, and HDMI output/screen resolution. I also like the Intel chip set.

I use a MacBook Air with an external CAC reader. I have never had a problem accessing any military sites.

The HP business line of products is hard to beat. I have enven purchesed open box HP business models for people to use at home. The price is right, they are better built, and the only thing missing is the fancy plastic moldings that do nothing. MAJ (Join to see) Sir, I would look: http://hp.force.com/external/usmilitary You can get a series higher system for the same money that you would spend on a coputer from a big box store.

One that government issued, and that's on a authorized server