What laptop do y’all use for work?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 14:03:36 -0400

Laptop from the exchange. Walmart. Etc one that works and will let me do counseling’s no problem or access jko,ako,alms etc without problems. For active duty army. Disclaimer. I don’t care if you got out and retired and what you did &didn’t have back in the old days because I don’t care and it obviously doesn’t apply to this question.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2020 2:09 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 14:09:56 -0400

My Government Laptop is a Dell, my civilian laptop that I barely use is a HP. It all depends what you want to do with it. Don't get a chromebook, or Mac, because they arent really CAC card friendly, just stay with a windows bassed system.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2020 2:27 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 14:27:01 -0400

Dell has a military discount program and some of the laptops still have CAC Readers installed, which is a nice plus. I used a hardened version during deployment, but don’t think it is worth the increased price (not sure Dell even offers that model anymore).

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2020 2:32 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 14:32:38 -0400

Dell E7250 (12”) or E7450 (14”). Has a built in CAC reader, option for extended battery that lasts all day, option for touchscreen, and can use with dock so at home or office it’s your desktop as well.
No only that but these are pretty rugged and slim/light at the same time and will survive a lot of travel and drops

Buy used from eBay with the options you want and set it up. Usually costs $300-400 max

Yes it may seem like a lot work to get one of these and set it up but once you get one you will thank me.

I’ve used these business model dells for about 10 years and they last a very long time. These are the same model laptops the army issues out for office work.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2020 2:34 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 14:34:07 -0400

Get a Microsoft Surface. Even a Surface Go is fine if you don't want to spend a lot of money. They have ful Windows. You can finance with Dell. Have sales from time to time. Great warranty because you can walk into a Surface store. Compact, easy to use, amazing. You can log into all things Army as it is compatible with everything.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2020 2:48 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 14:48:10 -0400

I have a cheap Lenovo I got from best buy. However, they have a good military discount if you go through Id.me or expert voice. Can't remember which one.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2020 2:52 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 14:52:18 -0400

I use my work computer and the vpn at home.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2020 3:46 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 15:46:20 -0400

Whatever you get make sure it can run Adobe PDF. Almost everything is PDF, excel, or word driven. Most PDFs don’t load or aren’t editable on the mobile or not the full version of the program. A built in CAC reader would come in VERY handy as well. Having to worry about having an external reader can become a nuisance.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2020 9:31 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 21:31:15 -0400

My civ laptop has always been whatever Windows laptop was under $250 at Best Buy, (and would probably be the same deal at Walmart).
That has always worked fine with a CAC reader, .mil sites and fillable pdfs.
Though I partition that and load linux, which also works fine with a CAC reader and .mil sites as well.

Response by SSG Rafael Rodriguez made Apr 20 at 2020 12:06 PM

SSG Rafael Rodriguez — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 12:06:29 -0400

Good morning Sgt. Thompson, for most of my military time i always was around Dell computers, to me they are user friendly and easy to use those apps/websites. To this day i retired and work for FAA and still have use of a Dell Precision 7520 laptop, it has a strong CPU that allows use of Visio, Xcel and Powerpoint, hope that helps.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2020 12:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 12:33:39 -0400

I use a sony, I don't think it matters that much on which actual computer you use so much as the software/programs you put on it to use. I'm constantly updated stuff and making sure I have the correct stuff to use AKO, Enterprise, Iperms, HRC, etc.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2020 1:57 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 13:57:42 -0400

For my duty position I am issued a Dell laptop by the government. However, my personal computer is an HP. I have installed the needed software, such as Adobe and the CAC reader stuff that I am able to access all the websites that I need to, barring those that require a .mil domain for access. Nearly any Windows compliant computer should work for what you have listed there.

Second, your disclaimer, I get it, but have show a little courtesy and perhaps you should have re-worded that to be a little respectful.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2020 4:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 16:35:12 -0400

I bought a Chromebook because it was cheap and it does everything I need it to for work and very little else. It reads my CAC fine and has all the proper certs to access all of the above listed sites. I also like how Google Drive is the default on the computer allowing me to start, finish, or edit counselings/projects that are on my computer from my phone. Basically its a cheap computer that does exactly what you need it to and can download apps to view and edit PDFs. I got mine for $150 for that price and used strictly for work its really hard to beat. The normal limitations of a Chromebook only matter if you want specific software. Just my two cent.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2020 11:09 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2020 11:09:23 -0400

I have used dells, gateway, hp, and Alienware. They have all been at different price points. The OS has been xp, Vista, windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10. All have worked for me until the computer eventually died. Xp and 7 worked the best for me.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2020 12:51 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2020 12:51:18 -0400

Dell. They have a military discount, and the "For Business" models (e.g. Latitude 7000 series) often have a CAC reader built in. They aren't the necessarily the cheapest thing out there. If you're looking to get out of there as cheap as possible, hit the exchange, buy whatever they have with a USB port to plug an external CAC reader in to. You don't need anything fancy, just the ability to hit the internet, and a Windows OS (Apple is a pain to use with a CAC and I have no idea if a Chromebook is compatible or not).