Hey everyone! We're gearing up to buy some new Dell laptops and I'm looking for a model that will stand the test of time. Ideally, I want something where we can find spare parts once the warranty is up. In the past, we've bought Dell Latitude 5430s and Precision 3480/3490s. We're currently considering the Dell Pro 14. What models are you all using in your laptop fleets?
4 Answers
We primarily use the 16 Pro Plus, which feels like a beefed-up version of the old Latitudes we've used. For CAD work, we allocate the Pro Plus Premium which is a bit pricey but worth it. Just a heads-up, the new Pro Max models are something we haven't tried yet since we typically use the Max 16 Plus for our workstations. Haven't heard any complaints, but they are a bit bulky.
Right now, we mainly use the Dell Pro 16. The lack of a numeric keypad has been a dealbreaker for a lot of our users. It's kind of like a follow-up to the Latitude 3xxx series, which I’ve heard have had questionable quality control. On the upside, the Latitude 5500s have been solid—deployed around 100 of those a while back with great performance. If you're looking at the Pro Plus 14/16, they should be a good upgrade! But honestly, don't hesitate to consult with Dell or your account rep; they might have some hidden deals for specific models.
We just got Dell Pro 14 and 16 Plus models. Our Dell account manager mentioned they’re the closest to the Latitude 5xxx series in terms of build quality, and they have a slick aluminum chassis. I’m a bit wary though because I fear the Pro line might be steering towards the Vostro's mixed component approach. We've had too many issues with the Latitude 3000 series, so we went off Dell for a bit but returned because HP EliteBooks just weren't cutting it for reliability—keys falling off left and right!
I'm all in on the Pro 14 Premiums. They work great for us and seem to be standing up better than the Latitude 74xx series we previously relied on. The newer 3480/90 models are now known as the Pro Max Micro, but I haven't had the chance to use them yet. Generally, I'm satisfied with the Max 16 Plus for workstation needs.
Yikes, keys falling off sounds rough! It seems like a lot of people are dealing with similar issues across different brands. The Pro Plus definitely feels like a better bet.