Hey everyone! We're looking to upgrade the laptops for our helpdesk IT staff and would love some recommendations, preferably from Dell. Right now, each user has a setup with an Intel i7 12th Gen processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a 14" display. Their daily tasks include using PowerShell, TeamViewer, Microsoft Office, and Visual Studio Code. They don't require dedicated graphics cards since their workload isn't heavy, but they do manage multiple browser tabs, remote sessions, and documentation simultaneously. There's no strict budget, but we would like to find a good balance between price and performance. Just to clarify, we're specifically looking for laptops since each staff member uses a 14" device along with two external 27" monitors at their desks for better productivity. Thanks for your help!
8 Answers
Upgrade to 32GB of RAM and make sure they have a setup that includes docks. The 12th gen processors should do just fine for your needs!
If I were you, I'd just focus on extending the RAM to at least 32GB and upgrading the monitors. The 14" screen is pretty cramped for daily use!
From my experience, moving to 32GB RAM is key, especially if they’re using VMs for testing. And as for the chassis, skip the i7 and consider something more practical, like a refurbished ThinkPad which offers great value.
Consider if there's a Dell sales rep available to help you out. Also, I think setting up dual 27" monitors would really help your staff's productivity.
I believe keeping the current setup might be overkill for your helpdesk team. Could you share the reason for this upgrade?
We’re out of stock on laptops and it makes more sense to upgrade ours and pass them down.
I think going with an Alienware might cover your needs, especially for that extra power. But I’d suggest considering a high-quality monitor like the Samsung OLED G9 49" for even better multitasking.
Seriously, that resolution would make handling spreadsheets so much smoother!
Make sure to be mindful of security software—if it’s relatively lightweight, prioritize RAM over CPU. The 14" form factor is nice for portability, but focus on battery and RAM balance too.
Honestly, I don't think your team needs an i7 at all. An i5 would be totally sufficient. Though 16GB of RAM is great, you might want to consider bumping it up to 32GB since software like Teams and ticketing systems can use a lot of memory.
I agree! I upgraded from an i5 11th gen to an i5 14th gen and increased my RAM from 16 to 32GB—it was a huge upgrade!
Yes! The smaller screen can definitely be a drag.