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  • Is the ThinkPad Really the Best Laptop For Business?
Technology Articles > Computers > Laptops > Is the ThinkPad Really the Best Laptop For Business?

If you work for any kind of large corporation and need a laptop, chances are you’ll be handed a ThinkPad. Lenovo’s ThinkPads have long been the gold standard when it comes to business laptops. But, is the ThinkPad really the best option? You might not have a choice if your boss decides on your laptop. Then again, you may be able to convince him that another laptop is a better choice once you take a look at these comparisons.

Why is the ThinkPad so popular? Simply put, this laptop is durable and lightweight. So, if you happen to drop it or need to travel a lot, a ThinkPad seems logical. Then again, this line of reasoning is somewhat outdated. Most laptops today are highly portable and durable. How does the ThinkPad compare? Here are some ways to look at the business laptop equation.

The ThinkPad VS. The MacBook Pro

First, let’s talk price. The Lenovo ThinkPad T420 is priced around $1200. The Apple MacBook (15-inch) Pro is priced around $2100. That’s a large price difference. Thankfully, price isn’t everything. The ThinkPad weighs in at 4.7 pounds while the MacBook Pro weighs 5.6 pounds –that’s almost one pound of extra weight. Weight aside, the MacBook Pro is packed with an AMD Radeon HD graphics card in addition to USB, Firewire, and Thunderbolt ports. The Lenovo ThinkPad comes with an Ethernet, USB 2.0, and VGA port.

Both the MacBook Pro and the ThinkPad are equipped with a 500 GB hard drive and 4GB of RAM. The main difference between these two business laptops is that the MacBoo Pro has a 15.4-inch screen while the ThinkPad comes with a 14-inch screen. Both graphics cards are equally as good, the ports offered are just as versatile, and both laptops are neck and neck where hard drive and RAM is concerned. Which laptop wins this showdown? Sorry, Apple, it looks like the ThinkPad is really the better deal this time around.

The ThinkPad VS. The HP Folio 13

HP has been coming out with some decent business laptops lately. The HP Folio 13 is one of the better options in this category. As compared to the ThinkPad, the Folio can be purchased for under $1000, weighs 3.25 pounds, and comes with a 13.3-inch screen. HP has added 4GB of memory, an Intel Core i5 Sandy Bridge processor, and a USB 2.0; 3.0; and HDMI port. If you’re looking for an optical drive, however, the Folio doesn’t have one. But, that’s the price you pay for a lighter laptop. If light is what you’re after, the Folio wins hands down. Design and overall ruggedness are sacrificed, however.

The Folio is certainly an option if price is an issue. The ThinkPad still wins my vote when it comes to the best business laptop, though. It’s just hard to beat what Lenovo offers business travelers, even if the price is a tad high. There are a number of ThinkPads out there to consider too. If you have a choice in the matter, make sure to test out a number of ThinkPads prior to purchase. If not, you could do a lot worse than the ThinkPad.