Looking for a sweet laptop set up for home and business for less than $2,500? Look no further!

I tasked myself to come up with a complete outfit for a home and work all-in-one package of hardware and software ready-to-go.   Mind you, I'm not recommending any particular brand (although I have my short list of favorites). It was just an exercise on what I could make practically after working in the remote workspace for years.

Therefore, I researched models with the elicited specifications and made the recommendation below. The entire package is priced by and fulfilled by Dell from www.Dell.com.

 (Links to an external site.)I took the term “features” literally and included some accessories for what I believe are well worth the price to achieve ergonomic functionality which translates to higher productivity. Since this new "employee" will be engaged in a hybrid work environment, the need for both mobile and cubicle-like work areas is apparent, hence the extras. This is in keeping with my philosophy that a healthy and happy worker is a productive and loyal one. Headset and microphone support will be needed for conference calls in the remote environments after all. Cables were included as well as some peripherals. This was definitely not a low-end purchase. I know it takes more than one screen to do practical long-day work sessions and not with a laptop touch mousepad.  I wanted two 27-inch monitors with High Definition in 4K! Prices were current at the time of research.

Now if you plan on using this computer for heavy video editing, then you'll need plenty of RAM, a powerful graphics card, and a high-quality processor.  Please note that the recommended RAM that a particular software requires is only the minimum amount in order to run efficiently, thus, when you plan on completing high-intensity processes within the software, you will need to consider more RAM to cover that. If you choose to buy a laptop with a significantly powerful processor, be sure you research how that model is able to handle intense heat. 


$700.00 Dell model New Vostro 5620 Laptop (Links to an external site.) with 16 inch screen; Titan Grey; Order Code smv165w11p1c1001

Specifications:

  • 12th generation Intel® Core™ i5; 1240p (12 MB cache, 12 cores; 16 threads, 4.4 Ghz turbo)
  • Intel UHD graphics video card (lowest end)
  • Memory:8 GB DDR4 RAM @3200 Mhz (average size)
  • Hard drive storage 256 GB, M.2, PCLe, NVMe, SSD (Solid State Drive) (average capacity).
  • Operating System: Windows 11 Pro (English only)
  • Screen size: 16 inch (1900x1200 aspect ratio; non-glare, no-touch, 250 nits, WVA Comfort View
  • Keyboard: backlit with numeric keypad
  • Camera, speakers and mic: 1080p at 30 fps FHD camera & Dual-array microphones; Stereo speakers with Waves MaxxAudio® Pro, 2 W x 2
  • Power: 65 Watt AC Adapter and 4 Cell, 54 Wh, integrated battery
  • Wireless card: Intel® Wi-Fi 6 2x2 (Gig+) and Bluetooth
  • Ports & Slots: SD Card reader; 1X USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A, RJ-45 internet port; Headset jack; 1X HDMI 1.4*; 1XUSB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A; 1X USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C™ (DP/PowerDelivery)
  • Touchpad: Mylar surface
  • Free shipping (available in 4 days after purchase)

 

Extras for comfort and efficiency:
•    Microsoft Office Home & Business (Classic 2021 versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and  Outlook email) one-time purchase                                                                                                           $249.00
•    Logitech M187 - Mouse - optical - 3 buttons - 2.4 GHz - USB wireless receiver                                 $315.99
•    Dell Universal Dock - D6000S                                                                                                                $16.99
•    Dell Pro Hybrid Briefcase Backpack 15 | PO1521HB                                                                             $ 837.99
•    Dell Pro Wireless Headset | WL5022                                                                                                        $162.00
•    C2G RJ-45 CAT6 550 MHz Snagless Internet Patch Cable-50 ft – Blue                                               $26.99
•    2-packBelkin 10ft High Speed HDMI - Ultra HD Cable M/M - 4k @30Hz                                           $21.98  
•    2 of Dell 27" 4K USB-C Hub Monitor - P2723QE   ($544.99 each)                                                      $1,089.98
•    1 1TB USB Flash Drive USB Drive for Laptop    (cheapest through Amazon)                                   $19.99
Subtotal                                                                                                                                                        $2,324.94
City and sales tax in Durham , NC    7.50%                                                                                                   $174.37

Total Spend                                                                                                                                                   $2,499.31 

References:

Office Home & Business 2021 (microsoft.com) (Links to an external site.)

https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-laptops-and-notebooks/new-vostro-5620-laptop/spd/vostro-16-5620-laptop/smv165w11p1c1001?view=configurations#customization-anchor

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