Standard Laptop Configurations

For departmental purchases, our standard Lenovo configurations are available in marketplace, search for the item number in the CDWG punchout.  SSCF will help in arranging any custom-order configurations.  For business office desktop purchase program participants, both the Lenovo and Apple systems are paid for entirely by SSCF unless otherwise noted.

We also maintain a list of recommended peripherals.

The ThinkPad E16 model is generally the one we keep in stock and is our default for new hires and machine replacements since most staff expressed a preference for the larger screen.  Note that although the E16 has a larger screen than the older models, it has a thinner border around the screen and so is actually slightly smaller than the old E15 model.

Lenovo Thinkpad E14 Gen 5 or E16 Gen 1 - ~$900

AMD Ryzen 5 7xxx or Intel  i5-13th generation

16GB RAM

256GB Solid State Drive

15" FHD 1920x1080 screen

(This system is available under several SKUs in the CDWG punchout, and the price varies from week to week - ask us for the current best SKU to order.)

The E14 has a 14-inch screen (no number pad on the keyboard), the E16 has a 16-inch screen (with a number pad).

Dell Latitude 3540 - $830

Intel i5-1335U

16GB RAM

256GB Solid State Drive

15" 1920x180 screen

This is the latest version of the standard Dell system we've been purchasing since the beginning of the program.  The choice between this and the Lenovo option comes down to personal preference, though the Dell usually ships faster.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 - $990

Intel i5-1135G7

16GB RAM

256GB Solid State Drive

12.4" FHD 1536x1024 touchscreen

Note this machine is not quite as fast as the larger models, but is suitable for somebody who prefers a smaller machine.

(This system is CDW-G item 7052436 or 7052433 in Marketplace, the price varies slightly from week to week.)

Also note that this is not the same machine as the Surface Laptop Go, or the Surface Go, or the Surface Go 2.  None of those machines meet our standards.


HP Probook 455 or 445 G10 - $700-$1000

AMD Ryzen 5 7000 series

16GB RAM

256GB Solid State Drive

14" or 15" 1920x1080

These machines provide excellent performance but decent pricing is only available via the HP consumer site (so the purchase must be made on an Express Card) and the price varies with weekly promotions, etc.

The Probook 445 is the 14" version (with no number pad on the keyboard) and the 455 is the 15" version (with the number pad on the keyboard)


Apple Macbook Air 14" - $1279.00

Apple M2 Chip

16GB RAM

256GB Solid State Drive

14-inch screen

Note:  The Macbook Air only supports ONE external monitor.  

There are some third-party docks that claim to allow two, but these inevitably stop working eventually, probably because Apple would prefer that you purchase a more expensive Macbook Pro.  

We will not support these solutions or buy you a Macbook Pro, but we may be able to swap your two smaller external monitors for one larger one.

Apple Macbook Air 15" - $1379.00

Apple M2 Chip

16GB RAM

256GB Solid State Drive

15-inch screen

Note:  The Macbook Air only supports ONE external monitor.  

There are some third-party docks that claim to allow two, but these inevitably stop working eventually, probably because Apple would prefer that you purchase a more expensive Macbook Pro.  

We will support these solutions or buy you a Macbook Pro, but we may be able to swap your two smaller external monitors for one larger one.