Best Laptop for Tax Preparers

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  • #1436493
    mhueycpa
    Participant

    I’ve started a tax prep practice (PT not FT) and need a computer. What is the best laptop for a tax preparer? Thank you.

    P.S. Cannot be a MAC as tax prep software does not work on MACs.

    THE 300 CLUB WILL DO JUST FINE!

Viewing 12 replies - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)
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  • #1436532

    I don't know that you'll find someone with a definitive “best” answer. My firm gives us Dell Latitude E5470 with Core i7 processor and 12gb of RAM running Windows 10 (64bit). As long as you can push to at least 2-3 monitors with a decent docking station you should be alright. Good luck on the venture!

    B - 88 (2/16)
    A - 84 (4/16)
    R - 73 (6/16), 82(7/16)
    F - 67 (1/16), 84(4/16)

    Ethics - 93

    Roger course & Ninja MCQ - HiYa!

    #1437390
    taxgeek83
    Participant

    A somewhat larger screen while still being lightweight enough to carry around, and, yes, definitely something that can handle 2-3 monitors being hooked up to it. I use 3 at work and even that sometimes doesn't feel like enough. 🙂

    #1437393
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Why not a desktop? In my experience, you can still get more bang for your buck with a desktop than with a laptop.

    Multi-monitors is a must!!! I hope I never have to go back to one. And I'm jealous of the people with 3 – some day I will get there. 🙂

    Make sure you have a good processor and RAM. Doesn't need to be gaming RAM, but enough RAM, and a quick enough processor, so that it can do all the tax calculations without stalling out on ya.

    #1440081

    My firm gives us 4.. I think it's a little bit overkill but I'm not gonna lie, it makes my dual 26″ setup at home feel insufficient. One thing to consider laptop vs desktop is that most laptops will have a good enough screen built in to use for a PDF report or small Excel worksheet, meaning potentially one less monitor to buy and a potentially less complicated docking station setup. Plus the portability factor, you're able to bring your system to a client's site or on vacation or wherever you want to go without worrying about carrying around a spare monitor like our auditors.

    B - 88 (2/16)
    A - 84 (4/16)
    R - 73 (6/16), 82(7/16)
    F - 67 (1/16), 84(4/16)

    Ethics - 93

    Roger course & Ninja MCQ - HiYa!

    #1440116
    mhueycpa
    Participant

    I am considering laptop over desktop because I have a Mac Desktop at home (recently purchased), so while I know a desktop is more bang for my buck, do I really want 2 at home? (I guess I could have one for personal other for business but I like the portability of laptop) I would then have to use Go To Meeting or some other software to access that computer from work.

    I have two monitors on my work computer I would like to have 3 or even 4. I figure 3 is minimum (current year tax return, current year workpapers and prior year tax return)

    The portability of a laptop is really pushing me that way, but I want to make sure I'm getting a good one for business use. Tax software I plan on using is Proseries, anyone have experience with this or can suggest a better one?

    THE 300 CLUB WILL DO JUST FINE!

    #1440141
    Tncincy
    Participant

    Laptop I would go with HP i7…I don't particularly like the 17 (too big) but the 15 has worked for me….make sure you get a really secure program and secure your system where others can't access client personal information and get you a back up hard drive, you have to keep the information (IRS allotted time period required). You know as soon as something else new come out the temptation to upgrade is there, so a back-up hard drive to ensure you keep the information should you up grade or the laptop is damaged. I have the dell desk top in my office which works very well if you consider a desktop.

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

    #1440155
    tg7174
    Participant

    I use a Dell Latitude with a docking station for my multiple monitors. It works great at the office and when I'm on the road. I also used the Microsoft Surface Pro with a docking station for the two monitors. It had a few bugs early last year, but they have been cleared up and it works wonders. I recommend either one.

    AUD 83
    BEC 78
    FAR 78
    REG 74, 79
    #1440159
    Tncincy
    Participant

    You see that's the upgrade I'm talking about. I have been looking at the Surface pro for a while and still deciding should I fork up the bucks and get it.

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

    #1440351

    @tncincy I bought myself a Surface Pro 3 with the i5 processor in late 2015 when my school laptop died and have really enjoyed it. I regularly plug into my docking station and extend to 3 monitors and it keeps up just fine with the majority of tasks. I also use it as my e-reader and personal entertainment device; the touch input is pretty good with the included stylus, not great for fingers as it's very precise. Battery life is solid, I could probably use it for 6 hours without plugging in. The only thing that I wish it had was upgrade capability to be able to replace RAM or upgrade the SSD eventually. I would still recommend if you spot a good deal and have a good use for it.

    B - 88 (2/16)
    A - 84 (4/16)
    R - 73 (6/16), 82(7/16)
    F - 67 (1/16), 84(4/16)

    Ethics - 93

    Roger course & Ninja MCQ - HiYa!

    #1441736
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    My advice from back in my VITA days. Just get something with a number pad and a wireless mouse. Stay away from tablets

    #1442130
    bucknell39
    Participant

    Anything with at least an Intel i5 CPU and 8GB of memory. Also, a ten-key pad built in is a plus. I would try a 4k tv as a monitor when docked. WinSplit Revolution allows you to split up the tv monitor into 6 quadrants.

    AUD - 84
    BEC - 79
    FAR - 81
    REG - 78
    CPA in PA - Feb 17

    AUD - 84
    BEC - 69,79
    FAR - 70,81
    REG - 81 (expired),78

    #1442183
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @OP You mentioned you're planning to use Proseries. I'm pretty sure that's the one that my “neighbor accountant” used, and I helped him convert to Drake, which is what I'd used when I was in taxes, cause his costs for Proseries were ridiculous. Per-return fees, additional fees for efile, additional fees for each state return, etc. etc., I don't remember exactly what the fees were but something along those lines, and they were nickling and diming him to death. So, make sure you've reviewed the fee structure very thoroughly. In my tax prep days (which granted wasn't for long), I used Drake, and liked it pretty well (though it's the only one I've used, besides Turbotax for personal). Been a little while since I checked the prices, but it was something like $300 for the base system which included 15 returns (counted by social of primary taxpayer, so Mr. Smith with Federal and 10 states still just counted as 1 return), then $15 for each additional return, or unlimited for $1500. If you started out per-return, everything you paid counted towards the unlimited, so after 95 returns (15 initial + 80 per-return), you'd convert for free to unlimited. No additional fees for anything. Though, they did add a cloud storage system that could be bought, but wasn't at all necessary if you had secure storage of your own.

    I'm sure the prices are a little different now, but probably still following the same basic structure.

    EDIT: Just looked up Proseries, and either it's not what he'd used, or they've changed their pricing structure to appear less gouging, cause it looks now like they offer a truly unlimited. They also have per-return and some other options; maybe he'd just selected a package that didn't suit his business? Or maybe he used someone else? Or maybe their pricing structure changed? Either way, I still liked Drake and their pricing structure, but looks like Proseries might not be the one that he was paying ridiculous amounts for.

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