Forensic laptop sug...
 
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Forensic laptop suggestion

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(@fraudit)
Posts: 72
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Topic starter
 

Since I have to perform a lot of works on site, not at my office, I need a powerful notebook in order to do so.

I've been using HP elitebook 8560w (i7-2630QM, Quadro M1000, 32GB, 2xHDD - 256 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD), but I'm not very satisfied with it since it's very noisy and generates a lot of heat (well, those two features are connected…) even when not performing power-consuming operations. It's two years old now and I've already had my screen replaced twice, USB 2.0 ports stopped working and the keyboard produces strange squicks (almost from the beginning). Another upsetting thing is that it cannot generate a sharp picture at the same time on its own display and external monitor - the details on one of them are always blurred (the resolution is the same on both displays). I'm also not a big fan of a local HP service, but that's a common thing I believe…

Anyway, I've been thinking on something new. Let's leave the costs aside for a while as I can customize a lot of models to my needs. The problem I'm facing is a common shortage of ports in available models - I'd like to have as many USB 3.0 ports as possible (and as many powered as possible), DisplayPort + VGA connector, eSATA connector. Another thing is the keyboard - with a numeric block necessarily and full-size arrow keys (why there are in 99% some strange ideas with those keys?).

I've found XNOTE P377SM-A (build on a Clevo platform) that is powerful, rich-featured and highly customizable (but it doesn't have DisplayPort…) but I have no experience with this brand. The really powerful config would cost around $ 3,500-4,000 (VAT included - Europe…). Do you have any comments on that model/manufacturer?

Can you come up with another brand / model worth considering as a forensic laptop?

 
Posted : 14/05/2014 4:14 pm
jaclaz
(@jaclaz)
Posts: 5133
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NOT what you have asked, mind you 😯 , but maybe of some use.

I don't believe that you are going to do "on-site" work relying on laptop batteries. ?
Or holding your laptop on your actual lap, right?

So, if you have "on-site" a mains connection (and a desk/table/whatever place to rest your apparata), you could think of making a paradigm shift wink and move from "laptop" to "portable".

Modern laptops are actually (IMHO) disguised stoves, they heat like hell, with - usually - insufficient cooling (and a large part of this is because of the senselessly high-power video card, which, unless you do some hardcore gaming in the pauses or you use on-site it's GPU for some serious password cracking you don't really-really need).

So what if you get a decent mini-itx (example)
http//uk.hardware.info/reviews/5144/13-mini-itx-motherboards-for-intel-4th-generation-core-processors
(or even thin-mini-itx) motherboard
http//www.gigabyte.com/microsite/348/images/overview.html
and build yourself an all-in-one (possibly bolted to the back of a 15" or 17" LCD screen) or used as "brick PC"?

I believe you have anyway to carry on site any number of boxes/suitcases (for tools, storage drives, writeblockers, evidence bags/containers/*what not*) so I don't think having a slightly less "portable" portable would be a real issue, but you will save quite a bit of money, have more flexibility and be able to replace components easily.

And there are now very small UPS's, just another "brick" to add.

jaclaz

 
Posted : 14/05/2014 9:39 pm
(@fraudit)
Posts: 72
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Topic starter
 

Thanks for this, jaclaz! I haven't considered that but it sounds like something to give a thought about!

Certainly I don't rely on batteries, as they get drained way too fast when processing data. I always insist on having a room / desk with the guaranteed power source that is connected to the company / building UPS system (of course my wish is not always fulfilled).

In fact you're right by pointing at portability at the cost of laptop-based solutions. However, many of the manufacturers offer what they call portable workstations, which are in fact elephant-weight & size laptops ) . I don't mind carrying such a beast and don't expect it to weight 2-3 kilos.

Still, the laptop concept seems to work best for me due to ease of transport and minimum care arrangements. This doesn't mean I'm stick to portability in terms of dimensions and/or weight - it's rather the shape.

 
Posted : 14/05/2014 10:16 pm
jaclaz
(@jaclaz)
Posts: 5133
Illustrious Member
 

This doesn't mean I'm stick to portability in terms of dimensions and/or weight - it's rather the shape.

Yep ) , but one can use some fantasy.
From this
http//reddeerdialogue.blogspot.it/2007/03/first-computer.html
to this
http//resource.mmgn.com/Gallery/normal/Commodore-SX-64-1041428.jpg
to this
http//www.recycledgoods.com/product/38780-hm-10397-suitcase-computer-w-screen-&-keyboard
to this 😉
http//eeepc.net/poor-mans-netbook-goes-up-for-bidding-on-ebay/
there is a common evolution trend.

Not really what I had in mind, but simple, cheap and effective
http//englishrussia.com/2009/02/03/the-mobile-computer/

A readily available "portable case" (more on the "brick" PC idea)
http//www.lian-li.com/en/dt_portfolio/pc-tu100/

jaclaz

 
Posted : 14/05/2014 11:41 pm
(@webbo)
Posts: 10
Active Member
 

i was in the same situation as yourself, finally obtained a Desktop replacemnt HP Elitebook 8570. Does the job nicely but dont ask me for the spec as i dont have a clue. It has backlit keyboard as well as the number keypad, but only small arrow keys. Good luck.

 
Posted : 03/06/2014 5:38 pm
(@fraudit)
Posts: 72
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

Hmmm… I don't think I'll trust HP in the nearest future. roll

Finally I've decided to purchase Dell Precision M4800 (with i7 4900MQ) - it has a rich equipment, including many I/O ports, perfectly working keyboard (well, the test model had…) and two cooling systems which I hope will cope with heat such a best will undoubtedly produce 😉

 
Posted : 03/06/2014 11:09 pm
jhup
 jhup
(@jhup)
Posts: 1442
Noble Member
 

I just discovered PC part picker.

It is the coolest thing since 0K.

It saved me from some great headaches.

Why Intel, why did you have to change the naming? What was wrong with 186, 296, 386, 486 and so on? What have I done to you to deserve this?cry

 
Posted : 04/06/2014 12:13 am
jaclaz
(@jaclaz)
Posts: 5133
Illustrious Member
 

What have I done to you to deserve this? cry

It is not what you have done.

It is what you have NOT DONE! 😯

If you had (at the right time) kicked (the right) a**es and kicked 'em hard enough, this would not have happened.

You are guilty by omission roll wink .

jaclaz

 
Posted : 04/06/2014 11:41 pm
(@scotchbroth)
Posts: 10
Active Member
 

I use laptops from Malibal.com. eSata, USB 3, Full Keyboard, back lit, You can customize from there.

 
Posted : 05/06/2014 1:17 am
(@fraudit)
Posts: 72
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

I use laptops from Malibal.com. eSata, USB 3, Full Keyboard, back lit, You can customize from there.

Hmmm… Looking at their specs and design, I'd bet a couple of dollars they are based on the Clevo platform ) As mentioned earlier, I've considered it but finally decided not to give them a try. I have one company that distributes them in my country, so I was a bit afraid about the service issues.

As some of you know, our devices tend to break when they are urgently needed 😉 Dell offered 3-year warranty, door-to-door and next day service visit. It may not be "the top of the pops" but I believe it's sufficient.

Nevertheless, if anyone uses Dell for computer forensics, I'd be grateful to share your comments and observations.

 
Posted : 05/06/2014 4:17 pm
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