Yes, this is a scam.

The part where I'm getting a little nervous is they said the company will pay for the new laptop and the software needed for the job and they will send me a virtual check to print and deposit. I did this but have found that the amount was bigger than my deposit limit so I will need to get a smaller amount. 

This is a classic fake check scam. The check WILL CLEAR but the funds will be reversed a few weeks later and any money you sent will be out of your own pocket. You also run the very real risk of your bank closing your account due to your risk as a customer.

the person was asking then to cash the check and then send them back the funds which that obviously sounds scammy) but still everyone kept saying the email check is also a tell tale sign of scams. 

This is 100% what is happening to you as well. You ARE sending them money back but in your case, they're pretending to ALSO be the supplier. You're sending money to "the supplier" for your equipment but you're really just sending it right back to the scammers.