If you’re in the market for a laptop for work, an ultraportable model is your best bet. Look for one that’s easy to carry and has a battery life long enough to last through your workday. Pay attention to the display, keyboard, touchpad, and webcam quality, as these features significantly impact the overall user experience. A wide range of ports is also beneficial, allowing you to connect multiple peripherals or external displays without needing a separate dock. Additionally, ensure the laptop has enough processing power to handle your tasks efficiently.
To assist you in your decision, we’ve compiled a list of top recommendations, covering various operating systems and form factors. This comprehensive guide will help you find the perfect laptop to meet your work needs.
Top pick
Pixelbook Go
Editor’s choice
Surface Pro 7
Best value
MacBook Pro
In this article, we’ll review the most popular business laptops, giving you a clear understanding of what to look for and which models are the best fit for your requirements.
1. Google Pixelbook Go
If elegance, performance, and multitasking appeal to you, then we’ve found the perfect laptop. This model offers stellar audio quality, a high-quality 1080p camera, and a magnesium alloy body, providing a premium portable laptop experience that outshines the competition with its beauty and ease of use.
As a Chromebook, the Google Pixelbook Go embodies the essence of Chrome OS, along with some inherent limitations. However, it stands out from other Chromebooks with its large, precise touchpad and a display made from Corning’s Concore Glass. This glass is both durable and offers an excellent visual experience, although it can be expensive to replace if damaged.
The battery can last up to 12 hours or more, perfectly complementing the ultraportable design. The lightweight chassis ensures flawless performance on the go.
The price range varies widely, mainly depending on the power and capacity of the working memory, storage, and processor. The main drawbacks are the high price and the lack of support for a digital stylus.
Pros:
- Luxurious design
- High-quality build
- Amazing battery life with fast charging
- Exceptional audio quality
- Good all-around performance
Cons:
- The price can be discouraging
- Limited by Chrome OS
- Not ideal for those needing extensive raw computing power
2. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Since its release, the Surface Pro 7 hasn’t drastically changed the appearance that the Surface Pro product line has maintained over the last four iterations. The differences between the Surface Pro 7 and its predecessor, the Surface Pro 6, are minimal, limited mainly to color variations and the addition of a USB-C port. However, the real changes lie in the internal components.
Despite its similarities with previous models, this convertible device remains an excellent choice. It functions as a superb drawing, writing, and computing device all in one, truly embodying the “Swiss army knife” of portable tablets and miniature laptops on the market.
The Surface Pro 7 features Intel’s new 10th-gen family of laptop CPUs, ensuring quick operational efficiency. Complemented by Intel Iris Plus Graphics, it offers above-average performance for its class.
Pros:
- Clear and sharp display
- Improved CPU configuration
- Full Windows 10 application library
- Admirable and lightweight build
Cons:
- Not a revolutionary model
- Keyboard sold separately
- Only 2 ports
3. Apple 2019 MacBook Pro
Similar in design to the 16-inch MacBook Pro, this model is a significantly upgraded version of the now-discontinued predecessor. The most notable improvement is the keyboard. With robust keys, a 1mm vertical travel distance, and a comfortable, silent typing experience, this is the best Mac keyboard Apple has ever released, featuring large keycaps and lightning-fast mechanisms.
The aluminum chassis, Thunderbolt 3 ports, and the massive Force Touch trackpad remain intact from previous models. Users will appreciate the 3,072 x 1,920 resolution and numerous small tweaks, showing that Apple has listened to its fans and made significant improvements.
The main selling point of this model is its performance potential. Apple has completely redesigned it, incorporating thinner fan blades, more spacious heatsinks, and additional vents. This model can edit and create content nearly twice as fast as its predecessor, thanks to a custom graphics card based on AMD’s next generation of Zen 2 7nm graphics architecture. No matter the task, this laptop will likely exceed expectations and still have more to offer.
Pros:
- Best Mac keyboard to date
- Excellent choice for content creators
- Incredible audio quality
- Great build quality
- Ultrafast SSD
Cons:
- Its size can be unwieldy
- Lacks a touch-screen option
- High price point
4. Apple 2024 MacBook Air
Although Windows is the most widely used operating system in the corporate world, some of you may prefer or have the option to use a MacBook, especially in this era of remote work. If so, we recommend the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2024), one of the best laptops we’ve tested for both business and personal use.
This ultraportable laptop is incredibly well-built and comes equipped with Apple’s M3 silicon, delivering excellent performance for most productivity tasks, including light photo and video editing. Its 15-inch display provides ample space for split-screen multitasking and gets bright enough to combat glare, even outdoors in broad daylight. Additionally, it features best-in-class battery life, allowing you to comfortably get through a full workday on a single charge.
The user experience is top-notch. The keyboard is spacious and tactile, and the touchpad is large and responsive. The laptop also includes an excellent 1080p webcam, ensuring your colleagues can see and hear you clearly during video calls.
However, the limited port selection is a drawback, with only two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports available. While these can connect to two external monitors, this only works if the lid is closed. This can be an issue if you prefer using an external monitor or need a more compact device for on-the-go use.
Pros:
- Well-built and easy to carry around
- Sharp, bright display
- Comfortable keyboard and large touchpad
- All-day battery life
- M3 SoC can handle some demanding tasks
Cons:
- Limited port selection
- Some thermal throttling under load
5. Microsoft Surface Pro 8
If you like the 2-in-1 tablet form factor, consider the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 (2021), one of the best laptops for both business and personal use we’ve tested. The keyboard is detachable, saving space when consuming media or making the device easier to hold. The built-in kickstand allows you to tilt the screen to an almost flat position for note-taking or drawing with a stylus. It works with Microsoft’s Slim Pen 2, though any Microsoft Pen Protocol stylus will work.
The Slim Pen 2 supports 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt, making it ideal for digital artists and creators, and it even features a haptic engine that simulates the feel of writing or drawing on paper. Note that the keyboard and stylus must be purchased separately, which increases the overall cost.
The keyboard is very comfortable, especially for a type cover keyboard, and there’s a slot at the top to store and charge the Microsoft Slim Pen 2. Its 1080p webcam is excellent and among the best on the market, and it even has a back-facing camera for taking photos for your projects or sharing.
For ports, you get two USB-C ports, a proprietary Surface Connect charging port, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The USB-C ports support Thunderbolt 4, allowing you to transfer files quickly and connect two 4K, 60Hz displays with a single cable. Battery life is around seven hours of light use, which is on the shorter side but reasonable for a tablet PC.
Pros:
- Easy to carry around
- Bright and sharp display
- Detachable keyboard for media consumption
- Clear-sounding speakers
Cons:
- Battery lasts less than six hours for video playback
- Blacks look gray in dim settings
- Speakers don’t get very loud
How to Choose the Best Business Laptop
A business laptop differs significantly from one used for entertainment or gaming. It requires specific features that enhance productivity in any environment. Here’s a guide to help you choose the best business laptop.
Performance
The performance of a laptop is crucial. It should boot up quickly, open various files swiftly, and handle multiple browser tabs efficiently. A high-performing laptop ensures smooth operation regardless of the workload.
Processor
For business laptops, aim for at least an Intel Core i5 processor, which can handle office work, image editing, and multiple browser tabs. For more demanding tasks like video editing, an Intel Core i7 or higher (or an equivalent AMD processor) is ideal. A good processor for a business laptop should strike a balance between price and performance.
Storage
Modern laptops typically come with SSDs (Solid State Drives), which offer high data transfer speeds and greater durability compared to traditional HDDs (Hard Disk Drives). If budget is a concern, an HDD can be a more affordable option, though it is prone to wear and tear over time.
RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory) allows the system to process data, complete tasks, and run multiple applications simultaneously. For business purposes, 4 to 16 GB of RAM is recommended, with more RAM providing better and faster performance.
Resolution
Resolution affects the pixel density and image quality on the screen. Most business laptops have displays of 15.6 inches or smaller, so extremely high resolution is not necessary. HD (1,366 x 768 pixels) and FHD (1,920 x 1,080) resolutions are typically sufficient for various work projects.
Battery Life
For work outside the office, such as client meetings or commuting, battery life is important. Modern laptops can offer 8 to 12 hours of battery life, though this can decrease with demanding tasks.
Security
Security is paramount for a business laptop, as it will contain work-related documents and tools. Look for features like fingerprint locks or Windows Hello for enhanced security.
By considering these features, you can find a business laptop that meets your productivity needs and suits your working environment.
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