Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
June 29, 2025: With this update, we replaced the out-of-stock HP EliteBook 1040 G11 with the newer HP EliteBook X G1a as our Best Laptop for Enterprise Fleets. Also, we added the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition as our new Best Business Ultraportable. Since our previous update, we have tested and evaluated eight new laptops for potential inclusion in this and our other laptop buying guides.
- A nearly perfect portable PC
- Remarkably light
- Gorgeous 2.8K OLED display
- Fine keyboard
- Generous array of ports for its size and profile
- No SD or microSD card slot
- WWAN option not available yet
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition is the best business laptop, period. Combining exceptional performance with a sleek, ultralight design, this 2.17-pound work machine might be the best AI PC we’ve seen yet. This ThinkPad takes a blend of killer features and leading performance, updated with an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, AI features, and intelligent operating modes to keep the laptop at its best, no matter what you need to do. It’s a feathery dream machine, from the carbon fiber, magnesium, and aluminum construction to the 2.8K OLED display, generous port selection, and nearly 20 hours of battery life. Given its perfect rating, anyone fortunate enough to own this laptop will be thoroughly impressed.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition is built for demanding pros and executive budgets, offering a pricey ultraportable for those who want one of the lightest designs without sacrificing power. IT departments will love it for its reliability and business-ready features. Travelers will cherish the lightweight, robust design. And Lenovo fans will be relieved to see that it still has a red TrackPoint in the middle of the keyboard.
Class
Business, Ultraportable
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 by 1800
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
Manual
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Arc Graphics 140V
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.56 by 12.3 by 8.5 inches
Weight
2.17 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
19:49
Learn More
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition Review
- Stunning 4K OLED touch screen
- Blazing performance for its size
- Elegant build with snappy keyboard
- Not quite as fast or expandable as heavier rivals
- No USB-A ports or webcam shutter
- Mega expensive, as most mobile workstations are
You need a workstation laptop to get more raw power than the average business machine, and the best is the Dell Precision 5690. This beefy machine weighs nearly five pounds and houses AI-enhanced Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processing paired with a potent Nvidia RTX 5000 Ada GPU. Its portability makes it suitable for on-the-go professionals. The feature set is equally impressive, with an outstanding 4K OLED touch screen, a snappy keyboard, and capable connectivity with Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and Wi-Fi 7 that match the impressive hardware.
Workstations are built for the most demanding uses, making this a laptop for professional applications like computer-aided design (CAD), architecture, CGI rendering and animation, engineering, and data science. Creatives and engineers alike will appreciate the 16-inch 4K OLED panel, the comfortable keyboard, and the portability. This kind of power doesn’t come cheap, but when you need it, it’s the tool for the job.
Class
Workstation
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Secondary Drive Type
SSD
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
3840 by 2400
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia RTX 5000 Ada
Graphics Memory
16 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.87 by 13.9 by 9.5 inches
Weight
4.46 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
17:11
Learn More
Dell Precision 5690 Review
- Aggressive starting price for ThinkPad line
- Delivers to traditional ThinkPad build quality and keyboard
- Decent array of ports
- Not the brightest, nor the most colorful, display
- No SD card slot
- Wi-Fi 6—not 6E
If you want a capable business laptop at an aggressively low price, the Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 is the budget work machine to get. With a starting price of less than $600, you’ll get a rock-solid productivity laptop outfitted with a 16-inch display, an ample port selection, Lenovo’s best-in-class keyboard, and your choice of Intel or AMD processors. The laptop dons Lenovo’s classic black ThinkPad aesthetic, with excellent build quality and relatively few compromises for the bargain price.
If you want a business laptop at a budget price, the Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 is the easy choice. While this laptop is aimed at small and mid-size businesses, you don’t need an extensive fleet of work machines to appreciate it. If you need the reliability of the ThinkPad brand but need to stick to a modest budget, this is the best cost-effective choice.
Class
Business, Budget, Desktop Replacement
Processor
Intel Core i5-1335U
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
Hard Drive
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Wireless Networking
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.77 by 14 by 9.8 inches
Weight
3.9 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
11:57
Learn More
Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 Review
- Sleek, slim, and light
- Sensibly priced
- Gorgeous 2.8K OLED touch screen
- Above-average audio
- Not Lenovo’s best keyboard
- No USB-A port or SD/microSD card slot
- No mobile broadband option
The Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition may not be as thin, light, or premium as Lenovo’s near-perfect Carbon series of laptops, but it’s still a superb midrange ultraportable. This better-priced, slim, portable laptop has a stunning 2.8K OLED display, high-quality audio, and decent speed from an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V processor and Intel Arc Graphics 130V. If you want a reliable work machine that’s light enough for portability and capable enough to compete with premium systems, the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition is a fantastic business ultraportable to pick.
Built for small to mid-size businesses and designed for travelling and commuting, the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition is excellent for anyone looking for a reliable, high-quality laptop without the premium price tag of flagship models. Think of this as Lenovo’s answer to the inimitable MacBook Air.
Class
Business, Ultraportable
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 5 226V
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 by 1800
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
Dynamic
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Arc Graphics 130V
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.51 by 12.3 by 8.4 inches
Weight
2.74 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
19:31
Learn More
Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition Review
- Speedy performance
- Handsome 2.8K OLED touch screen
- Robust Wolf security
- HP finally arranges the arrow keys properly
- Expensive
- 10 ounces overweight
- No mobile broadband option or SD/microSD card slot
- Dubious AI hype
When your company needs to buy laptops by the bushel, we recommend the HP EliteBook X G1a, which is excellent for corporate environments that require reliable, bulk-purchased laptops for employees. The HP offers speedy performance for demanding tasks, a handsome 2.8K OLED touch screen, and an improved keyboard layout that actually has us liking HP laptops a little more. It also has cool features like HP AI Companion, which runs local AI tools that can securely handle your documents, and HP’s Wolf Security suite to deliver robust protections for data, providing peace of mind for business.
This is clearly a laptop built for pros, but it’s ideal for enterprise fleets managed by IT teams, especially for organizations that value both aesthetics and practicality in their business laptops, despite the higher price point.
Class
Business
Processor
AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX Pro 375
RAM (as Tested)
64 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 by 1800
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
Dynamic
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
AMD Radeon 890M Graphics
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.52 by 12.3 by 8.5 inches
Weight
3.3 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
12:28
Learn More
HP EliteBook X G1a Review
- Blazing M4 performance outclasses high-end Intel laptops
- Unmatched 28-hour-plus battery life
- Stunning Retina XDR display with HDR and 120Hz refresh rate
- Upgraded 12MP camera
- Versatile port selection
- Camera still limited to 1080p video
- Keyboard/trackpad design unchanged from previous models
- Graphics lag behind last year’s top-end M3 Pro and M3 Max
You just can’t beat the 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro for general business use on macOS. Armed with the new M4 processor, it delivers blazing performance for productivity and content creation, proving that even the basic model in the Pro lineup is a capable professional machine. With performance that rivals high-end Intel systems and battery life that will stretch through a working weekend, this is a high-quality work machine for the Apple set. The generous port selection and impressive Retina XDR display are as quality as ever, and the bump from 8GB to 16GB in the default configuration is a welcome step up.
For professionals who need long battery life and powerful performance, the MacBook Pro 14-inch with M4 is ideal for professionals who do everything from productivity to media creation. And the long battery life is excellent for traveling pros, too. If you need even more power, you can step up to the 16-inch model (available with M4 Pro and M4 Max processors), but most office workers will be thrilled with the level of power the M4 MacBook Pro provides.
Class
Desktop Replacement
Processor
Apple M4 (10-core)
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
14.2 inches
Native Display Resolution
3024 by 1964
Panel Technology
Mini LED
Variable Refresh Support
ProMotion
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Apple M4 (10-core)
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.61 by 12.3 by 8.7 inches
Weight
3.4 lbs
Operating System
Apple macOS Sequoia
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
28:33
Learn More
Apple MacBook Pro 14-Inch (2024, M4) Review
- Blazing performance with generous memory
- Handsome OLED touch screen
- DialPad touchpad for creator apps
- Sleek, sturdy construction
- Irksome AI robo-mouse assistant
- No mobile broadband option
Not every professional needs tools for content creation, but if you do, you know it’s tough finding a laptop that meets your needs and makes the IT department happy. That’s why we like the Asus ProArt PX13, which ticks all the right boxes, from a handsome OLED touch screen that enhances visual work to power and performance ideal for demanding creative applications. The sleek and sturdy construction will fit in at client meetings, the 13-inch 2-in-1 design is portable enough to take on the go, and an integrated Asus DialPad touchpad is designed explicitly for creator apps. The ProArt PX13 is our top pick for a creator’s laptop with business sensibilities and performance that rivals high-end competitors.
The Asus ProArt PX13 is built for professionals who also need to do creative work. It combines a colorful display and intuitive built-in tools with a flexible, portable, and convertible design. It’s got the power for Adobe Creative Suite and other tools, the versatility from a 360-degree hinge, and the MIL-STD 810H durability for frequent traveling or commuting to make for a top-tier creator laptop.
Class
Convertible 2-in-1, Ultraportable
Processor
AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
13.3 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 by 1800
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
6 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.7 by 11.7 by 8.3 inches
Weight
3.04 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
14:30
Learn More
Asus ProArt PX13 Review
- Metal design
- Comfortable keyboard and touchpad
- Excellent battery life
- Good port selection
- Enterprise management features
- No professional screen options
- Lightweight graphics performance
- Wi-Fi 6E, not 7
The HP ZBook Power 16 G11 A makes the cut by combining professional-grade workstation power with enterprise management features and a reasonable price tag. The machine is impressive, from its spacious display and potent performance to the durable aluminum chassis. Driven by an AMD Ryzen 9 Pro 8945HS CPU and Nvidia RTX 3000 Ada Generation graphics, it’s one of the few AMD-based workstations on the market. On top of that, we admire the system’s excellent port selection, comfortable keyboard, and long battery life. Its only real drawback is that color-critical work will require connecting to a better monitor because this budget-friendly model’s display isn’t pro-grade.
Whether you’re a pro in a big company who needs reliable project rendering performance without blowing your department budget or an individual who wants power for content creation, the HP ZBook Power 16 G11 A is a potent and reliable system. The system even comes with a decent-size display without the usual steep cost of workstation hardware, making it our favorite for frugal professionals.
Class
Workstation
Processor
AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS
Processor Speed
4 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
64 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
4 TB
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 by 1600
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia RTX 3000 Ada
Graphics Memory
8 GB
Wireless Networking
802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.9 by 14.15 by 9.21 inches
Weight
4.5 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
15:58
Learn More
HP ZBook Power 16 G11 A Review
- Classy, compact build
- Excellent keyboard
- Full array of connections, including HDMI and microSD
- Slightly dim display
- Half a pound overweight
- Wi-Fi 6, not 6E or 7
Lenovo’s ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 Gen 4 is our favorite 2-in-1 laptop for work thanks to its superior build quality, fantastic keyboard, and wide port selection. It’s a high-value laptop, from its basic 1,920-by-1,200 IPS touch screen and baseline Wi-Fi 6 to the backlit keyboard, which drops the iconic Lenovo TrackPoint outright. But the aluminum build is robust, the Intel Core Ultra 5 CPU is competent, and an included Lenovo Active Pen makes the 2-in-1 design work. It’s not glitzy but is as potent as it is approachable, winning our Editors’ Choice award for business 2-in-1 laptops.
Whether you’re a small-business proprietor with little financial headroom or a contract staffer providing your own equipment for mobile work, the Lenovo ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 Gen 4 is a practical, low-price solution for daily tasks in an office or home office. This ThinkBook provides ample portability and performance while remaining cost-effective.
Class
Business, Convertible 2-in-1
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Graphics
Wireless Networking
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.66 by 12.3 by 8.8 inches
Weight
3.61 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
20:37
Learn More
Lenovo ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 Gen 4 Review
- Gorgeous OLED touch screen
- Kickstand cover and above-average keyboard included
- Dual high-quality cameras
- SD card slot
- Affordable price
- Pen not included
- Scanty port selection and no headphone jack
- Arm software compatibility concerns
- No WWAN option
The Asus ProArt PZ13 is our favorite detachable Windows tablet for work thanks to its superb value, premium OLED display, and professional-grade performance. Between its portable design and included accessories—a keyboard cover and kickstand—it’s not only a great device, but it’s also a competitive alternative to the latest Microsoft Surface Pro. The tablet’s sturdy construction, vibrant display, and Snapdragon-powered performance (the Surface Pro uses Snapdragon CPUs now, too) bridge the work and creative worlds, all for a reasonable price. With nearly 18 hours of battery life and a potent combination of accessories and features, the ProArt PZ13 is the best Windows detachable tablet for business.
The Asus ProArt PZ13 is an excellent choice for creative professionals and business multitaskers. Its stunning OLED screen and Pantone validation make it ideal for graphic designers, digital artists, and video editors who require a vibrant, high-quality display for color accuracy and detail. Additionally, its portability allows creative professionals to work on projects in just about any location, whether that’s in a studio, at a client meeting, or while traveling.
Class
Detachable 2-in-1
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-42-100)
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
13.3 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 by 1800
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Qualcomm Adreno GPU
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Dimensions (HWD)
0.35 by 11.7 by 8 inches
Weight
1.87 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
17:47
Learn More
Asus ProArt PZ13 Review
- Affordable
- Comfortable keyboard
- Decent array of ports
- Economy-class screen
- Wi-Fi 6, not 6E or 7
Running your business on a shoestring? Then look no further than the Lenovo ThinkBook 16 Gen 7. Its affordable price—barely more than $800—makes it accessible for small businesses. Lenovo quality means that it will hold up to the rigors of daily work. The comfortable keyboard is a big plus, and the port selection won’t leave you feeling shortchanged.
Whether you’re a small business on a budget or a solo professional who needs a reliable desktop replacement, the Lenovo ThinkBook 16 Gen 7 lets you prioritize price without giving up performance or essential features.
Class
Desktop Replacement, Business, Budget
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Graphics
Wireless Networking
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.69 by 14.1 by 10 inches
Weight
3.74 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
16:46
Learn More
Lenovo ThinkBook 16 Gen 7 Review
- Incredible battery life
- World-class keyboard
- Decent array of ports
- Trim, light design
- Screen not the sharpest
- OLED and WWAN options not yet available
- Windows Camera glitches
Lenovo’s ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 (Snapdragon) grabs new territory as the first Arm-based Windows clamshell laptop we recommend for work. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X CPU makes this slim, feathery business laptop a modern alternative to traditional x86 processors, adding Copilot+ AI PC features. The fresh AI tools are enjoyable, but the easier highlights are amazing all-day battery life, a top-tier keyboard, effective connectivity, and a lithe, portable design ready to work on your desk or on the commute.
Professionals prioritizing battery life and typing comfort will appreciate the fresh ThinkPad T14s Gen 6. Naturally, this Snapdragon laptop provides an extra-special experience for anyone looking to explore Arm-based computing and modern AI tools in a work context. This is a smart laptop choice for some organizations looking to get ahead of the AI wave.
Class
Business, Ultraportable
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-78-100)
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Qualcomm Adreno GPU
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.67 by 12.4 by 8.6 inches
Weight
2.72 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro (64-bit ARM)
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
33:33
Learn More
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 (Snapdragon) Review
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The Best Work Laptops for 2025
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Buying Guide: The Best Work Laptops for 2025
Every laptop benefits from a speedy CPU, a bright screen, a comfortable keyboard, and long battery life, but let’s look at what separates business-grade laptops from consumer models.
What Is a Business-Grade Laptop?
The makers of business models add features to meet specific office needs, such as secure logins (via biometric fingerprint readers, facial recognition, or SmartCard IDs) and sturdy designs that have passed MIL-STD 810G or the even more severe 810H tests against road hazards like shock and vibration. (First responders and field workers may require even tougher rugged laptops.)
IT departments appreciate fleet deployment and remote manageability functions like those provided by laptops with Intel vPro processors and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) support for secure access. Enterprises also prefer Windows 11 Pro over the consumer-oriented Windows 11 Home (or sometimes a business-focused Linux distribution) and look for laptops with less bloatware or fewer extraneous bundled programs. Business machines look similar, with so many thin black and silver notebooks on the market. Still, the differences that matter most to office users are below the surface, inside the chassis.
(Credit: Brian Westover)
The line between tablets and laptops is also blurring in the business machine world. Once, the two were separated by operating systems, but now, several tablets aimed at businesses run authentic versions of Windows. Some of these tablets even have physical, detachable keyboards.
But make no mistake, conventional clamshell-style laptops still rule in the business sphere, and choosing the right one can determine whether you run a successful company or one that suffers from too much downtime. Let’s walk through essential business laptop features, the components you’ll need, and—also important—how to distinguish between a business laptop and a consumer one.
Which Laptop Processor Is Best for Office Work?
Choosing a suitable processor for your business machines can be a little complicated, but we have a few rules of thumb to bear in mind, whether you’re shopping for a personal work machine or upgrading the IT fleet for your whole company.
We recommend choosing the latest processor generation whenever possible. The latest chips will feature newer capabilities and current and ongoing support. Doing so pushes the unavoidable future upgrade back further than if you started with last year’s hardware.
Next, it helps to know what class of processor you need. Our guide to choosing a laptop CPU provides our most detailed advice, but for business users, we have some rules of thumb you should know.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
The lowest-end processors, like Intel’s classic Pentium CPUs (the newest are now just dubbed “Intel Processors,” minus the “Pentium”), aren’t meant for daily work but would be a decent fit for powering a sales kiosk or running signage. Next-step-up basic processors, like Intel’s Core i3, Core 3, and Core Ultra 3, are suited to simple work like writing up documents and browsing the web. If the most demanding program you run is PowerPoint, then a basic processor will suit you just fine.
For more demanding work, you’ll look to more productivity-focused options. On Intel, these are Core i5 and i7 chips (with upper-end business machines gravitating toward the newer Intel Core Ultra 5 and Ultra 7 CPUs). Apple’s M4 processors fill out the same category on MacBooks. In contrast, AMD’s Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 processors are suitable for office users who do light video editing or need to power through large spreadsheets and datasets. (The very newest machines may use AMD Ryzen AI 300-series processors.)
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
If you need more even horsepower for number crunching, heavier media creation, or even workstation-grade processing, look to Intel’s Core i9 (which lives alongside the company’s new Core Ultra chips for now), Apple’s M4 Max, and AMD’s Ryzen 9 CPUs. These will almost always be paired with powerful discrete graphics and plenty of RAM. Check out our guide to mobile workstations to find out what specifics you should consider if you’re shopping in this zone.
Finally, consider the form factor. As a rule, Intel’s H- and HX-series chips will deliver the highest power for the most demanding uses and will be found in mobile workstations and creator laptops, while U-series CPUs are made for midrange thin-and-light laptops. (AMD uses similar letters to designate its laptop processors in the same way: H for performance and U for portability.) Ultraportable laptops generally use lower-wattage chips, typically around 15 watts from U-series chips, with wattage driving up to 45W or higher in workstations. But, even with the U-series models, the basic tiers provide good, better, and best in terms of processing power.
How Much RAM Do I Need in a Work Laptop?
The basic rule of thumb regarding laptop memory is this: Always ask for more, within reason. RAM is random access memory, the computer’s short-term memory used for running apps and multitasking.
Just like you would benefit from better short-term memory, having more RAM allows you to run more tasks at once and do them with less lag time, fewer hiccups, and larger files.
As a general rule, we recommend that the rank-and-file office worker have at least 8GB of RAM, which is the realistic floor for any decent Windows laptop these days. However, with on-device AI becoming more popular in the office and file sizes generally increasing, 16GB is a better memory minimum. But if you’re expecting to work with huge files, complex spreadsheets, or engineering-grade programs, at least 32GB is recommended.
How Much Storage Do I Need in a Work Laptop?
With businesses using video, multimedia PowerPoint slides, and multi-megapixel photos in staff meetings, virtual and in-person, opting for a spacious drive is a smart idea. Traditional platter drives, though, are essentially goners at this point, except in refurbished or used older models of business laptops. (At this point, you not only should shun them but you will likely be starved of options.)
That said, we’re huge fans of the solid-state boot drives that have replaced them, and all new business laptops have moved over to them at this point. While pricier per gigabyte in their storage capacities, solid-state drives (SSDs) don’t have any spinning parts and are far better suited to take a licking on the road. SSD-equipped systems also boot and launch apps more quickly. Capacities of 256GB or 512GB will anchor most base models. We wouldn’t go below 512GB in a new machine; 1TB is a decent minimum target for power users.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Optical drives have disappeared on business laptops, barring a few specialized rugged models for niche applications. If you need to retrieve older files or records stored on CDs or DVDs, an external disc drive can help; that’s a smarter move than buying an older, bulky laptop equipped with an optical drive if you know you’re not quite done shuffling discs yet.
Integrated vs. Dedicated: What Graphics Should You Get in a Work Laptop?
Most business PCs come with integrated graphics chips, a lightweight graphics acceleration solution that’s part of the main CPU. These integrated GPUs are usually OK for business laptops since you won’t be playing 3D games on a computer meant for work. (Right?) Unless a laptop has a separate GPU, it will use integrated graphics, usually named “Intel UHD Graphics” or “Iris Xe Graphics” (or, in the latest Intel Core Ultra-based models, “Intel Arc Graphics”). AMD’s chips use the name Radeon Graphics.
Most professionals who require discrete graphics will use them for specialized tasks such as GPU acceleration in Photoshop, high-definition video creation in Adobe Premiere Pro, or 3D graphics visualization in architectural drawings and CAD software. Mobile workstation-class laptops usually come with discrete graphics for their 3D capabilities or to drive multiple monitors.
While a few professional laptops will get the Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics cards you’d typically find in a higher-end consumer laptop or gaming machine, most will get an extra boost with Nvidia’s professional GPU lines. Recent models use Nvidia’s RTX A or RTX “Ada” series or (rarely) AMD’s Radeon Pro line. Keep on the lookout for Nvidia’s latest “Blackwell”-based RTX Pro laptop GPUs in high-end power-user work laptops in 2025.
The exception to this rule is Apple, which builds pro-level graphics processing right into its higher-end chips. While the basic M4-powered MacBook Pros may be limited to some light photo and video editing, the beefier M4 Pro and M4 Max processors in the latest MacBook Pro models contain the same level of graphics power as a Windows system with a dedicated GPU for work tasks.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado))
As for the display panel, LCD screens with 1,366-by-768-pixel resolution are still available if you’re trying to save some money on your laptop—but absolutely avoid them. Your eyes will thank you for upgrading to at least a 1,920-by-1,080-pixel display that uses in-plane switching (IPS) technology. This combination will ensure that you have plenty of space for displaying many columns of numbers in Excel or arranging many windows on the screen at once. This also ensures your coworkers can see them from any angle while clustering around your desk.
For graphics or scientific work, a 1600p or 4K display still provides more real estate, as well as sharper text and more detailed visuals. Though these are still fairly uncommon fixtures on business laptops, they’re emerging at least as options in some isolated models and are worth the money if your job will use extra pixels. Just know that all else being equal, a high-resolution screen will drain battery life more rapidly than a lower-res one of the same base technology.
Stay Connected: Wired and Wireless Options
An effective and fast wireless connectivity loadout is essential in any business machine these days. Offices, airports, and client sites demand wireless connectivity to access real-time email, messaging clients, and cloud services. Few businesspeople work fully locally anymore.
Every laptop these days has some flavor of Wi-Fi built in. Most should deliver satisfactory throughput, but you’ll need to find (or provide, if you’re an IT buyer) a hotspot to avoid unprotected networks for online work outside of the office. Look for dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) Wi-Fi for the best flexibility for your IT organization. The most common kind nowadays, 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), runs primarily on 5GHz networks but will work with 2.4GHz networks as a fallback. The premium alternative at the moment is Wi-Fi 6E, but the newest standard, Wi-Fi 7, should quickly gain traction.
Offices in high-density buildings may wish to use the less-populated 5GHz bands, as the 2.4GHz channels tend to get more crowded. Some budget business laptops still come with older 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5. These are still adequate for most small and medium businesses, but they indicate an older laptop you might want to avoid for other reasons.
Don’t discount reliable old Ethernet entirely: You’ll still need it for crowded conferences with saturated Wi-Fi. So, if your laptop is too thin to house an Ethernet jack, a USB-to-Ethernet adapter is a worthwhile investment. (One might come in the box.)
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
These difficulties are partly why some business laptops have built-in mobile broadband wireless modems as options. They work in tandem with available cellular networks to bring broadband speeds to your laptop wherever you find a cellular signal available. You can configure many business laptops with one of these modems integrated for a nominal fee; this option is one of the key distinguishing features of business laptops.
Constant connectivity is a standard option for business laptops, but it doesn’t come cheap. A 5G wireless connection can run up a hefty monthly fee. Still, with widely available coverage and service plans from top cellular providers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, it’s an excellent way to stay connected for work on the road. Mobile hotspots and smartphone tethering are also available if you don’t want to buy internal modems for all your employees; they’re a quick fix if you only need mobile internet part-time.
Keep Running: How to Get the Best Laptop Battery Life
A big battery can be your best friend on a lengthy flight or a long commute. Business laptops usually come with multiple battery options. Some enterprise-class laptops have two or three different kinds of batteries (four-, six-, and nine-cell options). More cells mean longer battery life, all else being equal. The “equal” is the tricky part; this isn’t always the case with laptops that use 4K displays or other power-hungry components. A big battery adds some heft, but being able to run it unplugged from dawn ’til dusk is worth the weight gain.
Ultraportable laptops generally have non-removable, sealed-in batteries. Laptops with removable batteries still exist, but they are quite uncommon, limited mostly to rugged tablets and laptops designed for extreme conditions.
2-in-1 Laptops: Are They Good for Work?
Price and portability are arguably the biggest reasons why a business might consider a Windows-based tablet for work. Some tablets sell for less than $500 and can quickly adapt to a corporate environment. While specialized (i.e., expensive) tablets have been in vertical markets, such as healthcare, for years, the ubiquity of the Apple iPad means that people are used to carrying a computer that doesn’t have a physical keyboard or that uses a detachable, basic one.
You might look for a Windows tablet if you need to run critical in-house or third-party apps created initially for PCs but that emphasize touch or pen input. True enterprise-class Windows tablets are still evolving, but most business users expect their work computers to behave like their personal tablets. Apple fans will have to be content with using the iPad or iPad Pro for business, as a tablet-optimized version of macOS doesn’t exist.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Most Windows tablets are built to surf the web, run Office apps, and perform other super-light computing tasks. Still, they are also compatible with the gamut of security applications, VPN and email clients, and countless hardware peripherals such as printers, scanners, and network-attached storage (NAS) devices. We wouldn’t run an entire business on a tablet, but one can be a helpful take-along unit for an offsite meeting or as a portable alternative to your six-pound big-screen bruiser of a workstation. Microsoft (with its Surface line) and Lenovo (with its ThinkPad variants) are the key players for business Windows tablets in this market.
The Best Chromebooks for Work: Simple and Affordable
With the cloud becoming omnipresent at work and home alike, Chromebooks are more viable options than ever for laptops devoted to work activities. These laptops are restricted to using Google’s ChromeOS, which began as a souped-up version of the popular web browser. Android apps from the Google Play Store (such as the Microsoft Office suite or Adobe Photoshop Lightroom) extend Chromebooks’ abilities, but they often lack features found on the Windows-based versions of the same programs. Businesses that run their core applications on the Google suite may find Chromebooks helpful under certain circumstances, though, as emailing and communications stations. The latest models even have Intel vPro IT manageability and security tech built in.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
A Chromebook could be enough if web-based collaboration is critical to your workflow. Because Chromebooks don’t need powerful hardware to run most web apps, they generally cost a lot less than other business laptops. Some Chromebooks designed for work do have beefier processors and more memory. Our general takeaway is that under most circumstances, they tend to work better as adjuncts than primary machines in most businesses.
What Are the Best Laptops for Home Office Use?
By and large, work laptops are ideal whether in a cubicle in the office or the comfort of your home. But, if you want a fantastic work-from-home laptop, we have a few additional factors to consider, like portability if you’re commuting to an office for part of the week or camera quality so you can look your best while working remotely.
One of the major concerns is portability, which includes a laptop’s size, weight, and battery life. You might be able to tote a laptop under an arm or nestled inside a laptop bag, but you also want to use it without being tethered to an outlet. If you’re going to a coffee shop, on an airplane, back and forth from an office to your home, or wherever your remote work happens, choosing a lightweight, long-lived laptop will pay off.
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But stationary use is also a concern. If you work from home more often than you take your laptop on the road, you’ll want to take advantage of dedicated desk space and the accessories and peripherals a desk allows. That means an external monitor, a proper keyboard and mouse, and any other peripherals you want for your workspace.
Finally, look for a laptop with a 1080p camera, which will help you look better on video calls than the 720p cameras many office models default to. Most of our favorite models listed above feature these higher-quality cameras for better virtual meetings.
Which Brands and Styles Are Better for Business Users?
The brand is one of the most significant decisions about a work laptop. Which is better for business, Dell or HP? Lenovo or Apple? IT department requirements, software needs, and other concerns further complicate these questions. By and large, major brands making work laptops do a decent job of staying competitive, providing similar options in terms of hardware and features, with an added layer of brand-specific software for power users or IT management.
If you want to shop by brand, check out some of our manufacturer-specific pages highlighting the best Dell laptops, the best Lenovo laptops, or the best Apple MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops. To an extent, which brand you choose may depend on the volume discounts you can work with the sales team at a Dell, an HP, or a Lenovo, and what the installed base of laptops at your office comprises. There’s no single easy answer.
But what often matters before the brand is what you need your laptop to do. Check out the best ultraportable laptops if you want something light and easy to carry. Try the best mobile workstations if you need a beefy laptop for demanding professional work. Or read up on the best rugged laptops if you need something that can survive in the field or on a worksite. Looking at the top models that fit your team’s or teams’ use cases can help you narrow down to specific models and, from that, brands if you’re not wedded to just one.
Ready to Buy the Right Work Laptop?
Take some time to consider the nature of your particular job. Doing so should point you toward the ideal business laptop. Paying a little extra for more power or capabilities now will save you headaches down the road. The added value of a more extended warranty (some business laptops come with three years, or you may be able to negotiate terms on a bulk fleet buy), specialized tech support, and a more ruggedized frame (fortified by carbon fiber or magnesium alloy) are some of the extra benefits you may get with a business laptop.
If your work is graphics-intensive, you’ll want to opt for a laptop with a discrete GPU. When choosing a processor, you’ll have to find the right balance between power for your applications and energy efficiency, and in selecting a battery, you’ll need to choose between its capacity and weight. When you determine the best features for your needs, you can focus on just those laptops that incorporate them. And that’s where our deep-dive reviews come in.
Our current favorite business laptops are laid out in our spec comparison list. We constantly refresh the list to include the newest products, and because of the large number of laptops we review every year, not every top-rated product makes the cut. For more, also see our overall top laptop picks and, if money is tight, our roundup of the best budget laptops. Finally, if you’re looking to fully outfit your work area, check out our takes on the best business monitors, plus our favorite ergonomic keyboards and printers.
