Key Points
- Our choice for the #1 Best Overall Business Laptop is Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano.
- Business laptops offer excellent value thanks to their powerful processors and portable designs.
- With a business laptop, you can edit videos, share files, send emails, communicate with teams, and perform other home and office tasks from your workstation or on the go
- To select the best business laptops, consider their processing power, battery life, portability, storage capacity, cost, and connectivity options.
- Besides the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano, there are other business laptops in the market, each with unique features and capabilities like integrated GPU, security features, high resolution, and a wide range of connectivity ports.
Business laptops are crucial in running day-to-day business activities. Nowadays, remote working has become the norm for many companies. Therefore, businesses require a durable, high-performance laptop that can last long hours on a single charge. Thankfully, many brands are now releasing high-performance, secure laptops with quality features that also cater to business needs. These powerful devices come in all sizes, features, and prices. The best business laptops feature robust security features such as security chips and fingerprint sensors to ensure your information is secure from prying eyes. If you are unsure which business laptop is best, we have you covered. This detailed guide will analyze the best business laptops based on performance, build, battery life, and other key features to help you make an informed decision.
So, after weeks of reviewing dozens of options our ranking for the best business laptops in 2023 are:
- Best Overall: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano
- Best Battery Life: HP Elite Dragonfly G3
- Best Budget Option: Acer Swift 3
- Best for Durability: Dell Latitude Rugged 5430
- Best 2-in1: HP Spectre x360
Best Overall Business Laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano
- 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1160G7 processor
- Dolby Vision
- 512GB PCIe SSD
- Integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics
- Windows 10 Pro OS
Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Nano is our top pick for the best business laptop in 2023. It has a powerful performance and a lightweight design for easy portability. The 2-pound weight won’t weigh you down when working on the go. The battery life is impressive, lasting 12 hours on a single charge, which is enough for a workday. This means you won’t need to be tethered to charging plugs to work. You can carry this laptop anywhere and get work done without interruptions.
Performance-wise, this laptop is among the best. Lenovo packs a lot of useful features to boost your productivity. It is powered by the powerful 11th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, which delivers impressive performance and speed. Like the other Thinkpad brands, the keyboard is punchy and comfortable, so you will have an incredible typing experience.
Its 2K antiglare display provides vibrant colors and contrast for an incredible viewing experience. This ensures you can work on your laptop for long hours without hurting your eyes. With Dolby Vision and 430 nits of brightness, you will enjoy clarity in your work. The 512GB storage is also sufficient for storing your files and work-related documents.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The ThinkPad offers long battery life. | It has a limited number of ports. |
| It is highly portable because of its lightweight design. | The sound doesn’t live up to the expected standards. |
| It has impressive features such as a snappy keyboard. | The ThinkPad is costly. |
| The ThinkPad features a powerful processor, boosting productivity. |
Check out the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano on Amazon.
Best Battery Life: HP Elite Dragonfly G3
- Up to 14 hours of battery life
- 13.5-inch display
- Windows 10 Pro OS
- 256GB SSD
- Integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics
The HP Elite Dragonfly G3 is popular for its impressive battery life for extended use on the go. At 14 hours of battery life, you will get your work done without needing to connect to the charger every few hours. Besides the long battery life, this sleek and lightweight laptop has excellent build and performance.
It comes with Windows 10 Pro preinstalled, giving users access to a wide range of standard productivity suites for all their needs. Additionally, its 5MP webcam allows you to enjoy quality videos during your online business meetings and conferences. This laptop is powered by the new 12th Gen Intel processors, which deliver fast speeds, enhancing productivity. Its 3:2 ratio also offers a more extended screen real estate, allowing you to comfortably work on your projects without straining.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Elite Dragonfly delivers excellent battery life. | It is pricey. |
| It’s lightweight and portable. | The Elite Dragonfly doesn’t have the best gaming performance. |
| The webcam is impressive. |
Check out the HP Elite Dragonfly G3 on Amazon.
Best Budget Option: Acer Swift 3
- 11.5-hour battery life
- 512GB NVMe SSD
- Backlit keyboard
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- Supports Wi-Fi 6 AX200 802.11ax
Most top-performance business laptops come at a hefty price, and finding a decent-priced laptop that doesn’t compromise performance can be difficult. Thankfully, the Acer Swift 3 is an excellent laptop with an impressive performance. With an aspect ratio of 16:9, you will get a wider viewing range for all your work, giving you a comfortable view. The screen size is also large enough to facilitate a comfortable workspace.
This laptop is thin and lightweight, weighing only 2.65 pounds for easy portability. Its 11.5-hour battery life gives you extended use without running out of juice, especially when working on the go. Another impressive feature is the backlit keyboard which allows you to work comfortably even in low-light environments. Acer Swift 3 supports Wi-Fi 6 AX200 802.11ax, so you can enjoy wireless connectivity at fast speeds. Other connectivity options also include USB and HDMI ports for connecting to external devices such as hard disks and printers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has a lightweight design. | The RAM cannot be upgraded. |
| The Acer Swift supports Wi-Fi 6 for fast wireless connections. | There is no SD card reader. |
| It features a backlit keyboard. | |
| It supports USB C connections and Displayport. |
Check out the Acer Swift 3 on Amazon.
Best for Durability: Dell Latitude Rugged 5430
- Housing was designed to withstand the elements, including temperature, humidity, vibration, and more
- Core i5-1145G7 processor
- 14-inch touchscreen with full HD resolution
- 512B SSD and 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Windows 11 Pro OS
Dell’s Latitude 5430 Rugged laptops are designed to be tough to withstand falls, drops, and splashes. Most field workers require quality and rugged laptops because of the conditions they may be exposed to. This guarantees the safety and durability of the laptops. This 14-inch workhorse is powered by Intel Core i5 11th Gen i5-1135G7 Quad-Core Processor 0.9GHz, delivering incredible speeds and performance. Its 14-inch screen provides a large screen real estate so you can view all your work without straining. It also features a touchscreen display with 1080p resolution for clear and vivid visuals. No matter what you are working on or watching, you will enjoy stunning images with rich details.
This laptop has Windows 11 Pro preinstalled, which is the latest OS. This gives you access to productivity tools and working suites to boost your overall performance. Better still, you have the option to downgrade to Windows 10 if need be.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Dell Latitude Rugged is lightweight compared to other rugged models. | It is pricey. |
| It is highly customizable. | The Dell Latitude is not fully rugged, therefore cannot work underwater. |
| There is an impressive range of I/O ports. |
Check out the Dell Latitude Rugged 5430 on Amazon.
Best 2-in-1: HP Spectre x360
- Use as a laptop or tablet
- 11th Generation Core i7-1165G7
- 1TB SSD with 16GB LPDDR4 3200Mhz RAM
- OLED touchscreen display
- Backlit keyboard
The need for portable laptops has given rise to plenty of 2 in 1 laptops that can be used as both a tablet and laptop. The HP Spectre x360 is an excellent pick for this category. This lightweight 13.5-inch OLED touchscreen laptop has a powerful 11th Generation Core i7-1165G7 chip with incredible capabilities. Whether you are a creative looking for an easy-to-use laptop on the go, a researcher, or a student, this sleek, ultra-thin laptop will suffice. Although highly priced, the performance will give you value for your buck.
Its convertible form factor allows you to use it as a tablet when you need a compact form, especially on the go or during presentations. The active pen allows you to take notes faster or make drawings of your design work. Another impressive feature is the backlit keyboard, allowing you to remain productive even when working in low-lit environments. It also features a fingerprint reader to ensure no unauthorized user can access your device and tamper with your confidential information. Connectivity-wise, this laptop supports Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6 for faster wireless connections.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has a versatile form factor. | It is expensive. |
| The design is sleek and beautiful. | The RAM cannot be upgraded. |
| It has a highly attractive and appealing touchscreen. | It does not have an HDMI port. |
| The Spectre is lightweight and portable. | |
| It has decent battery life. |
Check out the HP Spectre x360 on Amazon.
How to Pick the Best Business Laptops: Step-By-Step
When picking the best business laptops, you must ensure they have all the features and performance you need to avoid disappointments. Different brands have different models with impressive capabilities. Here are the key things to consider before purchasing a business laptop.
- Performance
- Portability
- Battery Life
- Connectivity
- Cost
Let’s look at each in detail.
Performance
When sourcing a business laptop, you must ensure it can handle all the necessary tasks. If you want a laptop for daily computing tasks such as word processing, sending emails, and tracking performance, mid-range processors such as a Core i5 or an AMD A10 should suffice. However, if you are performing intensive video editing, 3D rendering, or heavy gaming, you need a laptop with high-performance CPUs such as Core i7 and at least 16 GB RAM.
Portability
Portability is a crucial factor for business laptops. Since most users use them on the go, they should be lightweight as well as compact for easy carrying. For example, Chromebooks are generally light, but most of them are limited in performance. Nonetheless, most brands are now releasing ultra-thin, lightweight laptops that will not weigh you down.
Battery Life
If you travel often, you need a laptop that can last a day without charge. This will ensure you can comfortably perform all your tasks even in remote areas with no power. There is no need to have a portable laptop with limited battery life. A laptop with 10 hours of battery life is ideal for all your working tasks away from charging areas. If you do field work, then you will require a laptop with solid battery life. Be sure to check reviews to get the exact duration the battery will last from those who have used the laptops.
Connectivity
Most laptops have various connectivity options, including USB, HDMI, and DisplayPort for connecting with peripheral devices. If you need multiple connections, look for laptops with the number of ports you need. Also, consider compatibility with wireless connectivity options, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Unlike the previous versions, the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards provide faster transfer of files.
Cost
Cost is a significant factor for most buyers. You want an affordable laptop that can deliver an impressive performance. Most top-in-line business laptops come at a high price. This is understandable because they feature powerful processors with high speeds and quality performance. It is important to consider the features that matter to you before picking a laptop. There is no need to purchase laptops with powerful processors and large RAM capacity if you only need a laptop for basic computing tasks.
What to Know Before Buying the Best Business Laptops
A business laptop is a crucial investment, so you want to ensure you get it right. First, check for processor generation. Nowadays, manufacturers are upgrading their processor capabilities at high speed. New CPUs with high-performance cores and clock speeds are emerging, providing an incredible speed to finish your work without delay. Ryzen 7, Core i9, and M2 Pro are the best picks for professionals looking for processors that can handle demanding tasks.
Another factor you should also consider is storage capacity. Depending on the nature of your work, look for solid-state drives with 256GB or more. SSDs are better than HDDs because they are faster and lightweight. Most business laptops feature a lightweight, integrated GPU, which does not consume much power compared to dedicated GPUs. Finally, consider the form factor. Most people prefer convertible laptops because they are easy to carry. However, despite their portability, these laptops may lack some crucial features necessary to run a business. Therefore you need to prioritize your needs before making a pick.
Using the Best Business Laptops: What It’s Like
A business laptop allows you to manage various aspects of your business even when you are away from the office. They come in different forms, features, sizes, designs, and budgets. A decent business laptop should provide quality performance, battery life, and robust build quality without breaking the bank. These laptops have powerful processors that deliver incredible speed for all your tasks. They also have integrated graphics cards for graphics processing and lightweight gaming.
The best thing about these laptops is their long battery life, allowing you to use them for extended periods on a single charge. Most of them have high-resolution displays for clear and stunning visuals. They also come with backlit keyboards to ensure you can work even in dimly lit rooms. Whichever model you choose from those listed here, you are guaranteed quality performance and features.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Deemerwha studio/Shutterstock.com.
