The 5 Best Laptops for Realtors (2023 Comparison)

Key Points

• Our choice for the #1 best overall laptop for realtors is the MacBook Pro M1 (2021).
• When considering which laptop is best as a realtor, battery life, portability, and display resolution are key factors to think about.
• Software compatibility is relatively important for realtors, but most applications you need are web-based.
• A high-end processor isn’t strictly necessary, so there are a variety of laptops to suit every need and budget.

Everyone knows that the real estate business isn’t exactly one of the most slow-paced and relaxed environments. There are a lot of moving parts involved, and they can move very quickly. The difference between losing a sale and coming out on top can, and often does, come down to not only your sales tactics but also on the performance of your digital equipment, usually your trusty laptop. After all, no prospective buyer is going to be impressed if you’re using a computer that crashes suddenly, loads websites at the speed of a snail, or displays a floor pain in painfully dim and blurry detail.

Deciding on the best computer companion to help you seal the deal isn’t the easiest of tasks, however. This is especially true if you’re not particularly tech-savvy. To this end, we’re going to explore the best laptops for realtors available today, so you can find the perfect tool to close your next sale. Here are our top picks for the best laptops for realtors.

• Best Overall: MacBook Pro M1 (Late 2021)
• Best Portable: MacBook Air M2 (2022)
• Best Touchscreen: ASUS Zenbook Flip 13
• Best Budget Option: Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Series 3520
• Best for Durability: Dell XPS 13 9310

Best Overall: MacBook Pro M1 (Late 2021)

Best Overall

Apple 2021 MacBook Pro

• 16" Liquid Retina XDR Display
• Apple M1 Max chip
• 10-core CPU
• 32-core GPU
• 16-core Neural Engine for up to 5x faster machine learning performance

Buy on Amazon

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Although this isn’t the latest offering in the MacBook Pro line, the 2021 edition still packs a lot of power under its hood. And as with anything from Apple, the longevity is virtually unparalleled. You can be sure your new laptop will be more than usable for many years to come. The M1 chip is powerful enough to handle all of your software needs at the same time. Coupled with 16GB of RAM, this allows you to switch effortlessly between browsers, presentations, and photos or videos. The 16-inch Retina display will also ensure your visuals are as crisp and vivid as they are responsive. This Pro comes with a huge 1TB of storage, which is arguably overkill for your needs. But currently, the price difference between this and the 512GB model is fairly negligible. As such, you may as well get more bang for your buck.

The weight of the MacBook Pro is the greatest of all the laptops reviewed here. But overall, it’s not a particularly hefty laptop. The Touch ID security is a nice plus as well, helping to secure all of your confidential projects in case your laptop falls into the wrong hands. Considering the spectacular performance, big 16-inch screen, and fantastic 17-hour battery life, you can’t go wrong with the MacBook Pro. It’s easily one of the best laptops money can buy. Check out the 2021 MacBook Pro on Amazon.

Best Portable: MacBook Air M2 (2022)

Extremely Portable

Apple 2022 MacBook Air Laptop M2, Space Gray

$983.41

• Extremely thin and lightweight (only weighs 2.7lb)
• Features Apple's M2 chip that has a CPU with 8 cores, a GPU with 10 cores, and a total of 24GB of memory.
• Battery life: 18 hours
• Screen: 13.6 inches, Liquid retina type, 500 nits brightness

Buy on Amazon

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

11/27/2023 05:01 am GMT

If portability is the biggest priority for you, then it’s hard to find a more worthy competitor than the MacBook Air. The laptops from the Air series are almost impossibly thin and lightweight. In fact, the model in question clocks in at an insanely minuscule 2.7 pounds! This doesn’t mean that the performance is subpar, however. The new-and-improved M2 chip from Apple delivers the power you need so that you won’t miss the extra 8GB of RAM you’d get with a 16GB model. The 256GB storage will be more than enough room for your photos, videos, and documents. You’re still getting the same amazing battery life and Retina display as the Pro models as well.

All in all, we can’t recommend the MacBook Air enough, especially if you’re always on the go. Just make sure you’ve remembered to pack away your laptop in your bag. It’s so light you may not notice it’s still on the desk. Check out the 2022 MacBook Air M2 on Amazon.

Best Touchscreen: ASUS Zenbook Flip 13

Great Touchscreen

ASUS ZenBook Flip 13 OLED Ultra Slim 2-in-1 Laptop

$948.18

• Screen: 13.3 inches in size, touch enabled, 4K resolution, 400 nit brightness
• Features a 360 degree hinge
• Includes Intel's 11th generation core i7 CPU
• Storage: 1TB SSD, RAM: 16GB LPDDR4X

Buy on Amazon

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

11/27/2023 05:06 am GMT

While a standard laptop computer will be suitable for most scenarios, the convenience and style of a 2-in-1 touchscreen model can’t be overstated, particularly the ASUS Zenbook Flip 13. Being able to zoom in on a housing plan or even sign a contract with ease gives off a sense of professionalism that’s hard to replicate. The Intel i7 processor and 16GB RAM ensure you’ll be able to access your programs without any hiccups. In addition, the enormous 1TB storage gives you a lot of wiggle room for holding everything work-related, and even personal data if you wish. The 13.3-inch screen is ever-so-slightly smaller than the 13.6-inch screen of the MacBook Air. However, the good news is that the weight and dimensions are very comparable as well. The OLED display holds its own and allows you to mitigate the small screen size by using smaller icons.

Overall, there’s not much to fault with the Flip 13, apart from the relatively shorter battery life of around 11 hours. The price tag is a little higher than the MacBook Air, but nowhere near as high as the MacBook Pro. As such, the Flip 13 is an excellent laptop choice for realtors, especially if want a 2-in-1 Air-esque model that can function like an iPad. Check out the ASUS Zenbook Flip 13 on Amazon.

Best Budget-Friendly: Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Series 3520

Budget Option

Dell Inspiron 15 3520 Laptop

$515.99

• 15.6" FHD (1,920 x 1,080p) 120Hz Display
• Core i5-1235U Processor
• 16GB DDR4 RAM
• 512GB SSD
• Wi-Fi 6
• Iris Xe Graphics
• Windows 11 Home
• Carbon Black

Buy on Amazon

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

11/27/2023 05:06 am GMT

As far as laptops go, the Inspiron 3520 isn’t the cheapest out there, but the price is very reasonable for the specs. When you need a laptop that can handle software, client management tools and the buying process with ease, you require a certain level of performance. And the 12th Gen Intel i7 processor and 16GB RAM of the Inspiron don’t disappoint. This amount of power is more than appropriate for the software you need to use, and performance is slightly better than the older processor of the Flip 13. The storage of the Inspiron 3520 is as large as the Flip 13’s, but the screen itself is substantially bigger. The 15.6-inch display almost rivals that of the MacBook Pro, but offers touchscreen functionality as well.

In terms of specs, it’s hard to recommend the Inspiron 3520 over the other options. It lacks an OLED display and the fairly subpar battery life stands at around 7 hours. But, all in all, it can handle all the tasks you need it to and save you a pretty penny, all while delivering the touchscreen experience you may be looking for. Check out the Inspiron 3520 on Amazon.

Best for Durability: Dell XPS 13 9310

Incredible Durability

Dell XPS 13 9310, Silver

$1,548.00

• Screen: 13.4 inches in size, touch enabled, FHD+ resolution
• Storage: 512GB SSD, RAM: 16GB LPDDR4X
• CPU: Intel's 11th generation core i7
• Warranty: On site, 2 years

Buy on Amazon

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

11/27/2023 05:11 am GMT

The XPS 13 from Dell comes in as the second-heaviest laptop on this list. But considering the surreally low weights of some of these computers, this is by no means a brick of a laptop. Although the weight is considerably higher than the MacBook Air, the thickness is almost on par, and the durability is hard to beat. By using carbon fiber instead of aluminum, Dell has managed to keep the frame strong without adding too much extra weight. The touchscreen is convenient, responsive, and of a similar size to the Flip 13.

The display isn’t OLED, though, so this is something to consider if the best graphics are a priority for you. Even still, the XPS 13 has a sharper resolution than the Inspiron 3520 and a longer battery life of around 12 hours. It’s also noticeably thinner, even though it’s weightier. If you’re a fan of Dell laptops, then the XPS 13 may be a better choice than the Inspiron 3520, if you can afford it.

How to Pick the Best Laptop for Realtors: Step-by-Step

There are some factors that are essential to consider when buying the best laptop for realtors. These are:

• Battery life
• Weight
• Display
• Touchscreen functionality
• Storage

Let’s take a closer look.

Battery life

Since you’re probably going to be using your laptop on the go, whether you’re commuting to the office or showing a client around a property, battery life is crucial to think about. Most laptops these days will provide at least 5 hours of battery life, but if you’re out of the office for the entire day, you need all the battery power you can get. Luckily, most of the laptops on this list have an excellent battery life, with the shortest battery life being around 7 hours and the longest around 17. If having the longest battery life possible is very important to you, then either of the MacBook models is a great choice.

Weight

As well as battery life, weight is a significant factor in how portable a laptop can be. It can get rather cumbersome lugging around what feels like a brick of cement and could seem rather unprofessional as you accidentally slam it down on the countertop. None of the laptops listed are ridiculously heavy by any standard, but the MacBook Air and Flip 13 definitely pull ahead in this category. Generally, a weight of around 2 to 5 pounds is ideal for a laptop that feels like it’s almost not even there. While the XPS 13 is significantly heavier, it has a similar lightweight feel due to its minimal bezels and thin screen. It may be best to avoid the MacBook Pro if you prioritize portability and lightness over performance.

Display

While you don’t need the most vivid display for your workday, any presentation or browser looks better with a sharper display. The Retina displays of the MacBook series are always excellent and dependable, but the OLED display of the Flip 13 also looks great, even if the screen is quite small. Similarly, the resolution of the XPS 13 helps to offset its lack of an OLED display, so would be a wise choice. The larger screen of the Inspiron 3520 is hindered somewhat by its resolution, but it’s still an excellent model for the budget-conscious. However, if you can find the funds, the vivid 16-inch display of the MacBook Pro is easily the best option.

Touchscreen Functionality

This is something that’ll either be essential or a forgettable extra, depending on how you like to use your laptop. It can be nice to be able to sign documents digitally and manipulate photos with ease, but you can usually get by with a standard keyboard that we all know and love. If you do want to make use of a touchscreen, the Flip 13 or either of the Dell models are pleasantly responsive, but graphics may look a bit better on the Flip 13.

Storage

Storage space is often overlooked but is an important factor in how useful your laptop will be. All of these models provide enough storage space for most realtors, since your documents, PDFs, and photos probably won’t take up too much space. Generally speaking, 256GB or 512GB of storage is more than enough, but many of these models come with 1TB. If you do find yourself needing more storage, or simply like to store your files externally, then you may want to go with the Inspiron 3520 or MacBook Pro, both of which support SD cards.

What to Know Before Buying a Realtor Laptop in 2023

Whenever you’re buying a laptop to use in a specific situation, it’s good to know what specs you need. After all, laptops aren’t created equal, so you want one that best fits your needs. In addition, you want to avoid spending your money on unnecessary extras.

Whether you want the laptop with the longest battery life, the biggest display, or all kinds of ports, these will heavily affect your purchasing decision. Chances are you don’t need the most expensive processor or largest storage, but you do want high enough specs to use software seamlessly. Compatibility is also important to consider, especially if you’re torn between a MacBook or a Windows laptop. However, most of the software you’ll be using will be web-based, i.e., client management systems, or compatible with both operating systems, i.e., Microsoft Office. As such, you should be able to get on board with any laptop on this list.

Using a Laptop for Realtors: What It’s Like

Any laptop listed here will do an excellent job of whatever you need it to. As long as the storage is above 256GB, the display is above 13 inches, and the processor is at least i5 or above, you should have no problems running the software you need. If you opt for a touchscreen laptop, of course, you’ll have more functionality than without. But since most people haven’t adopted one of these yet, this isn’t exactly a dealbreaker.

You’ll have an appreciably larger display with the Inspiron 3520 or MacBook Pro. But performance should be similarly excellent across all models. The Flip 13 and MacBook Air will offer a much more lightweight experience, but this is all down to personal taste. Some users prefer a weightier, more robust feel to their laptop. With the exception of the Inspiron 3520, these laptops have a charge that will last all day, which is great for when you’re out of the office and meeting clients. So choose the laptop that’s right for you.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©tinhkhuong/Shutterstock.com.