The best laptops for business make it simple to do work and stay productive while on the move. They are lightweight enough to be carried all day. They also have a long battery life.
There was a time when you could only get a laptop for business from HP EliteBooks or Lenovo ThinkPads. These laptops are still great for business professionals and those who work remotely, but recent advancements in mobile components have allowed us to offer a slew of ultraportables at a fraction of the cost. They are durable, lightweight, powerful, stylish, and small enough to fit into a briefcase.
With all the options available to you now for a business-ready laptop that is both powerful and affordable, you will need help sorting out the wheat from the chaff. Check out our guide to the best laptops for business.
These are the best laptops for business right now
We recommend the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano business laptop as it is lightweight and durable. It weighs in at just 2 pounds and has a 13-inch screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio. This makes it easy to use code and documents. It also features facial/fingerprint biometric authentication and a webcam death switch. Its only problem is the lack of ports. There are only two USB-C Thunderbolt4 ports. If you need to connect a lot of accessories, you might need to buy a USB hub.
The HP Spectre x360 is a great option if you want your laptop to be able to transform into a tablet. The Spectre x360 is a sleek, elegant device measuring 0.67 inches in thickness. However, it weighs about a pound more than the ultra-light ThinkPad X1 Nano. The Spectre x360 still delivers outstanding performance, a 12-hour battery life that has been tested in a laboratory, and a stunning display in a slim, stylish package. It also comes with an integrated stylus that can be used to take notes or doodling during meetings.
Apple lovers looking for a long-lasting, lightweight laptop for business should consider the M1-equipped MacBook Air. The MacBook Air’s latest model is small and light, and it delivers new levels of efficiency and performance.
1. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano
The ultimate business laptop
Specifications
Display: 13 inches; 2K
Intel Core i7-1160G7
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 8GB – 16GB
Storage: 256 – 1TB SSD
Weight: 2 pounds
+Great battery life+Lightweight+2K, anti-glare display
Avoidable reasons
-Limited ports -Dull sound
The ThinkPad X1 Nano from Lenovo is a great laptop for business because it’s lightweight, powerful, durable, and easy to use. The Nano weighs in at 2 pounds and has a 12 hour battery life. This means that it is light enough to carry around for a full day without the need for a charger. If you want to be connected while on the move, you can pay an extra fee for 4G/5G connectivity.
Lenovo did not compromise on usability or performance. The Nano’s Intel 11th Gen Tiger Lake processors are the same security features as all ThinkPads and provide the speed and productivity you need to be productive. Its keyboard is quick and easy to use and lives up to its ThinkPad brand. It does come with a USB hub, so you might want to bring a USB hub.
2. HP Spectre x360 14
The most 2-in-1 laptop for business
Specifications
Display: 14 inch 1920 x 1280 FHD (as measured) or 3000×2000 OLED touchscreen
CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7
GPU: Intel Iris Xe integrated graphic
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB up to 512GB SSD
Weight: 2.95 pounds
Today’s Top Deals
There are many reasons to buy
+Excellent sound quality+Stellar screen+Intuitive touchscreen & pen controls+Ultra-portable
Avoidable reasons
Very expensive-Limited connectivity to ports on lower-priced models -No 10-key option – Pen input finicky left-handed users
The HP Spectre x360 14 convertible business laptop is a powerful, stylish and elegant device that delivers excellent performance both at work and at play. The HP Spectre x360 is available in three colors: silver, black, and navy. It has a slim profile of 0.67 inches and complements the internal components perfectly.
Although the price tag can seem high if it is equipped with premium components, the Spectre x360’s performance and sturdy design are well worth it. The Spectre x360 comes with a rechargeable MPP2.0 tilt pen, which is ideal for digital artists and anyone who prefers handwriting notes in meetings.
3. Apple MacBook Air with M1
Apple’s top business laptop
Specifications
Display: 13.3 inches; 2560×1600
Apple M1 CPU
GPU: Integrated 8 core GPU
RAM: 8GB-16GB
Storage: 256GB-2TB SSD
Weight: 2.8 pounds
+Remarkable performance+Strong legacy apps support+Amazingly long life battery
Avoidable reasons
-Still has thicke bezels-Light port ports
Apple revolutionized laptops with its M1 chip. The MacBook Air was the first device to receive one. The chip is faster than ever and has a longer battery life. It lasted for 14 hours and 41 mins on the Tom’s Guide battery testing. The MacBook Air’s webcam has improved to be clearer and more accurate than ever. Additionally, the Magic Keyboard delivers great typing performance.
The M1-equipped MacBook Air is the best choice for anyone who needs a MacBook Air for business purposes. It is powerful, durable, and can handle everything, from meetings to work sessions in a coffee shop.
4. Dell XPS 13 Plus
Ultraportable 13-inch Windows for Business
Specifications
Display: 13.4 inches (3456×2160) OLED touch (as tested)
CPU: 12th gen Core i7-1280P
GPU: Intel Iris Xe
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
Weight: 2.77 pounds
Every day, we check more than 250 million products to ensure the best price
There are many reasons to buy
+Gorgeous design +Bright OLED display+Comfortable keyboard+Strong performance+Powerful sound
Avoidable reasons
-Relatively low battery life-Touchpad can become oversensitive-Bottom runs warm -Capacitive function row lacks Feedback
You might assume that the Dell XPS 13 Plus is a larger version of the iconic Dell laptop. It’s quite the opposite. This design is the most minimalist we have ever seen from Dell.
There are only two ports. There is no headphone jack. Dell also removed the physical function keys and replaced them with a capacitive row. The touchpad is completely transparent and there are no lines.
The XPS 13 Plus is more than a fashion statement. The 2.7-pound Dell XPS 13 Plus packs a 28W 12th gen Core i7 CPU. The result is an impressive system that can beat even the MacBook Pro M2 in some tests. The short battery life and capacitive row will cause some concern. The bottom can get a little toasty when you run at maximum power. Keep that in mind if you want to avoid scorching your laps!
Read the Dell PowerStation 13 Plus Review .
Are you not interested in the Plus model? Our Dell XPS 13 OLED Review is a must-read. The base XPS 13 laptop, which we highly recommend, is still a top-quality model.
5. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
The best laptop for business productivity
Specifications
Display: 13.5 inches 2256 x 1504 touchscreen
CPU: 11-Gen Intel Core i5/i7 | Ryzen 5/7 4000-series
GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe, or Radeon graphics
RAM: 8GB to 32GB
Storage: 1TB to 256GB SSD
Weight: 2.79 pounds
+Light, slim design +Comfortable keyboard+Great speakers+Good Battery Life
Avoidable reasons
Needs more ports-Thickened bezels can be an eyesore. A better webcam is needed.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is an excellent choice for business use. It’s close to a flagship Windows laptop and it’s a great option. The 2021 Surface Laptop 4 adds premium components to a slim chassis. It also comes with a clean Windows 10 installation that’s free of bloatware.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is a premium Windows laptop that you can use anywhere. The keyboard is comfortable with large keys that feel satisfying and the Alcantara deck option gives you more comfort than an all-metal laptop. This notebook is great for completing tasks on the move.
6. Acer Swift 3 (AMD).
Best laptop for business under $700
Specifications
Display: 14 inches; 1920×1080
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 4700U
GPU: AMD Radeon graphics
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
Weight: 2.7 pounds
Today’s Top Deals
There are many reasons to buy
+Amazing battery life+Powerful performance+Affordable
Avoidable reasons
Display is a bit dim-Speakers don’t sound great
The Acer Swift 3 is a great choice for small businesses that are on a tight budget. It offers outstanding performance and surprisingly low prices. This laptop packs AMD hardware and offers a long battery life (11/09) in a light design. It also has a USB Type C, HDMI and a USB A port. You also get a fingerprint scanner.
It is quiet and satisfying, making it great for working in an office. The Swift 3’s display could have been brighter and more colorful, and the speakers would have had more power. The Acer Swift 3 is an AMD-based laptop that delivers value and performance.
Read our Acer Swift 3 review .
7. Dell XPS 15 OLED
The best 15-inch OLED laptop for business
Specifications
Display: 15.6 inches; 3.5K
CPU: Intel Core i7 11th Gen
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 3050 Ti
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB SSD
Weight: 4.2 pounds
+3.5K OLED display impresses with beautiful contrasts+Remarkable performance+Spacious, comfy keyboard+Svelte chassis still looks great
Avoidable reasons
Disappointing battery life -720p webcam produces grainy, washed out images
The XPS 15 is a great choice for a large screen laptop. It’s slim and stylish, and has the same performance as its XPS siblings. Smart design improvements make the new XPS 15 even more appealing, including larger keycaps and a responsive touchscreen that is over 60% larger than the previous generation.
In 2021, Dell introduced the XPS 15 with a 3.5K OLED touchscreen option. It’s worth spending the extra $1k for the OLED screen, even though you get a few more components. The OLED’s vivid colors and contrast ratios are stunning when mounted in the InfinityEdge design on the XPS 15.
