Buy a business laptop in 2022: Find the right model now

Outlook, Teams, Excel, and Chrome are the programs that most business laptops have to contend with. The good thing is that none of the office applications need a strong graphics card or a lot of processor power. However, they usually run simultaneously on the computer. And that’s exactly what can overwhelm an older laptop with only two cores and little RAM. As a rule of thumb, a reasonable business laptop in 2021 should have a processor with four cores, at least eight gigabytes of RAM and 512 gigabytes of internal SSD storage.

A full HD resolution on the display does just as little harm as a flat design and low weight. 17 inch laptops are too big for most pockets, buyers of a 15.6 inch laptop will find it more comfortable to travel. In addition, buyers of a business laptop should trust well-known PC brands such as Dell, HP or Lenovo. They offer certified workshops and dealers who are the first point of contact if the device needs repair or help with data recovery.

Dell business laptops

Dell offers its customers two families of products that fall under the business laptop category: the XPS series models and Inspiron laptops. The built-in components differ between the two series in terms of appearance and configuration options. With XPS laptops, you have the choice between a full HD display without touch function or a 4K display with touch function (for an extra charge). In contrast, Dell equips current Inspiron laptops with a 4K display or Full HD display without touch functionality.

Dell XPS 13 9300-1451

Of the Dell XPS 13 9300-1451 is a handy notebook with a screen diagonal of 13.4 inches (34 centimeters). Its touch display has a resolution of 4K. The Intel Core i7-1065G7 has enough power to work on several programs at the same time. The RAM is lavishly dimensioned at 16 gigabytes, as is the 1 terabyte SSD hard drive. Windows 10 works on the computer. The connection options are a bit sparse. At least two Thunderbolt ports are on board, which are in the form of a USB-C socket.

Business laptop: Dell Inspiron 15 7501-NJ0N6

One size larger in the display, the processor is a little weaker Dell Inspiron 15 7501-NJ0N6. But that shouldn’t deter buyers, because the Intel Core i5-10300H processor is a CPU in the computer that can easily handle Excel, Teams, etc. for the next few years. At eight gigabytes, the RAM is half the size of the XPS.

The same applies to the internal memory, which is 512 gigabytes in size. Both are sufficient to work. The Inspiron laptop is superior in terms of connectivity. In addition to two Thunderbolt sockets, it also offers two USB-A inputs and an HDMI slot. This is how you can easily connect the laptop to external displays. The integrated screen has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD) over a diagonal of 39.6 centimeters (15.6 inches).

Business laptop from HP: EliteBook 850 G8 (3C7Z5EA)

With its EliteBooks, the premium manufacturer Hewlett-Packard (HP) offers formidable business laptops that are in no way inferior to the models from Dell and even add useful functions. Who doesn’t know it: You’re sitting on the train, working with concentration and now and then the curious person sitting next to you peeks at your display to catch what you’re typing. Unpleasant! That’s why HP donated its EliteBook 850 G8 a display with a privacy screen. Otherwise, with the built-in quad core from Intel, 8 gigabytes of RAM and 512 gigabytes of internal memory, you are well-armed for the next few years.

Business laptop from Lenovo: ThinkPad T14s G2

The more expensive business laptops include the ThinkPads from Lenovo. Lenovo is one of the few manufacturers to give them an LTE module. That also comes with ThinkPad T14s G2 for use. Sure, most smartphones can be configured as a WiFi hotspot for the PC. But that drains either the smartphone or the PC battery when the cell phone is connected to the laptop. In terms of performance, the Lenovo laptop is of course almost in no way inferior to its competitors. However, the internal storage of 256 gigabytes could be too small for some users.

Microsoft Surface: The convertible

If you enjoy taking handwritten notes, signing PDF documents, or editing by hand, a convertible could be your device of choice. It is a hybrid of laptop and tablet. The best known representatives of this genus are the Surface devices from Microsoft, on which Windows 10 works.

A convertible as a business laptop offers the advantages of both worlds: you edit e-mails or Excel documents like on a classic laptop with a trackpad and keyboard. Use the appropriate pen to write notes for the minutes of important meetings. The same applies to signing important documents – if you want to save paper. There is no real disadvantage with the convertibles – except that you usually have to buy the keyboard and pen separately and the connection options are inferior to those of a laptop.

MacBook as a business laptop?

At the MacBook Opinions differ as a business laptop. And there is a reason for this: Apple buyers are usually at home in the creative sector, i.e. cutting videos, editing photos or the like. Anyone who works with colors attaches the greatest importance to the display being true to the original, so that the print or film does not look different from the display. And the Apple displays of the MacBooks offer these excellent color values. A feature that a business laptop doesn’t necessarily need.

And that’s why the MacBook only makes sense as a business laptop if you’re used to MacOS, don’t shy away from the higher price compared to Windows and don’t want to switch to Windows. By the way: A few years ago there was a dispute between MacOS and Windows. The files from Microsoft Office for MacOS differ from those from Windows Office. Accordingly, there were compatibility issues when different people worked together on Windows and Mac. In the meantime, these teething troubles have been cured and the Microsoft Office suite works seamlessly with Windows computers under MacOS.

The most secure business laptop

If you are looking for a particularly secure business laptop, you cannot avoid Linux. There are several reasons for this: First, Linux is not as widespread as Windows. And because that’s the case, there are simply fewer viruses for Linux. The chance of catching a Trojan that spy out important data through an inconsiderate click is lower. Also, there are Linux laptops like that Librem 14 by Purismthat have microphone and camera kill switches.

Killswitches are buttons that mechanically disconnect devices from power. And that’s even more important when you’re working with sensitive data that could be a target for industrial espionage. If the child has fallen into the well and the computer is already infected, at least the attacker cannot overhear and see what is going on at your work. Granted: Few people are likely to appreciate such a laptop – but for those who do, it can’t be safe enough.

You have to take this into account with a business laptop

If you like working in and with several programs at the same time, you want at least one quad-core processor installed in the laptop. The more cores a processor has, the better it can handle several programs at the same time. In addition, there may be 16 gigabytes of RAM so that the processor always has enough space to temporarily store its tasks there.

512 gigabytes of internal memory are sufficient for editing Word and Excel documents. For image or video editing, it can be more, because the files are naturally larger. The business laptop does not necessarily need a dedicated graphics card. The integrated graphics unit of the processor is sufficient in 90 percent of the application area. The only exception: You want to connect your laptop to two or more 4K displays. Then a dedicated graphics card in the laptop can make sense.

4K or Full HD: which is better?

As for the display, die a death on a business laptop. Either you opt for a display that resolves in 4K. Then you have more space to place multiple windows and programs side by side. But the place has its price and not only in the wallet. Because more pixels also require more power, the battery of a laptop with a 4K screen will be empty faster than if the same device has a display with Full HD resolution.

Here buyers have to decide for themselves what is more important to them. But one thing is said: Because programs, windows and buttons are very small in a native 4K resolution on a 15.6 or 17 inch screen, most users scale the resolution up to see buttons and windows larger. Of course, the space advantage of the 4K resolution is lost. Most consumers therefore prefer the Full HD display with the better battery life. Incidentally, WQHD displays on the notebook offer the perfect sweet spot between battery life and resolution. However, the resolution is usually only found in gaming laptops.

17, 15.6 or 13 inches: the right size

Otherwise, the business laptop should be as light as possible and fit in the bag you take to work. This usually applies to 15.6 or 13 inchers. Anyone who attaches particular importance to securing the laptop wants a device that offers biometric security functions such as a fingerprint sensor. Real data foxes also appreciate so-called kill switches, which mechanically cut off the webcam and microphone from the notebook.

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