As a business owner or entrepreneur, finding the best laptop for running a business is crucial for staying organized, efficient, and competitive in today's fast-paced digital world. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to sift through the seemingly endless array of laptop models. Luckily, I've been in your shoes and have done the legwork for you, reviewing an extensive laptop spreadsheet of recent releases, comparing specs and reviews, and narrowing down the top laptops based on business-specific requirements and price ranges.
One of the primary factors to consider when selecting the best laptop for running a business is the device's ability to handle multitasking and performance-intensive applications. As a business professional, you'll likely be juggling multiple tasks at once, such as managing projects, analyzing data, video conferencing, and more. Therefore, it's essential to choose a laptop with a powerful processor, sufficient RAM, and ample storage to ensure smooth and seamless operation.
Another crucial consideration is portability and battery life. Business owners are often on-the-go, attending meetings, traveling, or working remotely. A lightweight laptop with a long-lasting battery will make it easier for you to work from anywhere without being tethered to an outlet. Additionally, investing in a laptop with a high-quality display and a comfortable keyboard will enhance your productivity and reduce eye strain during those long workdays. By focusing on these key factors, you'll be well on your way to finding the best laptop for running a business that meets your unique needs and preferences.
Powering up your business: Choosing the right processor for your laptop
As the market for laptop processors continues to evolve, it's important to stay up to date on the latest releases and what they can offer for your business needs.
Apple's ARM-based M1 and its successors have been making waves in the industry with their exceptional single-core performance and battery life. However, if you're looking for a Windows laptop, ultrabooks are a great option for better battery life, while regular notebooks offer better performance.
When choosing a processor, it's crucial to make sure it's up to date. If you're looking for the best possible performance, consider an H-series processor like the Intel Core i7-H. On the other hand, if battery life is your priority, U-series processors like the Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 are a better fit.
Geekbench scores are a popular way to compare different processors, but it's important to keep in mind that they only measure single-core performance. For a more comprehensive benchmark, we recommend using Cinebench and PassMark, which are great at measuring general-purpose performance.
Here are our recommendations for processors based on price bracket:
| Price Bracket | Recommended Processor |
|---|---|
| Minimum | Intel Core i3-1115G4 |
| Recommended | Intel Core i5-1135G7 |
| High-End | Intel Core i7-11370H |
Remember, if you're looking for a budget business laptop, don't expect to have the latest and greatest processor. Instead, focus on getting a well-rounded machine with a good display, plenty of RAM, and storage space (preferably an SSD). Ultimately, choosing the right processor will depend on your specific needs and budget, but these recommendations should serve as a solid starting point for any business user.
Power Up Your Business with the Right Graphics Card
When it comes to business laptops, a dedicated graphics card is not necessary for most applications. However, if you plan to create visual content or play games, investing in a graphics card can be helpful.
Currently, Nvidia dominates the laptop GPU market, with their RTX 30 series cards making up the majority. The recently released RTX 40 series cards are also starting to hit the shelves.
When comparing laptops, using industry-standard benchmarks such as 3DMark is a good way to determine how different GPUs perform in real-world tests. However, it's essential to consider other specifications such as CPU clock speed and RAM amount since they also affect overall performance.
If you need a gaming laptop for your business, look for one with a high refresh rate display (144Hz or higher) to minimize input lag and keep up with today's fast-paced eSports scene.
Here are our recommendations for GPUs based on each price bracket:
- Minimum: GeForce GTX 1650
- Recommended: GeForce RTX 3050
- High-end: GeForce RTX 2060
Keep in mind that the latest and greatest GPUs from Nvidia come with a hefty price tag and may not be worth the investment unless you need the best laptop for business that money can buy.
Biz-tech shopping? Here are your FAQs
Q: What is the best laptop for running a small business?
The best laptop for running a small business depends on your specific needs. However, we recommend the MSI Summit E13, which offers excellent performance, durability, and battery life at a reasonable price.
Which laptop is best for business use under TOPIC_QUESTIONS,000?
For business use under TOPIC_QUESTIONS,000, we recommend the ASUS Zenbook. It provides enough power and storage to handle basic office tasks and has a sleek design perfect for business meetings.
What are the must-have specs for a business laptop?
The must-have specs for a business laptop are a minimum of i3-1115G4 processor, GeForce GTX 1650 graphics, and 8 GB memory. However, we recommend upgrading to an i5-1135G7 processor, GeForce RTX 3050 graphics, and 16 GB memory for better performance.
What is the battery life requirement for a business laptop?
A good battery life requirement for a business laptop is at least 8 hours. However, we recommend looking for laptops that offer more than 10 hours of battery life for optimal performance.
Should I choose a Windows or Mac laptop for business use?
Both Windows and Mac laptops are suitable for business use, but it depends on personal preferences and the software you need. Windows laptops are more affordable, offer more software compatibility, and have more customization options. Mac laptops are known for their sleek design, superior build quality, and are favored by creative professionals.
Is an SSD necessary for a business laptop?
Yes, an SSD (Solid State Drive) is necessary for a business laptop. It provides faster boot and load times, which are crucial for optimal productivity.
Can a business laptop run heavy software like Photoshop or Premiere Pro?
Yes, a business laptop can run heavy software like Photoshop or Premiere Pro if it meets the minimum specifications requirements. However, we recommend opting for a higher specification laptop for a better user experience.
What is the ideal screen size for a business laptop?
The ideal screen size for a business laptop is between 13 and 15 inches. It provides the perfect balance of portability and screen real estate, making it easy to carry around and work on the go.
How to protect data on a business laptop?
To protect data on a business laptop, we recommend using encryption software, installing anti-virus software, and enabling two-factor authentication. We also recommend keeping regular backups of important data and not sharing passwords with anyone.
Should I get a warranty for my business laptop?
Yes, we strongly recommend getting a warranty for your business laptop. It provides an extra layer of protection against accidental damage, hardware malfunctions, and ensures that your investment is safe. We recommend choosing a warranty that covers at least two years and offers on-site support.
RAM: Running Your Business like a Pro
In recent years, the amount and type of RAM available in laptops have seen some significant changes. Most mid-range laptops now come with 16 GB of RAM, while high-end laptops can have 32 GB or more. Additionally, the latest-gen Intel and AMD CPUs support DDR4 and DDR5, although DDR5 is still quite expensive and not yet widely used.
When it comes to running a business laptop, RAM is one of the most crucial components, especially if you're working with large spreadsheets or complex models. Most business laptops come with 8 GB of memory, which is enough for most tasks. However, if you're working with large files or frequently working with multiple applications at once, 16 GB would be ideal.
While DDR5 is the latest memory technology, it's not worth the investment if you're looking for a laptop that will last you for years to come. Instead, look for a laptop with DDR4 memory, or even better, DDR4/H. These are more than enough to ensure smooth performance in most business applications.
When it comes to RAM frequency, it's not as crucial as the amount of RAM you have. While higher frequencies can provide a slight boost in performance, it's not worth the extra cost unless you're running very demanding applications.
To help you decide on the right amount of RAM for your business laptop, here's a table of average laptop prices depending on RAM amount and price range:
| RAM Amount | Price Range | Average Price |
|---|---|---|
| 8 GB | Budget | $500 – $800 |
| 8 GB | Mid-Range | $800 – $1,200 |
| 16 GB | Mid-Range | $1,200 – $1,500 |
| 32 GB | High-End | $1,500 – $2,000+ |
In summary, if you're running a business laptop, you'll want to ensure you have enough RAM to handle your workload. For most people, 16 GB is ideal, but if you're working with more demanding applications, 32 GB might be necessary. Additionally, while DDR5 is the latest memory technology, it's not worth the investment unless you need the absolute latest and greatest. Instead, look for a laptop with DDR4 or DDR4/H memory.
6 Best Laptops for running a business
1.ASUS Zenbook
ASUS Zenbook UM425QA is a powerful and lightweight ultrabook, perfect for running a business.- Excellent battery life
- Compact dimensions and low weight
- Fast processor and sleek design
- Bright display and relatively good sound
- Soldered RAM that cant be expanded
- Fan behavior annoying at times
- High emissions under load and weak Wi-Fi
Summary
The ASUS Zenbook UM425QA is a lightweight ultrabook that doesn't compromise on power. It has a fast processor, sleek design, and excellent battery life, making it a great choice for running a business. However, its fan behavior can be annoying at times, and the Wi-Fi is weak.
Reviews
Alternatives
HP Victus 15
- Strong entry-level gaming
- Solid productivity performance
- Display and webcam could be better
- Too much pre-installed software
2.HP Victus 15
The HP Victus 15 is a great budget option for business use, but lacking in gaming performance.- Excellent price
- Solid array of ports
- Can double as a work laptop
- Weak GPU yields unsatisfactory frame rates
- Bad battery life
- Rather plain design
Summary
The HP Victus 15 is a budget-friendly laptop perfect for business tasks. Though the gaming performance falls short, it can still manage high-end games. The laptop's design is plain, and the battery life is not impressive, but the low price point makes it a worthy consideration.
Alternatives
MSI Summit E13
- Large battery with respectable runtimes.
- Great CPU and GPU performance.
- Slow display response times, noticeable ghosting.
- Servicing requires breaking a factory seal sticker.
3.Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is a powerful laptop with minor flaws.- High-quality 165 Hz 16:10 IPS display
- Relatively easy serviceability
- Integrated numpad
- Very fast charging
- Low-resolution webcam with no IR or privacy shutter
- Very warm CPUGPU temperatures when gaming
- Moderate-heavy uneven backlight bleeding
- Only average battery life
Summary
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is a solid choice for running a business, with a powerful AMD Zen 3+ CPU and 150 W TGP GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU, and a high-quality 165 Hz 16:10 IPS display. However, the laptop suffers from a low-resolution webcam, warm temperatures when gaming, and only average battery life.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS TUF F15 FX507ZM-ES74
- High TGP target for faster performance
- 300 Hz IPS panel with full sRGB coverage
- Chassis has some flexing issues
- No per-key RGB lighting
4.GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4
High-performing gaming laptop for entrepreneurs.- Impressive gaming and non-gaming performance
- Highly responsive 165Hz panel and wide color gamut
- PCIe 4.0 SSD, individual key lighting, and Thunderbolt 4 with Power Delivery
- Solid battery life
- High power usage at idle and low load
- No card reader
- Only one USB-A port
Summary
The GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4 offers impressive gaming and non-gaming performance, a highly responsive 165Hz panel, and a wide color gamut. It also has a PCIe 4.0 SSD, individual key lighting, Thunderbolt 4, Power Delivery, and solid battery life. However, it has high power usage at idle and low load, no card reader, and only one USB-A port.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Strix G15 G513RM
- Fair design and solid build quality
- Good inputs and IO
- No ThunderboltUSB 4, card-reader, camera or biometrics
- High CPU and GPU temperatures with games demanding loads (can be tweaked
5.ASUS ROG Strix Scar
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar is a top-performing laptop for running a business with excellent gaming capabilities, but falls short in battery life and heat management.- Sturdy construction
- Fast Wi-Fi 6E
- Excellent response times and wide color gamut coverage
- Unhindered Core i9-12900H and RTX 3070 Ti performance
- Limited display angle
- Heavy SSD throttling during continuous reads
- High heat and noise
Summary
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 G533 is a high-performing laptop that can handle gaming and business tasks with ease. It boasts a sturdy construction and fast Wi-Fi 6E, along with excellent response times and a wide color gamut. However, the laptop's limited display angle, heavy SSD throttling, high heat and noise emissions, and poor battery life may be a dealbreaker for some business users.
Reviews
Alternatives
Acer Predator Triton 500
- High performance capabilities
- Excellent, bright 240-Hz display
- Soldered-in RAM
- Inaccessible SSD
6.Dell XPS 17 9720
Dell XPS 17 9720 is a great laptop for business tasks with a beautiful 4K display.- Excellent 4K display with AdobeRGB
- High-quality case
- Thunderbolt 4 PCIe 4.0
- Very high system performance
- Lower graphics performance than the predecessor
- Performance not completely stable under combined load
- Not Wi-Fi 6E compatible
- 720p webcam
Summary
Dell XPS 17 9720 is a high-performance laptop with a beautiful 4K display and high-quality case. It has excellent system performance and a fast card reader, making it a great choice for business tasks. However, it has reduced graphics performance compared to its predecessor, lower stability under combined load, not Wi-Fi 6E compatible, and a 720p webcam.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo
- Impressively thin and elegant design, given the dual displays and sheer power
- Refined two-screen layout
- Very expensive, particularly in the configured model
- Awkward keyboard and touchpad layout
Table of the Best Laptops for running a business
| Laptop | Price (approx) |
| ASUS Zenbook | $640 |
| HP Victus 15 | $880 |
| Lenovo Legion 5 Pro | $1,350 |
| GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4 | $1,600 |
| ASUS ROG Strix Scar | $2,310 |
| Dell XPS 17 9720 | $5,600 |
