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The Best Business Laptops of 2021
How We Chose the Best Business Laptops
There are many kinds of business laptops available on the market, and it can be hard to know which will be the best bet for your team. Because each laptop has its own unique set of features and capabilities, it’s essential that buyers carefully compare different models before selecting one to purchase. To help you get started, we researched and evaluated business laptops on the most important features, including their power, portability, and ports available..
Power
When choosing a business laptop, considering its speed is important. Laptops with slower speeds can be a hassle, and they can make it harder for the user to get work done quickly and efficiently. We recommend investing in a business laptop with high-end CPU and GPU options and plenty of RAM. This will allow the laptop to run at its optimal performance to get more done with less delay.
Portability
When purchasing a business laptop, it’s essential to consider portability. Business often involves travel and requires individuals to work in different spaces, so the size and weight of a laptop are significant factors that shouldn’t be ignored. A slim, lightweight laptop that’s easy to grab and pack up is the best choice.
Ports
The amount and types of ports that a business laptop has can improve convenience and allow more technological devices to be used easily. Business laptops should ideally have at least one of each of the following: USB-A port, USB-C port, and SD card slot.
The 5 Best Business Laptops of 2021
| Laptop | Price | Visit |
|---|---|---|
| Acer Aspire 3 A315-33 | $469.99 | Visit Acer |
| Asus C302CA-DHM4 | Starts at $499 | Visit Asus |
| Dell Inspiron 5370 | $599 | Visit Dell |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 330 | $519 | Visit Lenovo |
| Microsoft Surface 1769 | Starts at $999.99 | Visit Microsoft |
Acer Aspire 3 A315-33
The Acer Aspire 3 A315-33 is the most affordable business laptop on this list. It costs $469.99 and has a generous 15.6-inch display with a weight of 4.6 pounds. With 500GB of internal hard drive storage, this laptop offers users a lot of space to store their files. This model of Acer’s Aspire is available in one color — obsidian black.
Here are the additional details you should know about the Acer Aspire 3 A315-33:
- Uses the Windows 10 Home operating system
- Has a screen resolution of 1366 x 768
- Includes a touchpad
- Has a processor speed of 1.60 GHz
- Includes two USB 2.0 ports and one USB 1.0 port
- Has one SD memory card slot
- Includes an HDMI port
- Has a Network (RJ-45) port
- Includes a warranty
| Price | Size & Weight | Features |
|---|---|---|
| $469.99 | Height: 0.85 inches Width: 15.02 inches Depth: 10.35 inches Weight: 4.6 pounds | >CPU: Intel Celeron (N3060, 1.60 GHz, 2Mb) - 15.6" screen >GPU: Intel HD Graphics 400 - 4GB DDR3L >RAM: 4GB DDR3L SDRAM >Storage: 500GB SATA >More features at Acer |
Pros & Cons of Acer Aspire 3 A315-33 Business Laptop
The Acer Aspire 3 A315-33 is a reliable and affordable laptop. Its low price point makes it an option growing teams should consider. One negative is that the battery doesn’t last very long without a recharge.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| >Affordable price point >Includes three USB ports >Includes an SD card slot | >Short battery life |
Asus C302CA-DHM4
The Asus C302CA-DHM4 is more than just a laptop. It can convert into four different positions — laptop, tablet, tent, and stand — for ultra-easy use at work or on business trips.
The Asus C302CA-DHM4 comes with 65GB of storage, has 4GB of RAM, and includes an SD card slot. Even though this is a Chromebook, it’s quite mighty thanks to its Intel Core M 6Y30 Processor and HD Graphics 515 graphics processor. And with a starting price of $499, it’s one of the more affordable options on this list.
Here are additional details about the Asus C302CA-DHM4:
- Includes a 12.5-inch Full HD wide-viewing-angle panel
- Has a convertible design to use the device like a laptop or tablet
- Offers a slim design that makes the device easy to transport
- Includes two USB-C ports
- Has a 39W battery that can last up to 10 hours on one charge
- Includes an SD memory card slot
- Runs on the Chrome OS 56.0 operating system
- Includes a warranty
| Price | Size & Weight | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Starts at $499 | Height: 0.54 inches Width: 11.97 inches Depth: 8.28 inches Weight: 5.84 pounds with the battery | >CPU: Intel Core m3-6Y30 Processor (4M Cache, up to 2.2GHz) >GPU: HD Graphics 515 >RAM: LPDDR3 4GB >Memory Type: LPDDR3 1600MHz >Storage: 64GB EMMC >More features at Asus |
Pros & Cons of Asus C302CA-DHM4 Business Laptop
The Asus C302CA-DHM4’s affordable price, convertible design, and lightweight build make it a solid option for growing teams. Its battery life and hard drive space doesn’t hold up as well compared to other options on the market, though.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| >FHD display >Easy to transport >Affordably priced | >Has a smaller hard drive >Chromebook means it may not be as fast as a traditional laptop |
Dell Inspiron 5370
The Dell Inspiron 5370 is one of the best options on our list of business laptops. At $599, it has an affordable price tag, plus a 13.3-inch display and weight of only 3.08 pounds. Its slick, slim design makes it easy to transport, which will be ideal for teams who travel a lot or frequently work from home.
The Dell Inspiron 5370 comes with different hard drive storage options, beginning at 128 GB, making it an excellent choice for buyers who want to make sure they have plenty of storage space for all their documents and files. This laptop comes in two color options — pink champagne and platinum silver.
Here’s what you should know about the Dell Inspiron 5370:
- Includes three USB ports
- Has an HDMI port
- Features a 13.3-inch FHD display
- Has a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080
- The battery lasts on average between five and six hours
- Includes a media card reader, which supports SH, SDHC, and SDXC
- Uses the Windows 10 Pro operating system
- Includes a touchpad
- Has a fingerprint reader for added security
- Includes a warranty
| Price | Size & Weight | Features |
|---|---|---|
| $599 | Height: 0.62 inches Width: 12.75 inches Depth: 8.66 inches Weight: 3.08 pounds | >CPU: 7th Generation Intel Core i3-7130U Processor (3MB Cache, 2.70GHz) >GPU: Intel HD Graphics 620 with shared graphic memory >RAM: 4GB DDR4 2400MHz (4GBx1) >Storage: 128GB/256GB M.2 SATA Solid State Drive >More features at Dell |
Pros & Cons of Dell Inspiron 5370 Business Laptop
The Inspiron 5370’s many ports make it easy to get work done while also using other devices. It runs on the Windows 10 Pro operating system, which is much more secure than the Windows 10 Home Edition. One issue with this laptop is its short battery life of around five to six hours.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| >Has many ports >Very thin, lightweight design >Runs on the Windows 10 Pro OS | >Short battery life |
Lenovo IdeaPad 330
The Lenovo IdeaPad 330 is another smart choice for individuals who want to invest in a quality business laptop. It has a 15.6-inch screen with different display configuration options available — including an HD anti-glare display, an HD glossy multi-touch display, and a Full HD anti-glare display. Depending on the chosen configuration, the starting weight of this laptop is 4.85 pounds, which is on par with similar options.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 330 is a powerful system and includes 1TB of hard drive storage. Color options include both platinum grey and onyx black.
Here are additional details about the Lenovo IdeaPad 330:
- Has a durable, sturdy design
- 6 inch HD and 15.6 FHD display options are available
- Includes two USB 3.0 ports and 1 USB-C port
- The battery lasts around 5.5 hours
- Includes a media card reader that supports SD, SDHC, SDXC, and MMC
- Has an HDMI port
- Includes a DVD drive
- Runs on the Windows 10 Home operating system
| Price | Size & Weight | Features |
|---|---|---|
| $519 | Height: 0.9 inches Width: 14.1 inches Depth: 10.2 inches Weight: 4.85 pounds | >CPU: 7th Generation Intel Core i3-7020U Processor (2.30GHz 3MB) Up to 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8300H Processor (2.30GHz, up to 4.0GHz with Turbo Boost, 8MB Cache) >GPU: Integrated Intel HD 620 Graphics Integrated Intel UHD 620 Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 2GB >RAM: 8GB DDR4 2400 MHz 6GB DDR4 2133 MHz >Storage: 1TB 5400 RPM >More features at Lenovo |
Pros & Cons of Lenovo IdeaPad 330 Business Laptop
There’s a lot to love about the Lenovo IdeaPad 330. It’s priced affordably and offers different display configuration options. However, some individuals may find the included DVD-RW is an unnecessary feature.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| >Priced well >Offers different display configurations >Includes plenty of ports | >Short battery life >DVD-RW drive may feel unnecessary |
Microsoft Surface 1769
The Microsoft Surface 1769 also makes a great business laptop. This laptop is slim and lightweight. It’s available in both 13.5-inch and 15-inch screen configurations, and has touchscreen capabilities. Hard drive storage is available in different sizes, including 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB.
The Microsoft Surface 1769 features USB-A and USB-C ports and a Surface Connect port. Its battery life of 11.5 hours. This laptop is available in various color options, including sandstone, cobalt blue, black, and platinum. Here are additional details about the Lenovo IdeaPad 330:
- Available in 13.5-inch or 15-inch screens
- A variety of CPU and GPU configurations are available
- Includes Windows Hello face sign-in for added security
- Has one USB-A port and one USB-C port
- Available in many color options
- A variety of hard drive configurations are available
- Includes a warranty
- Runs on the Windows 10 Home operating system
| Price | Size & Weight | Features |
|---|---|---|
| $469.99 | Surface Laptop 3 13.5" Height: 0.57 inches Width: 12.1 inches Depth: 8.8 inches Weight: 2.79-2.84 pounds, depending on model Surface Laptop 3 15" Height: 0.57 inches Width: 13.4 inches Depth: 9.6 inches Weight: 3.40 pounds | >CPU: Surface Laptop 3 13.5” Quad-core 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G7 Processor Quad-core 10th Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 Processor >GPU: Surface Laptop 3 13.5” Intel Iris Plus Graphics Surface Laptop 3 15” AMD Radeon Vega 9 Graphics >RAM: Surface Laptop 3 13.5” 8GB or 16GB LPDDR4x RAM Surface Laptop 3 15” >Storage: Removable solid-state drive (SSD) options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB >More features at Microsoft |
Pros & Cons of Microsoft Surface 1769 Business Laptop
This business laptop has a lot to love. It has a 10 point multi-touch screen. It also has a long battery life and a fast processor. This laptop does come with a higher price tag than other options, and it doesn’t come with an SD card slot.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| >Includes touchscreen capabilities >Has a long battery life >Features a fast processor | >Higher price point >There is no SD card slot |
What Are Business Laptops?
For individuals who plan to buy a new laptop for work, it’s important to buy one that will have good features — like a thin, lightweight, portable design, plenty of power to run many programs and handle multiple tasks at once, and plenty of ports to easily continue using important devices with the laptop. Buying a powerful, business-friendly laptop can make all the difference and is worth the money.
Laptops that are made for personal use or more casual computer usage may be sluggish, may not have as much memory, may not have a lot of ports, and may be missing other important features. That’s why it’s worthwhile to invest in a business laptop if it’s intended for work use.
Benefits of Business Laptops
There are many advantages to owning a business laptop, and it can be a better choice than trying to use a laptop designed for personal use. Here are some of the top benefits of owning a business laptop:
- They’re likely to last longer. Business laptops are made to run more powerfully and have better capabilities, meaning they tend to last a lot longer than laptop models aimed towards everyday people. This makes it a smarter investment.
- They’re easy to transport. A business laptop makes it easy for individuals to complete their work from anywhere. Business laptops need to be lightweight so that they’re not a hassle to tote around.
- They run better. Business laptops are made to run better because they have powerful processors. This makes it easier for the user to be productive. It’s also a lot easier to run multiple programs to handle different tasks at the same time.
- They may offer more support and better warranties. Business laptops often have better support available in case something goes wrong. They also tend to have an extended warranty period, making it easier to get repairs done without paying extra money.
Must-Have Features for Business Laptops
Choosing a business laptop with the right features is a must. Here are some must-have features that your next business laptop needs:
- Portability. Laptops that are meant for business use must be portable. This way, users will be able to bring their laptops to and from work and will be able to travel for meetings or business trips easily.
- Long battery life. A laptop with a long battery life can be a lifesaver. This allows an individual to work as long as they need to without having to recharge their laptop.
- Warranty. Having a warranty included when buying a business laptop can give users greater peace of mind when choosing a particular model. If something were to happen, they’d have the necessary support.
- Plenty of ports. To get a lot of use out of a business laptop, it should have plenty of ports. This includes USB ports as well as display ports, like HDMI, so that the laptop can be easily used during presentations and meetings.
- Good CPU speed. Owning a sluggish laptop makes it hard to get work done. Business laptops need to have good CPU speeds so that the whole computer works quickly and well without hiccups.
- Significant storage. No one likes having to worry about whether they’ll have enough storage space to save an important file. Business laptops should have a significant amount of storage or at least have the option to upgrade the storage in the future.
The Cost of Business Laptops
The pricing for business laptops can vary greatly based on each model’s specifications, like the memory, processor speed, RAM, display, ports, and size and weight. Individuals who plan to invest in a reliable, quality business laptop can expect to pay $450 at the bare minimum. This will give them a business laptop with basic capabilities.
A good model can be purchased for anywhere from $450 to $600. This is a pricing sweet spot, and many business laptops can be found within this price range. More superior business laptop models usually cost at least $750 and can easily run between $1,000 and $1,500.
It’s a good idea to carefully look at each laptop’s features and price point before choosing the exact one you want to buy. The laptop you choose should not be selected based on price alone. Instead, it’s a must that the buyer looks at what they’re getting. If a laptop that is slightly more has many more features, it may be more worthwhile to buy.