As the world shifts towards remote work, having a reliable laptop has become more important than ever. Of course, working from home can bring its own set of challenges and distractions, but with the right tool in your arsenal, you can stay productive and focused. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best laptops for working from home that offer functionality and versatility. Whether you’re a creative professional or need to run multiple applications simultaneously, there’s sure to be a laptop on this list that will fit your needs perfectly! So let’s dive in and find out which is best for you.
Table of Contents
1. MacBook Pro
MacBook Pro laptops are an excellent choice for users who demand high performance, great design, and excellent build quality. While they can be expensive, they offer some of the best features and specifications available in a laptop.
Features:
- High-end performance: MacBook Pro laptops are known for their powerful performance, making them suitable for demanding tasks such as video editing, 3D modeling, and gaming.
- Retina display: MacBook Pro laptops feature high-resolution displays with excellent color accuracy and contrast.
- Touch Bar: The Touch Bar is a small touchscreen display above the keyboard with context-sensitive controls and shortcuts.
- macOS operating system: MacBook Pro laptops run on macOS, Apple’s proprietary operating system.
- Slim and lightweight design: MacBook Pro laptops are known for their sleek and premium design, making them easy to carry around.
- Excellent build quality: MacBook Pro laptops are made from high-quality materials such as aluminum, making them durable and long-lasting.
- Excellent battery life: MacBook Pro laptops offer impressive battery life, lasting up to 10 hours on a single charge.
Specifications:
- Processor: MacBook Pro laptops come with powerful processors, ranging from dual-core to six-core Intel processors.
- Memory: MacBook Pro laptops have at least 8GB of memory, but some models can have up to 32GB of memory.
- Storage: MacBook Pro laptops have solid-state drives (SSD) ranging from 128GB to 4TB.
- Graphics: MacBook Pro laptops feature integrated or dedicated graphics cards, depending on the model.
- Ports: MacBook Pro laptops come with a variety of ports, including Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, and HDMI.
Pros:
- Excellent performance: MacBook Pro laptops offer some of the best performance on the market, making them suitable for demanding tasks.
- Premium design: MacBook Pro laptops are known for their sleek and premium design, making them a fashionable accessory.
- Great display: MacBook Pro laptops feature high-resolution displays with excellent color accuracy and contrast.
- Good battery life: MacBook Pro laptops offer impressive battery life, lasting up to 10 hours on a single charge.
- Excellent build quality: MacBook Pro laptops are made from high-quality materials such as aluminum, making them durable and long-lasting.
Cons:
- Expensive: MacBook Pro laptops are among the most expensive laptops on the market.
- Limited ports: Some MacBook Pro models have limited ports, which can be inconvenient for users who need to connect multiple peripherals.
- No upgradeability: Most MacBook Pro laptops have non-upgradable components, such as memory and storage, which can be a drawback for some users.
Where to buy:
- SUPERCHARGED BY M2 — The 13-inch MacBook Pro laptop is a portable powerhouse. Get more done faster with a next-generation 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU and up to 24GB of unified memory.
- UP TO 20 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Go all day and into the night, thanks to the power-efficient performance of the Apple M2 chip.
- SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE — Thanks to its active cooling system, the 13-inch MacBook Pro can sustain pro levels of performance, so you can run CPU- and GPU-intensive tasks for hours on end.
- BRILLIANT DISPLAY — The 13.3-inch Retina display features 500 nits of brightness and P3 wide colour for vibrant images and incredible detail.
- HD CAMERA AND STUDIO-QUALITY MICS — Look sharp and sound great with a FaceTime HD camera and three-mic array.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Two Thunderbolt ports let you connect and power high-speed accessories.
- EASY TO USE — Your Mac feels familiar from the moment you turn it on, and it works seamlessly with all your Apple devices.
- SIMPLY COMPATIBLE — All your go-to apps run lightning-fast — including Microsoft 365, Zoom, and many of your favourite iPhone and iPad apps.
- COMES WITH APPLECARE WARRANTY – Every Mac comes with a one-year limited warranty and up to 90 days of complimentary technical support. Get AppleCare+ to extend your coverage.
- SUPERCHARGED BY M2 PRO OR M2 MAX — Take on demanding projects with the M2 Pro or M2 Max chip. M2 Pro has 12 CPU cores, 19 GPU cores, and up to 32GB unified memory. M2 Max has 12 CPU cores, up to 38 GPU cores, and up to 96GB unified memory.
- UP TO 22 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Go all day thanks to the power-efficient design of the M2 Pro or M2 Max chip. And the MacBook Pro laptop delivers exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.
- FULLY COMPATIBLE — All your pro apps run lightning fast — including Adobe Creative Cloud, Xcode, Affinity Designer, Microsoft 365, and many of your favorite iPhone and iPad apps.
- BEAUTIFUL PRO DISPLAY — The 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display features Extreme Dynamic Range, over 1000 nits of brightness for stunning HDR content, and pro reference modes for doing your best work on the go.
- ADVANCED CAMERA AND AUDIO — Look sharp and sound great with a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, a studio-quality three-mic array, and a six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio.
- CONNECT WHAT YOU WANT — MacBook Pro features a MagSafe charging port, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an SDXC card slot, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack. And enjoy seamless wireless connectivity with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
- MAGIC KEYBOARD WITH TOUCH ID — Magic Keyboard comes with a full-height function key row and Touch ID, which gives you a fast, easy, secure way to unlock your Mac and sign in to apps and sites.
- WORKS WITH ALL YOUR APPLE DEVICES — You can do amazing things when you use your Apple devices together. Copy something on iPhone and paste it on MacBook Pro. Use your MacBook Pro to answer FaceTime calls or send texts with Messages. And that’s just the beginning.
- BUILT TO LAST — The all-aluminum unibody enclosure is exceptionally durable. Free software updates keep things running smoothly and securely for years to come.
- LEGAL DISCLAIMERS — This is a summary of the main product features. See legal disclaimers below.
2. Google Pixelbook
The Google Pixelbook is an excellent choice for users who demand high performance, a lightweight design, and versatile functionality. While it can be expensive and has limited app availability, it offers some of the best features and specifications available in a Chromebook.
Features:
- High-end performance: The Pixelbook is known for its powerful performance, making it suitable for demanding tasks such as video editing and gaming.
- Lightweight design: The Pixelbook is slim and lightweight, making it easy to carry around.
- 2-in-1 design: The Pixelbook can be used as a laptop or tablet, providing versatility for different use cases.
- Chrome OS: The Pixelbook runs on Chrome OS, Google’s lightweight operating system designed for web-based applications.
- Google Assistant: The Pixelbook features Google Assistant, providing users with voice control and intelligent assistance.
- Excellent build quality: The Pixelbook is made from high-quality materials such as aluminum, making it durable and long-lasting.
- Good battery life: The Pixelbook offers up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge.
Specifications:
- Processor: The Pixelbook has an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, providing fast and powerful performance.
- Memory: The Pixelbook has at least 8GB of memory, but some models can have up to 16GB of memory.
- Storage: The Pixelbook comes with a solid-state drive (SSD) ranging from 128GB to 512 GB.
- Display: The Pixelbook features a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 2400×1600 pixels.
- Ports: The Pixelbook has two USB-C ports and a headphone jack.
Pros:
- Fast and powerful performance: The Pixelbook offers excellent performance, making it suitable for demanding tasks.
- Lightweight design: The Pixelbook is slim and lightweight, making it easy to carry around.
- Versatile 2-in-1 design: The Pixelbook can be used as a laptop or tablet, providing versatility for different use cases.
- Excellent build quality: The Pixelbook is made from high-quality materials, making it durable and long-lasting.
- Good battery life: The Pixelbook offers up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge.
Cons:
- Limited app availability: Chrome OS has limited app availability compared to other operating systems like macOS or Windows.
- Expensive: The Pixelbook is among the more expensive laptops on the market.
- Limited ports: The Pixelbook has limited ports, which can be inconvenient for users who need to connect multiple peripherals.
Where to buy:
3. Microsoft Surface Laptop
The Microsoft Surface Laptop is an excellent choice for users who demand a premium design, amazing display, and comfortable keyboard and trackpad. While it can be expensive and has limited ports and upgradeability, it offers some of the best features and specifications available in a Windows laptop.
Features:
- Premium design: The Surface Laptop has a sleek and stylish design featuring a premium aluminum construction.
- High-quality display: The Surface Laptop features a high-resolution touchscreen display with excellent color accuracy and contrast.
- Windows 10 operating system: The Surface Laptop runs on Windows 10, Microsoft’s popular operating system.
- Excellent battery life: The Surface Laptop offers up to 14.5 hours of battery life on a single charge.
- Thin and lightweight: The Surface Laptop is slim and lightweight, making it easy to carry around.
- Comfortable keyboard and trackpad: The Surface Laptop features a comfortable keyboard and trackpad, making it easy to type and navigate.
- Windows Hello: The Surface Laptop features Windows Hello, providing users with fast and secure facial recognition login.
Specifications:
- Processor: The Surface Laptop has a range of Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, providing fast and powerful performance.
- Memory: The Surface Laptop has at least 8GB of memory, but some models can have up to 16GB of memory.
- Storage: The Surface Laptop comes with a solid-state drive (SSD) ranging from 128GB to 1TB.
- Display: The Surface Laptop features a 13.5-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 2256×1504 pixels.
- Ports: The Surface Laptop has a USB-A port, a USB-C port, a headphone jack, and a Surface Connect port for charging and docking.
Pros:
- Premium design: The Surface Laptop features a sleek and stylish design, making it a fashionable accessory.
- Great battery life: The Surface Laptop offers up to 14.5 hours of battery life on a single charge, making it ideal for users who need to work on the go.
- Comfortable keyboard and trackpad: The Surface Laptop features a comfortable keyboard and trackpad, making it easy to type and navigate.
- Windows Hello: The Surface Laptop features Windows Hello, providing users with fast and secure facial recognition login.
- Excellent display: The Surface Laptop features a high-resolution touchscreen display with excellent color accuracy and contrast.
Cons:
- Limited ports: The Surface Laptop has limited ports, which can be inconvenient for users who need to connect multiple peripherals.
- Limited upgradeability: The Surface Laptop has non-upgradable components such as memory and storage, which can be a drawback for some users.
- Expensive: The Surface Laptop is among the more expensive laptops on the market.
Where to buy:
- Sleek and super-lightweight with an exceptionally comfortable keyboard..Voltage:240.0 volts
- 13.5” PixelSense touchscreen for ultra-portable productivity.[2]
- 12th Gen Intel Core with Thunderbolt 4 connectivity and all-day battery.[3]
- Warm, sophisticated Alcantara or edgy, cool metal, and bold colors.[2]
- Studio Mics and enhanced camera experiences, powered by Windows 11.
- Cinematic entertainment with Dolby Vision[4]and Dolby Atmos.[5]
- Windows Hello, built-in Windows 11 security, and secured OneDrive cloud storage with Microsoft 365.[1]
- Play hundreds of high-quality games including day one releases with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.[6]
4. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is an excellent choice for business users who need a lightweight, durable, and reliable laptop with long battery life and built-in privacy features. While it can be expensive and has limited graphics performance and upgradeability, it offers some of the best features and specifications available in a business laptop.
Features:
- Lightweight and slim: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is one of the lightest and thinnest business-class laptops available, making it easy to carry around.
- Durable build: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is made with a carbon fiber reinforced chassis that is designed to withstand rigorous use and protect against damage from bumps and drops.
- Rapid charging: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon features rapid charging technology, allowing users to charge their laptops quickly and efficiently.
- Long battery life: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon offers up to 18.5 hours of battery life, making it an ideal choice for users who need to work on the go.
- Excellent keyboard: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon features a well-designed keyboard that is comfortable to type on for extended periods of time.
- Fingerprint reader: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon includes a fast and secure login fingerprint reader.
- Built-in privacy features: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon has built-in privacy features such as a webcam cover and a microphone mute button.
Specifications:
- Processor: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon comes with a range of 10th Gen Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, providing fast and powerful performance.
- Memory: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon has at least 8GB of memory, but some models can have up to 16GB or 32GB of memory.
- Storage: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon comes with a solid-state drive (SSD) ranging from 256GB to 2TB.
- Display: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon features a 14-inch display with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels or 2560×1440 pixels.
- Ports: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon has two USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports, two USB-A 3.1 ports, an HDMI port, a headphone/mic combo jack, and a microSD card reader.
Pros:
- Lightweight and durable: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is lightweight and has a durable build, making it ideal for users who need to work on the go or in challenging environments.
- Long battery life: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon offers up to 18.5 hours of battery life, making it an ideal choice for users who need to work for extended periods of time without access to a power outlet.
- Excellent keyboard: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon features a well-designed keyboard that is comfortable to type on for extended periods of time.
- Fingerprint reader and privacy features: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon includes a fingerprint reader for fast and secure login and built-in privacy features such as a webcam cover and a microphone mute button.
Cons:
- Expensive: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is among the more expensive laptops on the market.
- Limited graphics performance: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is not ideal for users who need to perform demanding graphics-intensive tasks such as video editing or gaming.
- Limited upgradeability: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon has non-upgradable components such as memory and storage, which can be a drawback for some users.
Where to buy:
- First available mid 2021, the flagship ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 is a powerhouse of performance boosting features in an ultrathin and ultralight form factor. Stay productive wherever work takes you with an impressive 16:10 display, a wider TouchPad, and a larger battery than previous generations. With a host of docking options, including Thunderbolt 4, USB C and USB 3.0 docks, you can connect to multiple peripherals, experience faster downloads, and enjoy quick file transfers.
- RESPONSIVENESS REIMAGINED: Built on the Intel Evo platform, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 laptop delivers a powerhouse combination of performance, responsiveness, battery life, and stunning visuals. Minimal preloaded applications mean maximum battery life and responsiveness for users, and faster deployment for IT admins. Speedy WiFi 6 lets you jump on crowded public platforms fast while avoiding lag-time and buffering.
- PORTS: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 // 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On) // 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40Gbps (support data transfer, Power Delivery 3.0 and DisplayPort 1.4a) // 1x HDMI 2.0b // 1x Headphone microphone combo jack (3.5mm) // Does NOT include the optional LTE sim card slot found on 4G WWAN Mobile Broadband configurations.
- SECURITY and PRIVACY: Fingerprint Reader, Camera with Windows Hello, Enabled Discrete TPM 2.0, BIOS Absolute Enabled, TCG certified, Kensington Nano Security Slot, match-on-chip touch style fingerprint reader on the power button, Camera privacy shutter. With a suite of built in ThinkShield security solutions, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 safeguards your data. Biometrics provide an extra secure fingerprint reader integrated with the power button to log in and boot up instantaneously.
- PROCESSOR: 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor (2.80 GHz, up to 4.70 GHz with Turbo Boost, 4 Cores, 8 Threads, 12 MB Cache) // STORAGE: 512 GB PCIe OPAL SSD, // MEMORY: 16 GB LPDDR4X 4266MHz (Soldered) // CERTIFICATIONS: EPEAT Gold, Energy Star 8.0, TCO Certified 9.0, RoHS compliant
- DISPLAY: 14.0″ FHD+ (1920 x 1200) IPS, anti-glare, low power, 400 nits // CONNECTIVITY: Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201, 802.11ax 2×2 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.1 // Fingerprint Reader // Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics // Windows 10 Pro 64 preinstalled (No charge Windows 11 Pro Available) // 720p HD Camera
- AUDIO: Dolby Atmos Speaker System with two upward-firing speakers and two downward-firing woofers, Four 360-degree far-field microphones, Dolby Voice // BATTERY: Up to 16.7 hours based on testing with the MobileMark 2018 standard. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage, and other factors. // KEYBOARD: US English standard QWERTY, 6-row, spill-resistant, multimedia Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
- MILITARY-GRADE TOUGH: ThinkPad laptops are tested against 12 military-grade requirements and more than 200 quality checks to ensure they run in extreme conditions. From the Arctic wilderness to desert dust storms, from zero gravity to spills and drops, you can trust these laptops to handle whatever life throws your way. // COOL UNDER PRESSURE: The one bar hinge, dual fan, and rear venting for an improved Intelligent Thermal Solution so the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 laptop will stay cool.
- VIBRANT VISUALS EASY ON THE EYES: The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 features a refined 16:10 display with narrow bezels and a rich, high-resolution screen. Powerful Intel Iris X graphics render amazing picture clarity and color accuracy, whether you’re video-conferencing, browsing, or watching media.
- ENHANCED REMOTE COLLABORATION: The Dolby Atmos Speaker System on the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 laptop includes two upward-firing speakers and two downward firing woofers; this creates an immersive sound experience you’ll enjoy for work and for play. Dolby Voice and four 360 degree far field mics combined with a high definition camera for visual clarity improve remote collaboration and ensure you’re heard loud and clear during calls.
5. Dell XPS 13
The Dell XPS 13 is an excellent choice for users who prioritize portability, powerful performance, and long battery life. While it can be expensive and has limited ports and non-upgradeable memory, it offers some of the best features and specifications available in an ultra-portable laptop.
Features:
- Ultra-portable design: The Dell XPS 13 is a very lightweight and portable laptop, making it easy to take on the go.
- InfinityEdge display: The XPS 13 features a virtually borderless display, giving users a larger screen in a smaller form factor.
- Powerful performance: The XPS 13 is equipped with the latest 11th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, providing fast and powerful performance.
- Long battery life: The XPS 13 can last up to 19 hours on a single charge, making it an ideal choice for users who need to work on the go.
- Fast charging: The XPS 13 features fast charging technology, allowing users to charge their laptops quickly and efficiently.
- High-quality build: The XPS 13 is made with premium materials such as machined aluminum and Gorilla Glass, giving it a sleek and durable design.
Specifications:
- Processor: The XPS 13 comes with the latest 11th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, providing fast and powerful performance.
- Memory: The XPS 13 comes with at least 8GB of memory, but some models can have up to 16GB or 32GB of memory.
- Storage: The XPS 13 comes with a solid-state drive (SSD) ranging from 256GB to 2TB.
- Display: The XPS 13 features a 13.4-inch display with a resolution of 1920×1200 pixels or 3840×2400 pixels.
- Ports: The XPS 13 has two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a microSD card reader, and a headphone/mic combo jack.
Pros:
- Ultra-portable design: The Dell XPS 13 is very lightweight and portable, making it an ideal choice for users who need to work on the go.
- InfinityEdge display: The XPS 13 features a virtually borderless display, giving users a larger screen in a smaller form factor.
- Powerful performance: The XPS 13 is equipped with the latest 11th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, providing fast and powerful performance.
- Long battery life: The XPS 13 can last up to 19 hours on a single charge, making it an ideal choice for users who need to work for extended periods of time without access to a power outlet.
- Fast charging: The XPS 13 features fast charging technology, allowing users to charge their laptops quickly and efficiently.
Cons:
- Limited ports: The XPS 13 has only two Thunderbolt 4 ports, which may not be enough for users who need to connect multiple devices.
- Expensive: The XPS 13 is among the more expensive laptops on the market.
- Non-upgradeable memory: The XPS 13 has non-upgradable memory, which can be a drawback for some users who want to upgrade their laptop’s memory in the future.
Where to buy:
- GUARANTEED POWER: With 11th Gen InteI Core mobile processors, it’s now possible to enjoy incredibly immersive entertainment on a remarkably thin and light touchscreen laptop.
- KILLER WIRELESS: With Wi-Fi 6 techology, the Killer AX1650 prioritizes streaming video, communication, and game traffic in your system for fast, smooth online experiences.
- STUNNING IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT: Dolby Vision content can deliver highlights that are up to 40 times brighter, and blacks that are up to 10 times darker.
- START IN AN INSTANT: A built in lid sensor with a new press fit hinge allows you to open the lid with one hand and power up in milliseconds, no matter what power-state you are in.
- DELL SERVICES: Your Dell XPS includes 1 year of Dell Premium Support with priority access to deicated experts anywhere, anytime even when traveling internationally.
Buyers Guide
When it comes to choosing the best laptop for working from home, there are a few important factors to consider.
1. You don’t need a super-powerful laptop to work from home unless you’re a professional graphic designer or video editor. Instead, a mid-range laptop should have plenty of processing power and memory for most office-based applications and internet browsing. It also needs to be lightweight enough to carry around the house or apartment, so you can take it with you when you need to work in different rooms.
2. Battery life is important when working from home since you may not always have access to an outlet. A laptop with at least eight hours of battery life will let you get through a full workday without having to recharge.
3. A solid-state drive (SSD) laptop will boot up faster and open applications quicker than one with a standard hard drive. Of course, SSDs are more expensive than hard drives, but they’re well worth the price if you can afford them.
4. Many people find that a 15-inch laptop is too large to comfortably use around the house, while a 13-inch model is too small to get work done efficiently. However, a 14-inch laptop strikes a good balance between portability and screen size.
5. If you plan on doing any video conferencing for work, make sure your laptop has a built-in webcam and microphone. Some laptops also have fingerprint scanners and facial recognition features for added security when working with sensitive data.
Conclusion
After reviewing several laptops, it is clear that many great options are available for those who work from home. The MacBook Pro, Google Pixelbook, Microsoft Surface Laptop, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, and Dell XPS 13 all offer unique features and benefits that make them worth considering.
When choosing the best laptop for working from home, it’s important to consider factors such as portability, processing power, battery life, and price. But ultimately, the choice will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
No matter which laptop you choose, be sure to also invest in a comfortable chair and other ergonomic accessories to ensure optimal comfort while working from home. With the right tools at hand and an efficient workspace set up with a quality laptop like any of these top picks above can help increase productivity levels significantly.