Choosing a good work laptop depends on many factors. One of these is the type of job you do. Those with creative jobs, such as graphic designers, will need a powerful processor, whereas remote workers who teach or attend many virtual meetings may want to consider the webcam quality.
Regardless of what type of work you do, or where you do your work, it’s important to find a suitable laptop that meets your demands.
Here are the best laptops for working from home.
Q: How Much RAM Do I Need to Work From Home?
Simple office work or webcam use shouldn’t need more than 4 to 8 GB of RAM, and many budget options could be sufficient.
The Intel Core i7 processor and 1TB SSD storage can handle tasks demanded by most jobs using CPU-intensive apps. Architects and engineers, for example, will be confident with its performance thanks to the generous 64GB of RAM and 8-core processor. Whereas writers will enjoy its excellent keyboard and love the large and accurate trackpad.
The display is vibrant and suitable for indoor and outdoor use. However, those needing color accuracy should know that it has an average Delta E grade. Therefore, it may not be ideal for photographers, graphic designers, etc.
While the Dell XPS 15 is undoubtedly a powerhouse, it doesn’t boast a particularly strong battery. It is okay if you work from your kitchen and have access to a steady power supply, but it could be a problem for digital nomads living somewhere with an unreliable power supply or anyone living in a disaster-prone area.
With 16GB of RAM, professionals from most fields will be able to use this machine seamlessly with multiple programs and apps in operation. You can configure it to 32GB RAM and a whopping 8TB of storage for a price. These upgrades will make the device suitable for any profession requiring CPU-intensive apps.
The build quality is excellent, with a sturdy and lightweight aluminum enclosure, and its sleek design and relatively small weight make it an ideal choice for those working from home. The battery performance is also a significant plus for on-the-go professionals or even stay-at-home remote workers that like a change of scenery at the cafe.
At the end of a long day, watching your favorite entertainment apps, chatting with friends on FaceTime, or just simply browsing the web is an enjoyable experience. With the 2021 Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch’s immersive display and high-quality audio, it’s hard to find a reason to turn it off.
The Intel Core i5 processor can easily handle most tasks, and the Intel Iris Xe Graphics GPU is good enough for most remote work. The build quality, too, is decent despite its low price. Couple this with the seven-hour battery life and slim build, and it’s easy to see why the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is great for remote workers.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 has a solid 300-nit 1080p IPS panel, which is also a multi-touchscreen, meaning it’s pretty versatile depending on how you want to work. You can comfortably use it in different environments without having to squint, allowing you to be able to work indoors or outdoors. However, if you plan to attend virtual meetings or hold conferences, you may find the webcam doesn’t offer the best quality; an additional purchase might be required.
Battery life is exceptional with this laptop, which is a convenient aspect that those working from home need to consider. Excellent battery life means you can take your work away from home to the cafe or even the park.
With an incredible 20 hours of battery life in this machine, you will unlikely feel the stress associated with a draining battery at a critical time. Also, its sleek and lightweight design means that you can easily pack and move with minimal effort. While the camera quality isn’t the best, it is good enough for virtual meetings or online classes to pass without incident.
It conveniently converts into a tablet whenever needed and comes complete with the MPP2.0 Tilt Pen. It is a perfect accessory for those that prefer to make handwritten notes when attending virtual meetings or those working in creative industries. The pen’s battery has a long life, so you can feel confident it will last for the entirety of any task.
The 13.5-inch screen has a 3:2 ratio, which is seen more in the laptop market nowadays. This ratio means less zooming in and out and less scrolling, saving you time and keeping you organized and focused.
However, for those remote-working gamers out there, never fear—you can fit the Razer Book 13 with an eGPU, such as the Razer Core X, which will convert it into a laptop you can use for work and for gaming in your spare time. The major downfall, though, is that a good eGPU doesn’t come cheap, and for digital nomads, it will add considerable weight and take up more space in your luggage.
The Razer Book 13 alone has a good enough performance for working from home, so it is one traveling remote workers can consider. If you tend not to travel so much, you can use the eGPU for gaming and work productivity.
It boasts performance good enough for just about any kind of remote work. Content writers, teachers, and those who need to do many virtual meetings can easily use an older model. However, the newer version featuring the chip is a safe bet for all.
The MacBook Air 2020 boasts a high-quality HD camera, and thanks to its thermal efficiency technology, it can run all day without heating too much. It’s ideal for working from home, or taking it with you when you need to work on the go.
However, those working in fields requiring many processes running simultaneously should consider 16 GB. Keep in mind that finding a budget laptop with 16GB RAM will be difficult.
Q: What Laptop Specs Do I Need for Remote Work?
If you are working from home, you won’t need to worry too much about battery life, weight, or dimensions. However, if you are on the go, then these factors can be important.
Also, your laptop should have a good enough processor for your type of job. Intel Core i3, AMD 8, AMD Ryzen 3, and 5 are suitable for average intensity work. Intel Core i5, i7, i9, Xeon, and Apple’s M1 chips are better for high-intensity work.
Q: Is a Bigger Laptop Screen Better?
A bigger screen is undoubtedly better if you are only required to use the laptop at home. You will be able to view documents and attend meetings or hold classes more efficiently on a bigger screen.
However, digital nomads may want to consider the screen size solely for transportation purposes.
