With the rise of remote work, having a reliable laptop has become more important. Whether you are a freelancer, a digital nomad, or a remote employee, a laptop that can handle your workload and keep up with your daily tasks is crucial. Your laptop must have excellent performance, a comfortable keyboard, a high-quality display, and long battery life.
With so many options available, deciding which laptop to purchase can be challenging. That’s why we have compiled a list of the best laptops for working from home, taking into account their features, price, and user feedback. In this article, we will explore the most important factors to consider when choosing a laptop for remote work and highlight the top laptops that can help you maximize your productivity and get the job done.
How do I choose a laptop for work?
Choosing the right laptop for working from home can be a challenging task. With so many options available, deciding which laptop to purchase can be overwhelming. This article will guide you through the factors to consider when choosing the best laptop for working from home.
Purpose and Usage
Before you start searching for the best laptop for working from home, it is essential to understand your purpose and usage. Are you a content creator, a programmer, or an accountant? Your laptop choice will depend on the nature of your work and the programs you will use.
Performance
Performance is critical when choosing the best laptop for working from home. You need a laptop that can handle your workload without lagging or freezing. Consider the processor, RAM, and storage capacity of the laptop.
Display and Screen Size
Your laptop’s display and screen size are crucial to your work-from-home experience. You need a laptop with a high-quality display that is easy on the eyes, especially if you spend long hours in front of the screen. The screen size should also be comfortable for your work.
Portability and Battery Life
If you are always on the go, a laptop’s portability and battery life become essential factors to consider. You need a lightweight laptop that is easy to carry, with a battery that can last you a full day of work.
Connectivity Options
Ensure your laptop has all the necessary connectivity options, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB ports. Consider the availability of an HDMI port, a microphone, and a webcam if you need to attend video conferences.
Budget
Choosing the best laptop for working from home doesn’t necessarily mean breaking the bank. You can find a laptop that meets all your needs and fits your budget. Consider the value for money and the longevity of the laptop.
Best laptops for working from home
| Laptops | Battery life | Reason to buy |
| Apple 2020 MacBook Air Laptop M1 Chip, 13″ Retina Display | 18 hours. | Reliable and efficient laptop. |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 | 11.5 hours. | Best budget laptop. |
| Lenovo 2022 Newest Ideapad 3 Laptop, 15.6 | 10 hours. | High-performance, flexible, and durable computer. |
| HP Pavilion 15 Laptop, 11th Gen Intel Core i7 | 8 hours and 15 minutes. | Powerful processing capabilities. |
| Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-347N Slim Laptop | 8.5 hours. | Slim and lightweight design. |
1. Apple 2020 MacBook Air Laptop M1 Chip, 13″ Retina Display
The Apple 2020 MacBook Air Laptop M1 Chip, 13″ Retina Display is great for working from home. It is one of the best laptops for working from home due to its powerful performance, stunning display, and long battery life. The laptop is equipped with Apple’s M1 chip, specifically designed for the MacBook Air, and it provides up to 3.5x faster performance than its predecessor.
The laptop has a 13.3-inch Retina display that delivers a crisp and clear viewing experience. Its resolution is 2560 x 1600 pixels, making it one of the best laptops for working from home. The True Tone technology adjusts the screen’s color temperature based on the ambient light in the room, making it easier on the eyes.
The MacBook Air is also a great option for those who need a comfortable typing experience. It features a backlit Magic Keyboard with responsive keys and a good amount of travel, making typing feel natural and effortless.
Regarding connectivity, the laptop comes with two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0, making it easy to connect to external displays, transfer data, and stay connected to the internet.
One of the best things about the MacBook Air is its power efficiency. The M1 chip provides excellent battery life, and the laptop can last up to 18 hours on a single charge. This makes it one of the best budget laptops for working from home since you won’t have to worry about plugging it in often.
Overall, the Apple 2020 MacBook Air Laptop M1 Chip, 13″ Retina Display is an excellent choice for those who need a reliable and efficient laptop for working from home.
| Pros | Cons |
| Powerful performance.Stunning Retina display.Long battery life.Comfortable Magic Keyboard.Efficient M1 chip. | Limited ports.No touch bar option. |
2. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is a sleek and powerful device designed with productivity in mind. This laptop is perfect for anyone looking for the best laptop for working from home. It has great performance, a sleek look, and a host of features that make it one of the best work-from-home laptops.
One of the standout features of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is its excellent build quality. The device is crafted from premium materials, including a sturdy aluminum chassis, which gives it a premium look and feel. The laptop is also impressively lightweight, making it easy to take wherever you go.
When it comes to performance, the Surface Laptop 7 does not disappoint. It is powered by Intel’s latest 10th-generation Core processors, which provide speedy and responsive performance. The laptop has up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage for all your work-from-home needs.
Its 13.5-inch touchscreen display makes the Surface Laptop 7 one of the best laptops for working from home. The 2256 x 1504 screen is sharp and clear, excellent for video conferencing, online meetings, and multitasking.
The laptop also supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C, USB-A, and a headphone jack. You can also quickly attach monitors, printers, and external hard drives, making working from home easy.
Regarding battery life, the Surface Laptop 7 can last up to 11.5 hours on a single charge. Additionally, the laptop comes with a fast-charging feature. Moreover, the fast charging also allows you to charge up to 80% in just under an hour.
Finally, the Surface Laptop 7 is also an excellent choice for those looking for the best budget laptop for working from home. It is priced competitively, making it an affordable option for anyone who needs a powerful and reliable laptop for remote work.
| Pros | Cons |
| Stylish and sleek design.High-quality display.Fast performance.Long battery life.Comfortable keyboard and touchpad. | Limited ports.No Thunderbolt 3 support. |
3. Lenovo 2022 Newest Ideapad 3 Laptop, 15.6
The Lenovo 2022 Newest Ideapad 3 Laptop is a powerful and versatile computing machine that offers a range of features to enhance your productivity and entertainment needs. Boasting a large 15.6-inch display, this laptop delivers stunning visuals and a comfortable viewing experience. With its slim and lightweight design, the Ideapad 3 is easy to carry around and ideal for on-the-go computing.
Under the hood, the Ideapad 3 is powered by an Intel Core i5 processor, providing fast and efficient performance for all your computing needs. The laptop also features 8GB of RAM, allowing you to multitask and switch between applications easily. Additionally, the 256GB SSD gives you enough space to save all your documents, files, and multimedia content.
The Ideapad 3 also boasts a range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB 3.1, HDMI, and a 4-in-1 SD card reader. You can easily connect to the internet, transfer files, and connect to external displays for a more immersive viewing experience.
The laptop also features a comfortable and responsive keyboard, making typing a breeze, and the touchpad is precise and responsive, allowing you to navigate the interface smoothly. Furthermore, the Ideapad 3 has a built-in webcam, making connecting with friends, family, and colleagues easy.
Overall, the Lenovo 2022 Newest Ideapad 3 Laptop is an excellent choice for a versatile, reliable, high-performance computing machine.
| Pros | Cons |
| Large display.Fast performance.Ample storage.Range of connectivity options.Comfortable keyboard and touchpad. | No dedicated graphics card.Non-upgradable RAM. |
4. HP Pavilion 15 Laptop, 11th Gen Intel Core i7
The Lenovo 2022 Newest Ideapad 3 Laptop is one of the best laptops for working from home, thanks to its impressive features, high performance, and affordable price point. With its large 15.6-inch display, this laptop provides ample screen real estate, making it easy to work on multiple applications or documents simultaneously.
The Ideapad 3’s Intel Core i5 processor makes running demanding programs, video conferences, and online browsing easy. Furthermore, the 256GB SSD provides ample storage space for all your important files, documents, and multimedia content.
The Ideapad 3 also features a range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB 3.1, HDMI, and a 4-in-1 SD card reader. This makes it easy to connect to the internet, transfer files, and connect to external displays for a more immersive work experience.
The laptop also boasts a comfortable and responsive keyboard, making typing a breeze, and the touchpad is precise and responsive, allowing you to navigate the interface smoothly. Additionally, the Ideapad 3 has a built-in webcam and microphone, making it easy to stay connected with colleagues and clients.
Overall, the Lenovo 2022 Newest Ideapad 3 Laptop is the best budget laptop for working from home, thanks to its high-performance hardware, sleek design, and range of features.
| Pros | Cons |
| Large and high-quality display.Fast and efficient performance.Ample storage space.Range of connectivity options.Affordable price point. | No dedicated graphics card.Non-upgradable RAM. |
5. Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-347N Slim Laptop
The Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-347N Slim Laptop is a powerful, versatile computing machine perfect for working from home. With its sleek and lightweight design, this laptop is easy to carry around and ideal for on-the-go computing.
The Aspire 5 boasts a large 15.6-inch Full HD display that delivers stunning visuals and a comfortable viewing experience. Under the hood, the laptop is powered by an Intel Core i3 processor, providing fast and efficient performance for all your computing needs. The laptop also features 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, allowing you to multitask seamlessly and store all your important files, documents, and multimedia content.
The Aspire 5 also boasts a range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB 3.2, HDMI, and a multi-format SD card reader. You can easily connect to the internet, transfer files, and connect to external displays for a more immersive work experience.
The laptop also features a comfortable and responsive keyboard, making typing a breeze, and the touchpad is precise and responsive, allowing you to navigate the interface smoothly. Furthermore, the Aspire 5 has a built-in webcam and microphone, making staying connected easily with colleagues and clients.
Overall, the Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-347N Slim Laptop is one of the best budget laptops for working from home, thanks to its high-performance hardware, sleek design, and features.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable price.Good performance.Lightweight and portable.Long battery life.Fast charging. | Limited storage space.Average display quality. |
FAQs.
1. What size laptop should I get for work from home?
The laptop size you should get for working from home depends on your preferences and requirements. However, a laptop with a screen size of 13 to 15 inches is typically a good choice as it balances portability and usability. Larger screen size may be more comfortable for long work sessions and better for multitasking, while a smaller size may be more portable and easier to carry around.
2. Is it OK to use a work laptop for personal use?
Whether it is okay to use a work laptop for personal use depends on the policies and guidelines of the company. Some companies prohibit using work laptops for personal use, while others allow it as long as it doesn’t interfere with work tasks or violate company policies.
However, it’s important to understand that work laptops are provided for work-related tasks and are subject to the company’s security protocols and monitoring. Using a work laptop for personal use could compromise the security of sensitive company information and put the company and the employee at risk. Therefore, checking with your supervisor or HR department is always recommended to ensure you follow company guidelines and prioritize company data security.
3. How much should I pay for a work laptop?
The price of a work laptop can vary depending on the user’s specific needs and requirements. A decent quality work laptop can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on factors like processing power, storage capacity, and additional features such as touchscreen and graphics capabilities.
It’s important to consider your needs and tasks when choosing a laptop and to balance cost with features, durability, battery life, and warranty. Researching and comparing prices and features can help you make an informed purchase decision that meets your budget and requirements.
4. Can my employer see what I do on my work laptop?
In most cases, your employer can see what you do on your work laptop. Work laptops are typically subject to the company’s security protocols and monitoring, which may include monitoring your internet activity, emails, and software usage.
Some companies may inform their employees of this monitoring, while others may not. It’s important to understand that work laptops are provided for work-related tasks, and any personal use can compromise the security of sensitive company information. It’s always best to assume that your employer can see what you do on your work laptop and prioritize company data security.
5. What not to use a work laptop for?
Work laptops should be used exclusively for work-related tasks and not for personal use or activities. Accessing prohibited websites, downloading unapproved software, or utilizing insecure public Wi-Fi networks on a business laptop can jeopardize company data.
Additionally, work computers shouldn’t be used for personal business or for doing illegal or unethical things.
6. Should you shut down you\r work laptop every night?
Shut down your work laptop at night to save battery life and install updates and security patches. This practice also reduces the risk of malware or other security threats compromising sensitive company information.
However, whether or not to shut down your laptop every night depends on your company’s specific policies and guidelines. Some firms shut down laptops daily for energy conservation and security, while others leave them on for updates and maintenance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, having a reliable laptop is vital to remote work, allowing you to stay productive and connected no matter where you are. As we have seen, choosing the right laptop for your needs, taking proper care of it, and prioritizing its security are crucial steps to success in remote work.
At ThoughtsGate, we are committed to providing the latest information and best guides for laptops and remote work. Be sure to check out our other articles for tips and insights on optimizing your remote work experience. Remember, investing in a quality laptop and properly caring for it can make all the difference in your remote work success.
We hope this article has provided valuable insights into the importance of having a reliable laptop for remote work. By following these best practices and prioritizing the security and maintenance of your laptop, you can enjoy a productive and successful remote work experience.
Benjamin is tech-savvy and loves to research the highly dynamic technological world. Keeping track of all the tech stocks, tech inventions, and latest developments in the tech world keeps him firm.
He has been writing for the past 12 years and is currently connected with ThoughtsGate.com. Playing ice hockey with his childhood friends is what keeps him fresh.