As more and more companies recognize the benefits of remote work, the popularity of working from home is on the rise. In fact, a recent study by Slack surveyed 9,000 employees across six countries, revealing that only 12% of them prefer a traditional office setting. On the other hand, 72% preferred a hybrid remote-office model, while 13% would choose to work from home permanently, given the choice.
PwC, in 2020, conducted a survey with 1,200 US office workers and 120 executives and discovered that 73% of executives regarded remote work as successful. Of the employees, 72% expressed the desire to continue working from home at least twice a week even after returning to full-time office work, with 32% wishing to work from home permanently.
Hence, it is crucial to have the right equipment to maintain productivity and comfort while working from home. Therefore, in this article, we have compiled a list of the eight best laptops for remote work in 2023. From affordable options to high-end features, we have covered everything to help you find the perfect laptop that meets your requirements. Whether you’re a professional or a student, you’ll find a laptop on this list that will enhance your remote working experience.
Best Laptops For Working From Home
HP Elite Dragonfly G2
The HP Elite Dragonfly G2 is an exceptional laptop that is lightweight, stylish, and powerful, with an 11th-generation core processor that can handle multiple tasks simultaneously. It is also noteworthy for its spill-resistant keyboard and sanitization mode that enables cleaning the keyboard and trackpad without having to restart the system, a great feature for those concerned about germs and bacteria. However, it is quite expensive, and if you require a wired connection, you’ll need to purchase an adapter since Ethernet is unavailable on this laptop.
MacBook Pro 14
On the other hand, the MacBook Pro 14 is an excellent laptop that is perfect for those who need a powerful machine that is still portable. Its 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with mini-LED technology is ideal for video conferencing or working on complex projects. The MacBook Pro 14 is user-friendly, with an easy-to-use operating system and various built-in applications. It is also highly reliable with its powerful processor and enough RAM to handle even the most demanding tasks. However, the MacBook Pro 14 is an expensive laptop, and some Windows applications may not be compatible with Mac OS.
Also read:Best Laptops for Video Editing Under $1000: Reviews & Recommendations
Dell XPS 15 OLED
The Dell XPS 15 OLED is a stylish and powerful laptop that can handle even the most demanding tasks. With a 10th Generation Intel processor and an Nvidia graphics card, it’s perfect for video games, graphic design, and other high-performance applications. The large 15-inch OLED display is ideal for work, and the comfortable keyboard and trackpad make it easy to use. Although the XPS 15’s battery life could be better, its sleek design and lightweight frame make it a great choice for on-the-go productivity. At a price point of $2,339, it’s a worthwhile investment for those who value style and substance.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is an excellent choice for those who work from home. With a sleek and professional design, it’s both lightweight and portable. The laptop comes with pre-installed Microsoft Office, making it easy to get started right away. The spacious SSD loads programs quickly and stores a lot of data, while the long-lasting battery will keep you going all day long. The keyboard is particularly noteworthy, with easy and subtle keystrokes that make typing comfortable for extended periods. Although the laptop could benefit from additional USB or other ports, it’s a solid choice for those who prioritize mobility and functionality. Priced at $899, it’s a great value for a powerful machine.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is an excellent budget-friendly choice for anyone looking for a great-value laptop that is perfect for working from home. With a strong chassis, comfortable keyboard, and nice HD display, it’s a reliable and affordable option. The 8GB of RAM and AMD Ryzen 5 processor ensure that the laptop is powerful enough to handle most tasks. The 14-inch FHD display is just right for multitasking, while the 256 GB SSD provides plenty of storage space for files and applications. The battery life is impressive, and the laptop is lightweight and easy to carry. While the battery life could be longer, and the laptop lacks a USB-C port, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a great choice for those on a budget. At a price point of $512, it’s an excellent value for anyone seeking an affordable yet powerful laptop.
ASUS ZenBook 14
ASUS ZenBook 14, an affordable and stylish notebook that comes with an 11th generation Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of DDR 4 memory, and a 512GB SSD. It has a 14-inch Full HD anti-glare display with ultra-thin bezels, giving you a comfortable viewing experience. Additionally, the ergo-life mechanism lifts the keyboard to allow air to flow beneath the chassis, making it an excellent option for extended work sessions. The laptop also has a unique touchpad that doubles as a numeric pad, but it lacks a headphone port, which could be inconvenient for some users.
LG Gram 14
LG Gram 14 is an ultra-lightweight laptop that only weighs 2.53 pounds. It is built to last, thanks to its magnesium alloy body and robust hinges, making it an excellent choice for people who work from home. The laptop comes with a 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and an 11th generation Intel Core i7 processor, making it a powerful device. The laptop’s 14-inch display has a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels, and it has an impressive battery life of up to 25.5 hours. It also comes with a stylus, which makes it perfect for taking notes or drawing directly on the screen. However, the display is not as bright as one would expect.
Lenovo V14
Finally, we have the Lenovo V14, a cost-effective laptop that has a 14-inch FHD anti-glare display. It comes with 12GB of DDR4 memory, 512GB of SSD, and an AMD Athlon Gold 3150U processor, making it a great option for people who need to store large files or run resource-heavy programs. The laptop has an average battery life of 8.5 hours and comes with many ports and connectors, such as HDMI, USB 3.1, and Ethernet, making it easy to connect to other devices and accessories. At just under 4 pounds, it’s lightweight enough to take with you on the go or move from room to room.
Also read: Best Laptops for Video Editing Under $600 in 2023
Factors To Consider When Buying A Laptop For Work
When it comes to working from home, a good laptop is essential. There are several factors to consider when purchasing a laptop for work, and it can be overwhelming to navigate through them all. Here are some of the most important factors to keep in mind:
- First and foremost, the processor is one of the most critical components of a laptop. It determines how fast the laptop will be able to run programs and perform tasks. There are two main types of processors: Intel Core and AMD Ryzen. Intel Core processors are popular due to their high performance and reliability, while AMD Ryzen processors offer similar performance at a lower price point. Choose a processor that is powerful enough to handle the tasks you need to perform.
- Next, the operating system is what allows you to run programs and perform tasks. Windows is known for its wide range of features and compatibility, while macOS is known for its stability and security. Choose an operating system that best suits the nature of your work.
- Storage is another critical factor to take note of when choosing a laptop. There are two main types: HDD and SSD. HDD is cheaper but slower and uses more power, while SSD is more expensive but much faster and uses less power. Choose a storage type that best suits your needs.
- The graphics processing unit is responsible for rendering images on the screen. If you plan on using programs that require a lot of graphical processing, then you’ll need a laptop that has a powerful GPU. The display is also important, and a high-resolution display will be great for working with multiple windows open at the same time or for looking at lengthy documents.
- Battery life is crucial when you don’t always have easy access to an outlet. Look for a laptop with long battery life, at least 8 hours or more on a single charge.
- Finally, the price is a factor to consider. Choose a laptop that fits your budget but also has the features and performance you need.
While shopping for a laptop can be overwhelming, using a virtual desktop is another option that eliminates the need to consider these factors. With V2’s virtual desktop, users can securely access their applications, files, and data anywhere by any device.
In conclusion, whether you choose to purchase a laptop or use a virtual desktop, make sure it has the features and performance necessary for your work needs. Happy shopping!
