Finding the perfect laptop for working from home can be difficult. With so many different laptops on the market, it’s hard to choose which one will best suit your needs. Fortunately, we’ve done the research and put together a list of the best laptops for working from home so you don’t have to spend hours searching through all the options. We’ll take a look at the features and specs of each laptop, as well as the pros and cons of each. We’ll also provide some tips on what to look for when purchasing a laptop for working from home so you can make an informed decision. Whether you’re looking for portability, performance, or affordability, we have the perfect laptop for you. Read on to find out our top picks for the best laptops for working from home!
Table of contents
Best Budget Pick: Acer Aspire 5
Acer Aspire 5 Specifications
Series: Aspire 5
Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
Color: Silver
Hard Disk Size: 128 GB
CPU Model: Core i3
Ram Memory Installed Size: 4 GB
Operating System: Windows 11 Home (S Mode)
Special Feature: Multi-touch Gesture
Card Description: Integrated
Operating System: Windows 11 S
CPU: Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 11th Generation
GPU: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
Memory: 4GB (extra slots for additional sticks)
Storage: 128GB SSD
The Acer Aspire 5 is an excellent budget option for those looking to get the most out of their laptop while working from home. The laptop’s 11th-gen Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 processor offers good performance and reliability, while its 15.6” Full HD (FHD) 1920 x 1080 display ensures a great viewing experience. For connectivity, it has Wi-Fi6, Bluetooth 5, 1 x USB-C, 2 x USB-A, HDMI, a 3.5mm headphone/mic jack, Ethernet, and DC-in ports. The laptop also features Alexa integration and can be upgraded to an i5 or i7 processor with additional RAM and storage.
Pros
- Affordable; specs good enough for general productivity
- Configure to i5 or i7 for better processing power
- There is a hard drive bay so you can put one in
- Large screen
Cons
- Windows 11 S mode limits app availability (you can switch from S mode but it’s permanent)
- Only 4 GB of RAM
- Only 128 GB of storage
Best Laptop for Performance: Dell Inspiron 15
Dell Inspiron 15 Specifications
Series: Inspiron 15
Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
Color: Silver
Hard Disk Size: 512 GB SSD
CPU Model: 11th Generation Intel Core i3 and i5
Ram: 8GB DDR4
Operating System: Windows 11 Home (S Mode)
Graphics Card Description: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Battery Life: Reported up to 7 hours (depending on use)
Display Resolution: 1920×1080 Full HD Widescreen LED-backlit IPS Display
Webcam Quality: 720p HD Camera with Microphone
The Dell Inspiron 15 is a great laptop for anyone looking to boost their productivity with a powerful and reliable machine. It has an 11th-generation Intel Core i3 or i5 processor that ensures smooth performance, and its 8GB DDR4 RAM allows you to multitask without slowing down the system. The 512 GB SSD storage will give you plenty of space for your files, while the Intel Iris Xe Graphics Card makes sure your visuals are crisp and clear. It also features a beautiful 15.6” Full HD 1920 x 1080 Widescreen LED-backlit IPS Display, as well as Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, 1 x USB-C port, 2 x USB-A ports, HDMI port, 3.5mm headphone/mic jack, an Ethernet port for connecting to the internet or other peripherals. Plus, with its 720p HD Camera with Microphone, you can enjoy clear video chats with family and friends. With a reported battery life of up to 7 hours (depending on use), this laptop is sure to keep you connected all day long. The Dell Inspiron 15 is the perfect choice for anyone looking for performance at an affordable price.
Pros:
• Affordable price tag
• Comes with Windows 11 Home (S Mode)
• Solid build quality
• Large 15-inch screen display
• Responsive touchpad
• 512GB SSD storage and 8GB DDR4 RAM for great performance
• Intel Iris Xe Graphics Card for an enhanced gaming experience
Cons:
• Weak speakers compared to other laptops in its price range
• Battery life is not as impressive as other options in the market.
Best Portable Laptop: Microsoft Surface Go 3
Microsoft Surface Go 3 specifications
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home S
- CPU: Intel Pentium Gold or Intel Core i3
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 615
- Memory: 4GB or 8GB
- Storage: 64GB eMMC or 128GB SSD
- Display: 10.5″ Touchscreen
- Webcam Quality: 5MP 1080p front; 8MP AF 1080p
- Size and Weight: 9.65” × 6.9” × 0.33”; 1.20 – 1.22lbs (without keyboard cover)
- Battery Life: Reported up to 11 hours
- Ports and Connectivity:
The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is the perfect laptop for anyone looking for an extremely portable device that can handle general productivity work and entertainment. It’s lightweight and small enough to carry around with you wherever you go, yet powerful enough to get tasks done quickly. Plus, it offers expandable storage through SD cards and has a variety of ports including USB-C and a Surface Connect port. It also has an optional LTE configuration for those who need mobile access. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking to be productive on the go. With its brilliant display, fast performance, slim design, and reasonable price tag, Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 is one of the best laptops you can buy today.
Pros:
• Small, lightweight, and extremely portable
• 2-in-1 tablet and computer
• More than capable of general productivity work and entertainment
• Storage expandable with SD cards
• Optional LTE configuration for mobile connectivity
Cons:
• Windows 11 S mode limits app availability (you can switch from S mode but it’s permanent)
• Accessories sold separately
• Few ports
• Weak speakers compared to other laptops in its price range
• Battery life is not as impressive as other options in the market.
Best Touchscreen Laptop: Dell XPS 15 OLED
Dell XPS 15 OLED specifications
CPU: Core i7
CPU-GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
Display: 15.6-inch, 3.5KSize: 13.6 x 9.1 x 0.7 inches
Weight: 4.3 pounds
The Dell XPS 15 OLED is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a touchscreen laptop with exceptional performance and visuals. The 15.6” 3.5K UHD+ OLED InfinityEdge display delivers breathtakingly vivid colors and sharp contrast, making it perfect for watching movies or editing photos. It also features an Intel Core i7 processor working in tandem with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU — perfect for serious gaming and multitasking. Plus, the laptop has 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD, ensuring fast performance and plenty of storage space.
The Dell XPS 15 OLED is also incredibly lightweight at only 4.3 pounds and comes with a variety of ports including Thunderbolt 3, USB-A, and HDMI. Add to that a battery life of up to 10 hours (depending on use), and you have one of the best touchscreen laptops available today.
Pros:
- Fast performance
- Gorgeous display
- Fast performance
- Lightweight at only 4.3 pounds
Cons:
- Expensive
- No USB Type-A
Best Laptop for Creative work: 16-inch Macbook Pro
16-inch Macbook Pro specifications
- Operating System: macOS
- CPU: Apple M1 Pro or M1 Max
- GPU: Integrated
- Memory: 16GB, configurable to 32GB or 64GB
- Storage: 512GB, 1TB SSDs
- Display: 16.2” Liquid Retina XDR Display; 3456 x 2234 at 254PPI
- Webcam Quality: 1080p
- Size and Weight: 14.01” x 9.77” x 0.66”; 4.7lbs
- Battery Life: Reported up to 14 hours (up to 21 for movie playback in the Apple TV app)
- The 16-inch MacBook Pro is designed for anyone who needs a powerful laptop that can handle creative work. Its M1 processor and up to 16GB of RAM offer impressive performance, while its large Retina XDR display provides amazing visuals for editing photos or videos. Plus, with up to 14 hours of battery life, the Macbook Pro can handle long work sessions. It comes with a variety of ports, including Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C, which allow you to connect external devices like monitors or other peripherals. Additionally, the MacBook Pro’s macOS operating system is ideal for creative professionals as it provides an intuitive user interface and powerful tools designed specifically for creativity.
Pros:
• Lots of ports
• Awesome display
• Excellent battery life
• Powerful processor and RAM
• Intuitive user interface and powerful creative tools.
Cons:
• Pricey
• Heavy
Important factors to consider when choosing a laptop for working from home include portability, battery life, display type and size, RAM and storage capacity, performance capabilities, and operating system. Portability is important for those who may need to use their laptop in different locations. Battery life is also important to make sure that the laptop can last for long periods of time without needing to be plugged in. The display should be large enough and have the right type for the user’s needs, such as an OLED for creative work. RAM and storage capacity are important for multitasking and keeping up with high-end tasks like video and photo editing. Performance capabilities should be considered as well, to make sure that the laptop can handle the tasks it needs to. Finally, the operating system should be taken into account, as some OSs have better support for certain applications than others.
The amount one should expect to spend on a laptop for working from home will depend on the needs of the individual. For basic tasks such as web browsing, word processing, and streaming video, a laptop with lower specs may suffice and could cost anywhere between $400-$700. For more intensive tasks like gaming or photo/video editing, however, one should expect to spend at least $1000 on a laptop with higher specs and better performance. Ultimately, the cost of the laptop will depend on what one needs it for.
When looking for a laptop for working from home, there are several features to consider. Battery life is an important factor, as laptops used for work should last for longer periods of time without needing to be plugged in. RAM and storage capacity are also key factors; more memory will allow the laptop to multitask better and larger storage means that important files can be saved easily. The display type should also be taken into account; for example, an OLED display may be beneficial for creative work. Additionally, the ports should also be taken into consideration; higher-end models will typically have more ports for connecting external devices or peripherals. Finally, the operating system should be considered carefully as some OSs have better support for certain applications and tasks than others.