With more people working from home and/or starting their own business, the best business laptops are in great demand! Finding the right one can be tricky as hundreds of options flood the market. The positive of this is that there are plenty of powerful, versatile, and stellar machines available, and if you know where to look, you’ll find the perfect solution for your business needs. The best laptop will help to bind you together in your working life. Equipped with the right one, you’ll be able to get through all of your assignments with ultimate efficiency.
To help you find the best business laptop, we’ve put together a list of some of our top picks in 2023! We know that every type of business and user has different needs, so we've included a variety of options with this in mind. We've also recommended a suitable docking station for each laptop, along with a couple of monitors are the bottom of this article so you can have a complete workstation.
Windows Home vs. Windows Pro
All of the devices on this list feature the Windows 11 Pro operating system. While both Windows Home and Windows Pro bring a lot to the table, they're designed with different user types in mind. Windows Home is ideal for personal use, equipped with features that enable smooth, everyday computing. On the other hand, Windows Pro displays a shift toward businesses, making it well suited for small to medium-sized businesses due to the extra features geared towards business users.
These extra features on the Windows 11 Pro OS include domain join capability - an excellent tool for integrating a computer into a business-oriented network environment - and Group Policy Management which helps manage and configure operating systems, applications, and users' settings in a business context. Security also sees an uplift with the inclusion of BitLocker, a feature which encrypts your data, providing heightened protection against data breaches. There’s also Assigned Access, which is a useful tool for restricting other user accounts to one specific application, thus ensuring work focus; and Remote Desktop. Now that you know the benefits of a Windows Pro operating system, let's jump into our Top Business Laptops!
Fleet Device - HP Elitebook 650
If you’re looking for a reliable fleet device, the HP Elitebook 650 is a popular choice that we can get behind! This device is built with power and purpose, guaranteeing to exceed your expectations. Under the hood of the Elitebook 645, you'll find a robust Intel Core i5-1335U or Intel Core i7-1355U processor ready to tackle demanding workdays and ensure smooth, speedy operation. Supporting this is up to 32GB of RAM - superb for multitasking, so you can juggle those proposals, emails, and spreadsheets seamlessly; and up to 2TB of SSD storage. It has a 15.6-inch Full-HD display, providing enough screen real-estate to comfortably work with document, spreadsheets, and multimedia wherever you are.
The Elitebook 650 also comes with premium build quality and is designed to survive the rigours of active business life. Then there's HP Fast Charge. It gets your battery up to 50% within just 30 minutes! Additionally, the comfy full-sized keyboard is designed for typing away comfortably (and quietly) even during those extended hours of work. Rounding off with HP’s warranty and customer support, the Elitebook 650 serves as a powerful and reliable ally for your business.
Need a compatible docking station? We recommend the HP Elite HP USB-C Dock G5.
Great Value Laptop - Lenovo V15 G3
The Lenovo V15 G3 offers incredible value for its price point, making it a strong contender for business users looking to balance cost and performance. It’s designed for the modern workplace, with a sleek design that lends a professional look, with components that make it perfectly suited for productivity! Equipped with a 12th Gen Intel processor, it comfortably handles a wide range of tasks, ensuring smooth execution of daily workloads. You can choose from 8GB to 40GB of RAM, making it capable of incredible multitasking abilities, easily keeping pace with your busy workday. Storage is also generous with up to 1TB of SSD, enough to cater to numerous applications, files, and data.
Various important I/O ports like HDMI, USB, USB-C, and SD card reader cater for much-needed connectivity and compatibility. It has a 38Whr battery which lasts up to 6 hours. While this isn’t ideal for those who frequently work on the go, the level of spec is a fine trade-off for those who generally work plugged in. All-in-all, the Lenovo V15 G2 encapsulates an attractive blend of performance, portability, and robust security in a budget-conscious package.
Need a compatible docking station? We recommend the Lenovo ThinkPad USB-C Dock or Lenovo 135W Thunderbolt 4 Dock.
Mobile Workstation - HP ZBook Power G10
The HP ZBook Power G10, with its robust set of features, is perfect for those after a mobile workstation that’ll deliver power and performance on the go. This powerhouse is built to tackle demanding tasks thrown its way by professionals in fields like engineering, design, and video editing. It features an Intel Core i7-13700H processor, ready to power through the demanding tasks, alongside up to 32GB of RAM. With up to 2TB of SSD, you'll have ample fast storage for all your business files. Professional-grade NVIDIA RTX graphics results in smooth performance, whether you're rendering intricate 3D models, manipulating massive datasets, or editing high-resolution videos.
The ZBook Power G10 doesn't just boast muscle, it's built to endure. Its military-grade chassis ensures it can withstand the inevitable bumps and knocks of mobile work, while long battery life keeps you productive throughout the workday. From a security standpoint, you can rest easy knowing your valuable projects are protected by features like a fingerprint reader and a TPM chip. This mobile workstation is a great choice for business users with demanding workloads, such as those in creative fields or working with large data sets.
Ultimate Flexibility - Lenovo Yoga Book 9i
If you live a hybrid lifestyle and have the funds to splash out for ultimate flexibility, Lenovo's Yoga Book 9i is a prime choice! Experience the world's first dual-screen multi-mode laptop, featuring two stunning 13.3" OLED displays and a detachable Bluetooth keyboard. This game-changing foldable device is made for the ultimate hybrid lifestyle, allowing you to work in a multitude of ways. It opens up a new chapter in device versatility with unique experiences for working, learning, streaming, gaming and more. With two full-sized OLED screens, you can run multiple apps at the same time and in different orientations.
Inside, the Yoga Book 9 features an Intel Core Ultra 7 155U processor, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage, offering plenty of memory and storage to power through your tasks. It's also infused with AI to elevate the way you work. Features like Smart Power balance high performance with thermal efficiency while using less energy. Power effiency just adds to why this versatile device is perfectly portable. Weighing in at 1.34kg, with a thickness measuring 1.6cm folded, it's super small. thin and lightweight.
Don't forget your peripherals!
There’s no doubt that connecting a monitor to your laptop can enhance your productivity significantly - especially if your laptop has a small screen. Dual screen or ultrawide monitor setups are our top choice for ultimate productivity! One option worth considering is Philips 34E1C5600HE 34" Ultrawide Curved Monitor - which offers fantastic value for those who want screen real estate, premium features, and performance without breaking the bank. For those who want to this added level of productivity on the go, check out the MSI Pro MP161 E2 15.6" FHD Portable Monitor - ultra slim and lightweight, you can have second monitor wherever you go without being weighed down.
We hope our suggestions make shopping for the best business laptop a bit easier for you. If you want to see the hundreds of other options that are available, make sure you head over to PB Tech to browse NZ’s biggest range of laptops!
