Choosing Your Next Business Laptop for Value and Performance

If you’re in business, a laptop is more than just a device for typing documents or browsing the web.

A laptop is your business partner and imperative to the success of your daily business operations. That’s why you really have to put a lot of thought into choosing your next business laptop. 

That said, it’s worth noting that business laptops aren’t casual laptops for day-to-day activities. Far from that, these are powerhouses designed to handle the heaviest apps and provide seamless multitasking. They’re a significant investment but are also a crucial business tool that you can’t do without.

There’s no one-size-fits-all business laptop for all businesses. The right laptop for business is specific to your particular needs. However, with the plethora of laptops available, how do you choose the best one? Well, keep reading and find out.

In today’s post, we’ll be looking at how you can pick the best laptop for your business needs. 

Define Your Budget

The first step in buying the right laptop for business is defining your budget. Laptop prices can range from two hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. To define your laptop budget, you need to decide how much you’re willing to spend on a laptop.

Right off the bat, it’s never a good idea to skimp on a business laptop. We understand that you may be working on a tight budget, but a great business laptop is worth the sacrifice. Squeeze your finances to get enough for a good laptop.

Set a price range for the laptop you want for your business activities. Ensure the minimum cost is far from cheap, and the maximum cost doesn’t stretch your finances. Having a definite budget will help narrow down your options to laptops you can actually afford.

Check the Battery Life

Battery life is among the most crucial features you should look for in a business laptop. That’s because most people in business are always on the go. That means you need a laptop that can go for a long time without a recharge.

At the very least, your laptop should run for at least 10 hours on maximum battery without recharging. Anything above 10 hours is good, but if you want great battery life, look for 13 hours and above. Of course, battery life varies with use, but your laptop should get you through a full day without recharging.

Choose an Operating System

There are three main operating systems when choosing PCs and laptops: Windows, Chrome OS, and macOS. It’s important to have a firm understanding of all three to make a more informed decision on the type of OS you want. Let’s have a look at them

Windows OS

Windows is by far the most popular operating system worldwide, with an 87.56% market share. This popularity means you’ll have a lot of laptop options to choose from. It also means that there’s a huge chance that you and your employees will already be accustomed to the operating system

The latest laptops all have Windows 10 as their operating system, although Windows 11 is right around the corner. Windows 10 boasts excellent features like Cortana and MS Virtual Assistant to make your work easier and faster.

Windows also has Task View, which enables you to work with two windows on the same screen by splitting it in two. This is especially useful if you’re juggling between two programs simultaneously. 

Chrome OS

Chrome OS is the latest entry into the operating system market. The name “Chrome” comes from the Chrome web browser from Google. 

Google initially made Chrome OS for students and to run on budget laptops known as Chromebooks. However, these days, Chromebooks are more powerful, business-oriented, and make excellent business laptops. 

The best part about Chrome OS is that you don’t have to keep track of updates like other operating systems. Chrome OS automatically updates the software so you can focus on more important business activities.

It’s also worth noting that Chrome OS is based on the cloud. That means you can’t download programs directly to the laptop. Instead, you have to store programs or files on the cloud to use them.

With so many cloud-based programs today, Chrome OS might be the right OS for your laptop.

macOS 

macOS is the operating system for Apple computers and laptops or MacBooks. Only MacBooks can use macOS, which means you have a much more limited choice if you opt for this operating system.

MacBooks may not be a feasible choice for many businesses because they cost a bundle. However, if you have the money, there’s no reason you shouldn’t go for it. The latest macOS, the Apple OS X, boasts blistering performance and incredible functionality.

We wouldn’t recommend having MacBooks as your business laptop, and not just because of the price tag. Not many applications run on macOS, which limits your software option. Unless you have software that only runs on macOS, it’s better to consider other operating systems for your business laptop.

Once you have the operating system down pat, you can move to the next feature to look at.

Check the Laptop’s Design

These days, laptops come in various sizes and designs. You’ll have to decide whether you want a traditional or hybrid laptop. Your choice should align with your business activities and specific needs.

Traditional laptops have the conventional clamshell design, which means they open up like a clam. They’re okay for normal laptop use, especially if you sit on your desk all day. However, if you’re always up and about, a hybrid laptop is best for you.

Hybrid laptops are these 2-in-1 or convertible laptops that have flooded the market these days. The 2-in-1 name is because the laptop is both a laptop and a tablet. Hybrid laptops break down into two types:

  • Detachable hybrids: You can detach the screen completely from the keyboard and use it as a separate tablet.
  • Foldable hybrids: These are hybrid laptops whose screen can bend an entire 360-degrees and sit at the back of the keyboard. This allows you to use the laptop as a tablet without interference from the keyboard.

Hybrid laptops are great for people always on the move because they’re super portable. They’re also ideal if you do a lot of graphics and computer-aided design work. In fact, some of these hybrid laptops come with styluses to make drawing and design a lot easier.

If you’re looking for a laptop that you can convert to table mode at your convenience, get a hybrid laptop. The downside with hybrid laptops is that they are small and have less-than-stellar battery life. If you don’t need a 2-in-1 laptop, just get the conventional one.

Check the Central Processing Unit (CPU)

You can think of the Central Processing Unit or CPU as the brain of the computer. The CPU is the first laptop spec you should check when in the market for a business laptop. It’s what determines the laptop’s performance and usability.

If you want snappy performance, you best look for a high-end laptop with a good processor. Examples of processors include Intel and AMD processor chips. Faster and high-performing chips are usually costlier but boast stellar performance.

Recently, we’ve seen the entry of super processors like the Intel Evo platform common with Lenovo laptops. Think of the Intel Evo platform as a badge of honor for laptops that meet certain spec requirements. All laptops with the Intel Evo badge promise mind-blowing speeds and reliable performance.

If you want a business laptop that can take anything you throw at it, find one with the Intel Evo badge. You can look into the details to make sure you’re making the right choice.

Any laptop with a bogus processor isn’t worth your time or money.

Storage Space and Storage Media

Another thing to consider when choosing a business laptop is how much space you need for your business files and programs. Usually, this shouldn’t be a huge concern because you can always store your files on the cloud. However, this is only applicable if you have a steady and reliable connection.

You want a laptop with enough space for all your files and programs. Aside from the storage space, it’s also important to consider the storage technology. There are two types of storage media for laptops: SSDs and HDDs.

SSD abbreviates Solid State Drive and is the more recent storage media. HDD means Hard Disk Drive, which is the standard storage media for laptops. SSDs are faster than HDDs but have less storage capacity and are more expensive.

Only the Best Business Laptop Will Get the Work Done

The information above should help you make a well-informed decision when looking for a business laptop. Remember to explore all your options before settling on a laptop for your needs. Investing in a quality business laptop is always a step in the right direction.

Check out the other posts on the site for more informative content.

Leave a Comment

Exit mobile version