Best Laptops for Working from Home in 2023

Looking for a laptop to set up your home office? You’ve got a few key factors to consider. Firstly, opt for a large, crisp screen that ensures comfortable working. Also, pay attention to the port selection, crucial for connecting various peripherals or external displays. The keyboard and touchpad quality matter too, so you can work efficiently. And don’t forget a good webcam for those Zoom or Teams meetings. While battery life isn’t the top priority when you’re working from home, having a long-lasting battery allows you to move around without being tethered to the charger. If you plan to work outdoors during the summer, make sure the display is bright enough to combat glare.

In today’s world, where remote and hybrid jobs are becoming the norm, laptops have become indispensable. They empower you to run your business or job from virtually anywhere across the globe. The perks of remote work are evident, offering flexibility and freedom in managing your hours. However, to make the most of this setup, having the right tools at your disposal is essential.

Consequently, we’ll explore the finest laptops tailored for working from home. From compact and portable solutions to powerful devices capable of handling more demanding tasks, we’ll delve into the best laptops to work from home.

Factors to Consider When Selecting the Ideal Laptop for Remote Work

Ready to kickstart your search for the perfect WFH laptop? With a plethora of options flooding the market, it’s tricky to distinguish between genuinely productive machines and mere gimmicks.

Below, you’ll find essential aspects to factor in while determining the best work-from-home laptop for your needs.

Size

Portability is one of the laptop’s greatest assets, allowing you to carry it in a bag wherever you roam. Opt for laptops with smaller screens and sleek, lightweight designs. Keep an eye out for those labelled “Ultrabook.”

RAM

To ensure smooth computer performance during multitasking, such as editing images, writing documents, and browsing the web simultaneously, RAM is vital. The more RAM your laptop boasts, the faster it accesses data, enabling seamless multitasking. While 4 GB is the minimum, consider 8 GB or more if you frequently use resource-intensive applications.

Display Quality

Chances are, you’ll be spending countless hours each day staring at your laptop screen. Hence, consider the glossy screens’ tendency to reflect ambient light. Additionally, weigh the pros and cons of touchscreen laptops with glossy displays. The screen resolution is equally significant, depending on your intended usage. A full HD screen with 1920 by 1080 pixels provides excellent picture quality and ample space for multiple windows.

Battery Life

If mobility is a priority (even if it’s just moving from your desk to your bed), battery life deserves careful consideration. Remember that a laptop’s actual battery life often varies from the manufacturer’s claims. Assess the battery’s rating in Watt-hours (Wh) or milliamp-hours (mAh) for a more accurate estimation. Higher numbers typically indicate longer-lasting batteries.

Storage

In addition to quantity, consider the type of storage. While hard disk drives were once popular, they have become less common as laptops shrink and become lighter. Solid-state SSDs are now preferred by many customers due to their speed, quietness, and reliability, despite being slightly more expensive.

USB Ports 3.0

For those who require auxiliary devices like external hard drives, mice, and keyboards, it’s essential to have USB 3.0 ports on your laptop. Some recent models, like the new Macbook Pros, lack these ports, so be sure to factor this in before making a purchase.

Top 5 Laptops for Remote Work in 2023

The rising prevalence of remote and hybrid jobs in the modern workplace has made laptops indispensable. With these portable devices, you can effectively manage your business operations from anywhere on the planet. The advantages of remote work are numerous, granting you greater flexibility and the freedom to set your own hours. However, working remotely can pose challenges when you lack the essential tools, such as a reliable laptop, to support your tasks effectively.

Here are the best laptops for working from home.

MacBook Pro 16.2-Inch M2 Pro

The M2 Max chip brings even more power than the already mighty M2 Pro, though it might be a bit excessive for most of us. If you’re a professional photographer, video editor, graphic designer, or similar, the Max chip could be a game-changer. However, for the rest of us, the M2 Pro offers ample power with its 12 CPU cores, 19 GPU cores, and up to 16GB of unified memory – all while saving you some money. These specifications, along with the 1TB of storage, should be more than sufficient for most professionals. But don’t forget, this machine is highly customizable, allowing you to upgrade to a whopping 32GB of unified memory and a colossal 8TB of SSD storage if needed.

The device’s build quality is outstanding, featuring a sturdy yet lightweight aluminium enclosure. Its sleek design and manageable weight make it a perfect choice for remote workers, while the impressive battery performance caters to both on-the-go professionals and those seeking a change of scenery from their kitchen workspace.

After a long day, treat yourself to some relaxation with the MacBook Pro. Whether you’re immersed in Apple TV, connecting with friends on FaceTime, or simply browsing the web, the captivating 16-inch display and exceptional audio quality make it hard to resist the temptation of bedtime.

Dell XPS 15

The Dell XPS 15 presents an excellent option for individuals who work from the comfort of their homes. With its lightweight design, robust processor, vibrant display, and top-notch speakers, it’s a standout choice.

For tasks demanding substantial processing power, the Intel Core i7 processor and 1TB SSD storage prove more than capable, even handling CPU-intensive applications. Architects and engineers, for instance, can rely on its impressive 64GB RAM and 8-core processor to meet their performance needs. Meanwhile, writers will find delight in the exceptional keyboard and appreciate the spacious and precise trackpad.

The display offers vibrancy that remains visible both indoors and outdoors. However, it’s essential to note that if precise colour accuracy is paramount, it achieves an average Delta E grade. As such, it might not be the ideal fit for photographers, graphic designers, and similar professions.

Though undoubtedly a powerhouse, the Dell XPS 15’s battery life leaves something to be desired. While this may not pose an issue for those working within reach of a steady power supply in their home or kitchen, it could be problematic for digital nomads residing in areas with unreliable power sources or individuals living in disaster-prone regions.

HP Spectre 16-Inch x360

The HP Spectre x360, boasting a 16-inch display, blends convenience and power seamlessly, making it a top contender among versatile 2-in-1 laptops. Equipped with a formidable 14-core i7-12700H CPU, it effortlessly handles diverse tasks with finesse. Its flexible design allows you to switch between laptop, tablet, tent, and stand modes at your convenience. Embrace tablet or tent mode for your everyday remote work duties, and when the workday ends, prop it up in stand mode to immerse yourself in delightful entertainment showcased on its stunning 3K+ IPS display.

Pairing its potent processor with 16GB of RAM, Iris Xe Graphics, and a spacious 1TB SSD, this laptop proves itself worthy for a wide array of remote work scenarios. However, if you find yourself frequently engaged in CPU-intensive applications, you might consider a higher RAM capacity. It’s essential to note that the x360’s RAM is onboard and not upgradeable.

Conveniently bundled with the MPP2.0 Tilt Pen, this laptop offers more than just power and flexibility. For those who prefer jotting down notes during virtual meetings or working in creative fields, the pen proves to be a perfect accessory. Worried about battery life? Rest assured, the pen’s battery boasts a long-lasting performance, ensuring it won’t falter during any task you undertake.

Google Pixelbook Go

Let’s start by discussing Chromebooks in general before diving into the specifics of the Google Pixelbook Go. Compared to other computers, Chromebooks come with distinctive advantages such as affordability, lightweight design, durability, and fast performance. However, they do have some significant drawbacks, notably limited offline functionality, which makes them excel when connected to the internet.

Now, shifting our focus to the Google Pixelbook Go, it proves to be a reliable, swift, and highly portable option, making it an excellent choice for remote work. Even for those remote employees who prefer a straightforward, no-frills laptop without unnecessary features, the Pixelbook Go’s “restricted capabilities” might be an enticing option. With a stable internet connection, remote workers relying on Chrome or other Google apps for their daily tasks will find all their essential needs met by this device.

Acer Aspire 5 (A515-45-R74Z)

Looking for a budget-friendly option tailored to remote workers, the Acer Aspire 5 fits the bill. While it may not boast the highest performance levels found in the market, its AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Hexa-Core Processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, and AMD Radeon graphics card make it a wise investment. Whether your work involves online teaching, content creation, data analysis, or any other tasks, the Acer Aspire 5 proves to be reliable.

Featuring a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display with vibrant colour saturation, this laptop makes media content pop during your leisure time. Though its brightness might not be exceptional, it suffices for night-time work, as long as you position it away from glaring light sources. Sporting a sleek design reminiscent of a MacBook, the Acer Aspire 5 is slim and lightweight, making it easily portable. With an impressive 8-hour battery life, it’s ideal for taking your work on the go. Moreover, it offers a decent selection of ports, including USB-A, C, and HDMI.

All things considered, the Acer Aspire 5 might not revolutionize the world of performance, but it certainly meets expectations and might even pleasantly surprise you, especially considering its attractive price point.