Best business laptops in 2022 | Laptop Mag

Whether yous’re ownership a armada of laptops for your employees or looking for a  productivity system for yourself, you’ll want one of the best business laptops as they are typically durable, powerful, secure and like shooting fish in a barrel to use.

We review dozens of business laptops each year and the models that brand our best business laptops list offer a combination of condolement, performance and battery life. Don’t forget about security and durability — business concern laptops typically come with fingerprint sensors, IR cameras and security fries, and many have military machine-grade durability. Newer models should even feature webcam sliders and displays with built-in privacy filters.

If you need something with a bit more oomph than your traditional business laptop, so check out our best workstations page. If y’all’re not sold on a business laptop, read our full general best laptops page which features many devices that could do for piece of work. Looking for more specific recommendations? See our best Lenovo ThinkPad and best Dell Latitude and Precision laptops guides.

• Lenovo ThinkBook 13x review: Is this business laptop worth $1,200?
• Dell Precision 5760 review: a sleek performer with power and all-solar day battery life
• The best laptop deals available today

Which business concern laptop is best?

Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 9) is our favorite business laptop for iv years running thanks to its lightweight pattern, fast performance and strong display options. One option among the top competitors to the X1 Carbon is the HP EliteBook x360 1040 G7, a gorgeous 2-in-1 laptop with long battery life, an awesome keyboard and fast performance. Unfortunately, information technology is even more expensive than the X1 Carbon. And don’t count Dell out; its Latitude 9420 two-in-1 is a fantastic choice if you have the upkeep.

On the macOS side of things, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro is an excellent selection for power users who run massive simulations or transfer big files. The new M1 Pro processor is a speed demon but also efficient enough to give the MacBook Pro an absurd 14 hours and 8 minutes of bombardment life.

If you lot’re an creative person or designer who wants to utilise a stylus, we recommend the Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable, Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ or the Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable, which is essentially a tablet version of the X1 Carbon. True power users who need to crunch big data should opt for a workstation, similar the first-class HP ZBook Studio x360 G5. For those on a budget, like small-business concern owners, the HP Pro C640 Chrome Enterprise is a straightforward, like shooting fish in a barrel-to-use laptop or, if you lot need to run Windows ten, consider the ThinkPad X13 or HP EliteBook 840 G7.

While these are the best options if you need to brand a buy today, we saw dozens of new laptops at CES 2022 including the new ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10, so expect our reviews on those laptops ahead of their release in the coming months.

Lenovo made several welcome changes to the ninth Gen edition of its flagship business laptop. Along with fast performance from 11th Gen Intel CPUs, y’all get longer battery life (15 hours!), powerful quad speakers, a new 14-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, and plenty of ports, all in an impossibly lightweight chassis (2.v pounds).

But it’s nevertheless those classic ThinkPad features —  a durable design (with MIL-STD-810G strength), best-in-class keyboard and stealthy blackness/blood-red aesthetics — that behave the X1 Carbon to greatness.

Yes, nosotros wish the ThinkPad X1 Carbon had a better webcam and hadn’t ditched the SD bill of fare reader in the previous. Also, top configurations can get very expensive; still, you’d be hard-pressed to notice a better business laptop.

See our full

Lenovo ThinkPad Carbon X1 (Gen 9) review
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Welcome to the new era of Apple computing. Apple’s M1 Pro custom SoC takes another step in Apple tree’s conscious uncoupling from Intel. The ARM-based 5-nanometer fleck tin exist considered mid-tier in the M1 line, merely information technology’south by no means a slouch, especially with a x-core processor, 16-core graphics chip and a 16-core Neural Engine

The MacBook Pro 13-inch M1 delivers impressive functioning and outstanding bombardment life. If that’southward not enough, paired with Big Sur, you get blistering webpage load times and a better 1080p webcam feel –– all thanks to Apple Silicon. In curt, the new MacBook Pro is everything Apple said and more than. If the 14-inch MacBook Pro is a little also pricey, consider the thirteen-inch MacBook Pro with M1, which offers even better battery life and solid performance for typical part tasks.

See our total

Apple MacBook Pro (14-inch, M1 Pro) review
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HP’s EliteBook x360 1040 G7 is among the best business laptops money tin buy. This stunning laptop has a gorgeous chassis that flaunts a flexible hinge, allowing the x360 1040 G7 to convert from a laptop into a tablet.

It’s one of a few rare notebooks that seemingly has no downsides. Along with that stylus chassis, you lot go a bright and bright 14-inch display. Just the EliteBook x360 1040 G7’s greatness doesn’t stop in that location. The laptop also has a surprisingly comfortable keyboard, fast functioning and a host of security features, including an IR photographic camera, a fingerprint sensor and MIL-SPEC-810 rated durability. The tenth Gen Intel CPUs, while lacking graphical oomph, are powerful, and the battery lasts for longer than 11 hours on a charge.

For these reasons, the EliteBook x360 1040 is the best HP laptop for business users.

Run into our full

HP EliteBook x360 1040 G7 review

Lenovo is trusting in aluminum with the ThinkPad X1 Yoga, and the risky determination is paying off. While nosotros still love the signature matte-blackness carbon cobweb found on most ThinkPads, the aluminum ThinkPad X1 Yoga is a gorgeous change of stride. Not only does it take a slim design, but this convertible 2-in-1 flaunts a vivid 14-inch 16:10 display and offers a best-in-class keyboard and long battery life. These combine to make the best Lenovo laptop for anyone who those looking for a convertible.

Yous too become loads of extra goodies, similar a built-in stylus slot and webcam encompass. Nosotros nevertheless beloved the ThinkPad X1 Carbon for its super-lightweight chassis, merely you should definitely become the Yoga instead if yous want to apply a stylus.

If yous prefer a detachable, give our ThinkPad X12 Detachable review a read. Desire something a bit more spicey? The ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga is an excellent option.

See our full

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga (6th Gen, 2022) review
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If battery life is a priority, the Dell Latitude 9420 2-in-1 is the business laptop for you lot. The 2-in-1 laptop easily got me through a full solar day of use, even with the screen brightness turned upward. Merely its fifteen+ hours of runtime isn’t the simply reason to buy this notebook; the Breadth 9410 2-in-i has a sleek, flexible design, fast performance and some useful sign-in options. Mayhap most impressive is that you lot get that epic endurance despite the laptop having a fantastic xiv-inch, 2560 x 1600-pixel sixteen:10 display.

All yous need to practise is walk up to this Dell and it volition know that y’all’re at that place, thanks to its proximity sensor. This makes it super piece of cake to log in — you don’t have to input whatever passwords or fifty-fifty look at an IR camera.

The Latitude 9420 2-in-1 is yet another big stepping rock for Dell’southward famously uninspiring business notebooks. We promise the next version has a better webcam and costs less because if it does, you can say adieu to the X1 Carbon as the best business laptop.

Meet our full

Dell Latitude 9420 2-in-1 review
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Chromebooks…for business concern users? Yes, we mean it. The HP Pro C640 Chromebook Enterprise is the best option in this budding category. Running on Chrome OS with Chrome Enterprise, Google’s cloud-based IT platform, the Pro C640 is a good alternative to Windows or macOS for small business owners or boutique companies.

What makes it such a compelling laptop is that it doesn’t compromise on features to fit the traditional Chromebook persona equally being cheap and built out of plastic. Instead, this $1,129 Pro C640 has a gorgeous metal chassis that is armed forces-grade tested, enough of security options including a fingerprint scanner, and fast operation delivered by a tenth Gen Intel Cadre i7 CPU.

See our full

HP Pro C640 Chromebook Enterprise review
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With the Breadth 7320 Detachable, Dell takes on the Surface Pro and wins. Standout features include a gorgeous 13-inch display, fast performance, a comfortable detachable keyboard with a built-in stylus slot, useful security features, and a class-leading webcam (yes, you read that right). These are all packaged in a sleek metallic chassis that can easily be slipped into a haversack or purse.

The Latitude does waver in a few areas. The kickstand feels somewhat flimsy and the sky-loftier price will detract all but the highest-ranking execs or the wealthiest corporations. Despite these faults, the Breadth 7320 gives Dell enterprise customers an excellent version of this ultra-mobile course factor so they can work or relax from anywhere.

Come across our total

Dell Breadth 7320 Detachable review
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The Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen two improves on what was already a winning formula with the original ThinkPad P15 with upgraded functioning and stellar bombardment life for the 1080p model.

The laptop’due south 11th Gen Intel Core i9-11950H CPU, Nvidia RTX A5000 GPU and 32GB of RAM make information technology an accented workhorse of a workstation. If raw performance is your goal, information technology will be hard to beat the ThinkPad P15 Gen 2. The one concern for creatives will be the display, but if that’due south crucial for you consider the OLED panel option or perhaps an external display.

Run into our full

Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen ii review
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16 hours and 42 minutes. That is how long the ExpertBook B9450 lasted on our battery test, which involves continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi at 150 nits. Near 17 hours. Can y’all believe that? Considering I tin can’t. No other laptop has endured for that corporeality of fourth dimension.

Information technology’southward incredible for so many reasons. Sure, that’s super long. But what if I told you that the longest-lasting laptop ever weighs just two.two pounds. Or that information technology has a 10th Gen Intel U-serial processor inside? Or that the midnight-blueish chassis is one of the most gorgeous we’ve ever seen. In that location are so many reasons to love the ExpertBook B9450 and to fifty-fifty consider it over the ThinkPad X1 Carbon. Asus notwithstanding has a few things to fix — like the frustrating keyboard — just information technology’s on the right path.

Read our full

Asus ExpertBook B9450 review
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The EliteBook 840 G7 is i swish-looking business notebook. But it’s more than just looks. It offers 9 hours and 23 minutes of battery life, an awesome keyboard, and, when you need it, a SureView privacy brandish to continue strangers from checking out your screen.

There are also plenty of ports so you can ditch the dongles and height-firing speakers sound surprisingly good. Yes, the webcam isn’t the best but that’s nix an external solution can’t fix. Cheaper than most premium business laptops, the EliteBook 840 G5 comes with a 10th Intel Core i7 CPU, up to 64GB of RAM and up to a 1TB SSD.

See our full

HP EliteBook 840 G7 review
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The Microsoft Surface Pro eight isn’t a quantum leap forward from its predecessors. Still, it makes enough crucial upgrades to an already excellent ii-in-1 tablet to once again put it among the meridian two-in-ane laptops.

The added screen size and reduced bezels make for a more mod expect, while the rounded edges give it a much more tablet-friendly experience backed upward by some of the new software touches in Windows 11. For creatives or prolific note-takers, the new Slim Pen 2 combined with the Type Cover gives you a built-in stylus with a tactile feel that makes for an improved inking experience.

A scrap more battery life would have been outstanding and the price jump may be hard for some to eat. However, taken as a whole, the Surface Pro 8 is a solid add-on to the Surface lineup and a compelling option for those looking to upgrade their laptop for the motility to Windows 11.

Not sold on the Surface Pro 8? Run into our review of the ThinkPad X12 Detachable. If you want more defended concern features, the Surface Pro 7+ offers a more enterprise-focused take with the final-gen Surface Pro pattern.

See our full

Surface Pro 8 review
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This salacious attention grabber comes with an 11th Gen Intel Core i9 processor, 32GB of RAM, 2TB of SSD storage, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU that will more than handle all your Adobe Creative Suite power-hungry needs and so some.

The $four,727 system is gorgeous, powerful, MIL-SPEC tough, and in my humble opinion is one of the all-time content creator laptops on the market. Oh, I forgot to mention, its OLED 4K touchscreen is bright, bright and positively stunning.

However, for the price, I wish the battery lasted longer and information technology didn’t run equally hot. If you’re looking for longer battery life and simply a scooch more power, the $2,999 MSI Creator Z16 is an option that’s loads cheaper.

Meet our full

HP ZBook Studio G8 review
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How to cull a business concern laptop

Here are some things to keep in listen when choosing the correct model of business concern laptop for you or your visitor.

• Do you need Intel vPro or AMD Pro?
  Many business laptops are available with CPUs that have Intel vPro technology, which lets a back up person log in remotely, fifty-fifty if the computer can’t boot. However, unless you have a big It department and a huge fleet of laptops that you need the power to service remotely, you probably won’t utilize this feature.
• How fast practice yous need it to exist?
  Most business organisation users volition be happy with a laptop that has a dual-core, Core i5 CPU similar the Core i5-7200U or Core i5-7300U (vPro) and the CPU’south integrated graphics processor. Notwithstanding, if you require a loftier-finish performance for 3D Modeling, professional video editing or creating predictive models, then become a mobile workstation with a quad-cadre Core i5 or Core i7 CPU (model numbers stop in HQ) and Nvidia Quadro graphics.
• Long battery life:
  Nobody wants to run out of juice in the middle of a long workday or a cross-country flight. Unless you’re getting a giant workstation, expect for a laptop that gets more than 9 hours on a charge. Some business concern systems come up with a pick of regular or extended batteries; always become the loftier-capacity unit.
• At least a 1080p screen:
  Information technology’s hard to be productive if you lot tin can’t come across much text on the screen. Avoid laptops with low-resolution, 1366 10 768 screens similar the plague. Get i with a resolution that’s 1920 x 1080 or higher.
• SSDs for responsiveness:
  If you want a truly fast computer, get a solid country drive rather than a mechanical hard drive. SSDs boot up, open programs and multitask at least three times faster than old-fashioned hard drives.
• The right ports:
  Nobody likes to carry a pocketbook full of dongles. Consider which kinds of connections y’all or your employees will need the most. If you connect to a wired network a lot, brand certain the laptop has an Ethernet port. If photography is a primal role of the job, cull a laptop with a memory card reader. No matter what your needs, a Thunderbolt 3 port is a huge plus, because information technology volition allow you to connect to a new generation of high-speed peripherals, universal chargers and powerful docks.
• A great keyboard:
  It almost goes without saying that every laptop should accept a skillful keyboard. But with business systems, a comfortable typing experience is even more of import. Await for snappy feedback, deep travel and admittedly no flex.

How nosotros test business concern laptops

We put each laptop through extensive criterion testing — both synthetic and existent-world — before they finish up in the hands of our reviewers. We evaluate each attribute of the laptop, including its performance, battery life, display, speakers and estrus management.

In our criterion testing, we employ a Klein K10 colorimeter to detect the brightness and sRGB colour gamut of the laptop’southward display. For operation testing, we run the laptop through a gauntlet of benchmarks, including Geekbench 4.3 and five.0 and 3DMark professional person graphics tests.

To determine real-globe functioning, we job the laptop to convert a 4K video to 1080p resolution and to duplicate a 4.97GB multimedia file. Our real-world graphics test is the Dirt 3 benchmark with medium settings at 1080p resolution.

Nosotros also run estrus tests by playing a 15-minute full-screen video and measuring temperatures in different areas of the laptop. Last but not least, our battery test consists of continuous spider web surfing over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness. For MacBooks and premium Windows 10 laptops, a runtime of over 9 hours is considered a good event whereas gaming laptops and workstations that can stay powered for longer than five hours deserve praise.

These tests are complemented with all-encompassing hands-on testing from our reviewers who critique everything from the laptop’s materials to the feel of its touchpad.