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Did you know that after Covid-19 remote work is becoming more and more popular. According to a survey by FlexJobs, 65% of workers are want to work remotely full-time after the pandemic. There is an increasing need to work from home.
Having a reliable laptop to keep up with the demands of a remote job is essential. So, it’s important to invest in a laptop that can handle your workload and keep you connected with your team at all times.
In this article, we will explore some of the best laptops for remote work in 2023. Let’s get started
Our 10 Best Laptops for Remote Work in 2023
With so many options available in the market, picking the right laptop can be a daunting task, but we’ve got your back!
Consider this the TLDR :). Here is a quick list of favourite laptops for remote working in 2023.
- Apple Macbook Pro M2
- Apple Macbook Air M1
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga 13.5″ 2-in-1 Laptop
- Acer Aspire 5
- Lenovo Premium ThinkPad X13 Gen 2
- Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 (2022)
- HP 2023 Newest Pavilion Laptop
- Lenovo Newest IdeaPad Laptop
- Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop
- Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-57Y8 Gaming Laptop
scroll down if you want to read the mini reviews for each of them.
Reviews of Best Laptops for working remotely
We have covered 2 mac laptops and 8 windows laptops in our review. Let’s dive in and help you make an informed decision about the best laptop to work from home !!
Macbook Pro 14 M2 Pro
The Apple 2023 MacBook Pro is highly capable to handle demanding tasks with ease thanks to the M2 Chip. The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display offers vibrant colors and crisp visuals to help you stay productive and focused.
One of the standout features of this MacBook Pro is its long-lasting battery life. With up to 18 hours of use on a single charge, you can comfortably work all day without worrying about running out of power. Moreover, its compatibility with various professional apps like Adobe Creative Cloud, Xcode, and Microsoft 365 ensures you have all the tools you need to get your work done efficiently.
The advanced camera and audio features, including a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, a studio-quality three-mic array, and a six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio, make it easy for you to stay connected with colleagues and clients.
However, this MacBook Pro might not be the best fit for everyone, as its high price and exclusive availability in Space Gray might deter some potential buyers. Additionally, being limited to the Mac OS could be a drawback if you’re accustomed to using Windows or Linux.
PROS
CONS
In conclusion, the Apple 2023 MacBook Pro is an excellent laptop for remote work, offering powerful performance, seamless app compatibility, and impressive battery life. If you’re in the market for a reliable and stylish laptop that seamlessly integrates with your Apple devices, this MacBook Pro is the perfect choice for you.
Apple 2020 MacBook Air Laptop M1 Chip
The MacBook Air with M1 chip is an ideal laptop for remote workers in need of a reliable and powerful device. It has one of the best battery life out there. You can work for up to 18 hours without worrying about running out of power. This makes it perfect for those long digital nomad days or simply managing your work tasks from home.
The 8-core M1 chip in this MacBook Air provides exceptional performance, allowing you to multitask with ease. Whether you’re editing videos, creating graphics, or just browsing the web, your new laptop won’t skip a beat. The 13.3-inch Retina display delivers crisp text and vibrant colors, making it enjoyable to work on documents, presentations, or simply catch a movie during your breaks.
However, some limitations come with this MacBook Air model. The 8GB of RAM may hinder performance for those who require heavy multitasking or more demanding applications. Similarly, the 256GB storage may be insufficient for users with large files or extensive app collections. It’s also worth noting that there’s no option to upgrade the RAM and storage, so consider your needs carefully before purchasing this model.
PROS
CONS
Ultimately, the MacBook Air with M1 chip is a fantastic option for remote workers focused on mobility, performance, and battery life. While it may not meet the needs of more demanding users, it delivers an excellent overall experience for most remote work scenarios.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga 13.5″ 2-in-1 Laptop
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga has an attractive and eye catchy lightweight design, as it weighs just 2.54 lbs. With a carbon fiber top and magnesium-aluminum bottom, the laptop is built for durability and can withstand everyday wear and tear.
The 13.5-inch 2K display with Dolby Vision will stand out to you if you are into creative space (UX designer, UI designer, video editing etc..). The 11th Generation Intel Core i7 processor ensures you have the power to run multiple applications smoothly. Combined with the Intel Iris Xe graphics, you’re guaranteed an impressive visual experience for work and play.
The 44.5WHr internal battery provides up to 11.7 hours of battery life, making it ideal for long workdays or worry free travel & work. The Lenovo Precision Pen is included for added convenience, allowing you to take full advantage of the touchscreen and offering a versatile input method.
However, the laptop comes with a couple of drawbacks. Its USB options are limited, primarily relying on Thunderbolt 4 connections, which may require adapters for other devices. The 16GB of RAM, although sufficient for most tasks, is soldered and non-upgradable, potentially affecting its longevity.
PROS
CONS
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga is a fantastic laptop for remote work, offering a well-rounded performance in a sleek and lightweight package. The combination of powerful hardware and a stunning display make it a great choice for productivity and creativity. However, it may feel a bit expensive for those working on tighter budgets. Overall, if you value portability, performance, and visual quality, this laptop is worth considering for your remote work setup.
Acer Aspire 5
The Acer Aspire 5 is designed with basic work needs in mind, providing good performance and battery life, making it an ideal option for remote work. The AMD Ryzen 3 processor and 12GB of RAM ensure smooth multitasking and ability to handle normal day-day applications with ease.
The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display with AMD Radeon Vega 6 Graphics is perfect for tasks such as photo and video editing, and provides a crisp and color-rich visual experience. The backlit standard keyboard with a numeric keypad makes typing in dimly lit environments a breeze, and the bio-protected fingerprint reader ensures secure access to your device.
However, a few minor drawbacks should be noted. The laptop’s speakers may not be the best, and the layout of the 10-keypad might require some getting used to. Additionally, don’t expect it to handle very heavy duty work like rendering or 4k video editing.
PROS
CONS
In conclusion, the Acer Aspire 5 is a dependable budget laptop for remote work, offering impressive performance, a brilliant display, and essential features such as the backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader. It’s few drawbacks are easily outweighed by its many strengths, making it a solid choice for any remote work setup.
Lenovo Premium ThinkPad X13 Gen 2
The Lenovo Premium ThinkPad X13 Gen 2 is an excellent laptop choice for remote work. It’s equipped with a fast AMD Ryzen Pro 5000 series Hexa-core Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U processor, ensuring speedy performance even when dealing with resource-intensive tasks. Moreover, the 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD allow for quick multitasking, so you can manage multiple applications without any stutter.
The 13.3″ WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS anti-glare display is easy on your eyes, with a 300-nit brightness and 72% NTSC color gamut. This ensures that you can comfortably work on your laptop for extended periods without straining your eyes. The integrated AMD Radeon Graphics add to the visual experience, making it ideal for multimedia content viewing during your break time.
One aspect of the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 2 you’ll appreciate is the fingerprint reader for added security and ease of accessing your device. Additionally, the laptop offers up to 10.5 hours of battery life, perfect for long hours working away from a power source. While it does not have a backlit keyboard or a media card reader, the various ports, including USB-A 3.2, USB-C 3.2, and HDMI 2.0, ensure that you can still connect your peripherals with ease.
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CONS
In conclusion, the Lenovo Premium ThinkPad X13 Gen 2 is a great option for remote work, offering robust performance, a comfortable display, and solid security features. Despite a few missing features, such as a backlit keyboard and media card reader, it remains a dependable choice for professionals seeking a reliable workhorse laptop to support their work-from-home lifestyle.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 (2022)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 (2022) provides an ultra-portable and efficient experience with its sleek design, comfortable keyboard, and crystal-clear 13.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen display. Whether you’re on the go or working from home, this device makes it easy to stay productive and organized.
Equipped with a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 Processor and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, this laptop excels in multitasking as well as transferring files at rapid speeds. Not only will you appreciate the performance, but also the impressive all-day battery life that allows you to work more efficiently without the need for constant charging.
While the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 has many positive attributes, there are some cons to consider before making your purchase. Some users have reported issues with the charging port or battery life upon receiving their devices. Additionally, the 256GB storage capacity may be limiting for those who require more space for work files and applications.
PROS
CONS
In conclusion, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is a great option for remote work, offering a combination of power, portability, and convenience. It also doubles up a a good business laptop. However, potential buyers should be aware of some potential drawbacks regarding storage capacity and battery life.
Lenovo Newest IdeaPad Laptop
This Lenovo IdeaPad Laptop impressed me with its powerful AMD Ryzen 7 5700U processor, making it easy to handle multiple tasks simultaneously without any lag. The laptop is also equipped with 20GB of high-speed DDR4 RAM, which helps maintain the efficiency of this machine during heavy workloads. The 1TB SSD provides ample storage, and the fast data transfer capabilities make everyday tasks a breeze.
The FHD display produces crisp and clear visuals, though having a TN panel means slightly narrower viewing angles compared to an IPS panel. Nonetheless, the display is anti-glare, ensuring you won’t be bothered by reflections during your work sessions. While the lack of a touchscreen might be a drawback for some, the backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader compensate by providing a comfortable typing experience and added security for your data.
On the downside, this laptop features a 3-cell battery that drains fairly quickly compared to other models in its range. You may find yourself needing to recharge more often if you’re working long hours. However, its lightweight design and variety of ports, including a SuperSpeed USB Type-C and HDMI, make it convenient for on-the-go productivity.
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In conclusion, the Lenovo Newest IdeaPad Laptop is a solid option for those seeking a laptop for remote work, offering powerful performance, sufficient storage, and a sleek design. The battery life isn’t the best, but its other features make it a reliable choice for your work setup.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a great choice for remote work with its impressive performance and touchscreen capabilities.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop comes with an 11th Generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor, providing you with impressive processing power for multitasking and handling demanding remote work tasks. With huge 20GB DDR4 RAM and a 1TB PCIe Solid State Drive, you can easily run multiple applications and browser tabs without any lag.
The 15.6″ FHD touchscreen display offers a crisp and clear visual experience. The Anti-Glare technology ensures that you won’t be distracted by reflections while working, and the Narrow Bezel design provides a larger and more immersive screen view.
Despite its powerful performance, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 remains user-friendly with a range of connectivity options. You’ll find USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and an SD Media Card Reader slots.
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CONS
The IdeaPad 3 is best suited for remote professionals who require a reliable and efficient laptop for everyday tasks, video conferencing, and productivity. The touchscreen functionality is an added bonus for those who prefer to interact with their device more directly. If you can look past weight, limited graphics then this is a great laptop at the price range.
HP 2023 Newest Pavilion Laptop
The HP Pavilion Laptop is equipped with a robust Intel Core i7-1355U processor, enabling you to effortlessly tackle your workload without breaking a sweat.
When working remotely, you’ll appreciate the laptop’s 15.6-inch full HD IPS display, which displays vivid colors and crisp visuals. The micro-edge design and anti-glare coating ensure that your eyes stay comfortable even during long hours of use. But keep in mind that the laptop doesn’t offer touch screen capabilities, which some users may find limiting.
Multitasking is a breeze with the potential to upgrade to an impressive 64GB of RAM. Though it comes with 512GB SSD , upto 2TB upgrade is possible making sure you don’t lose out on storage.
To keep you connected, this HP laptop comes with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 compatibility, letting you work from any location with a stable internet connection. Moreover, it has a variety of ports, including USB Type-C and HDMI 2.1, allowing you to easily connect peripherals and external devices.
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CONS
Overall, the HP 2023 Newest Pavilion Laptop is a practical laptop for remote work, offering a great balance of performance, visual quality, and connectivity. While the laptop might be slightly heavier than some of its competitors, it’s still portable enough to support your work-from-home or on-the-go needs. Just don’t expect a touch screen, and be prepared for the neutral silver color that may not be everyone’s first choice.
Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-57Y8 Gaming Laptop
The 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor ensures that you can run demanding applications smoothly. Meanwhile, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU is perfect for enjoying the latest games on high settings. The 15.6″ Full HD IPS display with a speedy 144Hz refresh rate brings your favorite games to life, delivering crisp visuals and fluid gameplay.
One downside is the limited storage space – with a 512GB SSD, you may need to purchase an additional external drive for your files and game libraries. The laptop’s weight could also be a concern for those who prioritize portability, as it weighs 5.51 lbs. Lastly, Windows 11 is pre-installed on this device, which might not appeal to users who are more comfortable with Windows 10.
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That said, the Acer Nitro 5 undoubtedly offers an exceptional remote work experience, easily handling both demanding work tasks and gaming escapades. Its powerful performance, high-quality display, and appealing design make it an excellent choice for anyone seeking to merge work and play into one device.
Why Work from Home is Becoming Popular
In recent years, you might have noticed that working from home and remote work have gained momentum. This can be attributed to several reasons that have made it an attractive option for both employers and employees.
- Flexibility and Work-Life Balance: Remote work allows for greater flexibility and balance between work and personal life.
- Reduced Commuting Time and Expenses: Working from home eliminates the need for commuting, saving time and money.
- Improved Productivity and Focus: Remote workers often experience fewer distractions and interruptions, leading to improved productivity.
- Improved Health and Well-being: Remote work can lead to improved physical and mental health.
- Increased Job Satisfaction and Motivation: Remote workers often report higher levels of job satisfaction and motivation.
- Access to a Wider Pool of Talent: Employers can access a wider pool of talent by offering remote work options.
- Reduced Overhead Costs: Remote work can lead to reduced overhead costs for businesses.
- Improved Environmental Sustainability: Remote work can help reduce the environmental impact of commuting and traditional office settings.
Considerations When Buying a Laptop for Work from Home
Here are certain things to consider if you are on the lookout for a laptop for working from home.
Nature or Work
Consider the main nature of your remote work. Freelancers and entrepreneurs might require a powerful laptop with diverse features, whereas graphic designers and photographers might prioritize display quality. For remote data entry work you might even do with a not so powerful laptop. Choose a laptop that caters to your specific working needs.
Specifications
Always check the technical specifications of the laptop. Once again this is also effected by what is the primary use for your laptop ?
Main things to check are CPU / RAM / Storage
RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory) is an essential component in a laptop since it impacts the speed and performance of your device. A well-equipped laptop for remote work should have at least 8 GB of RAM. For more power-intensive tasks, consider 16 GB or more.
CPU
The processing power of your laptop is determined by its CPU (Central Processing Unit). For efficient performance, look for laptops with at least an Intel Core i5 processor or its AMD equivalent. If you require a higher performance, opt for laptops with an Intel Core i7 or higher.
Portability & Connectivity
Weight of the laptop plays an important part, especially if you plan to carry it around frequently. For remote working while travelling, aim for laptops that weigh around 3 lbs or less, providing a good balance between portability and functionality.
A sufficient number of ports is crucial for connecting peripherals and charging your laptop. Check if the laptop has the necessary ports, like USB-C, HDMI, and SD card slots, depending on your work needs. An ample number of ports will make it easier for you to connect various devices effortlessly.
Importance of a Laptop for Working Remotely
As a remote worker, having a laptop isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s crucial. Let’s dive into the reasons why laptops are so important for remote work.
First, laptops offer unmatched portability. You’re no longer tied to a specific location or desk, which means you can work from your home office, a coffee shop, or wherever the Wi-Fi may lead you. This freedom not only helps keep your productivity high but also allows you to strike a healthy work-life balance.
Second, laptops are equipped with powerful technology that suits your needs. Modern laptops come with advanced processors, sufficient RAM, and ample storage space to ensure smooth operation for any remote task. In addition, laptops with advanced graphics capabilities can handle jobs like graphic design, video editing, or 3D modeling without breaking a sweat.
Moreover, laptops often come with built-in cameras and microphones, allowing seamless communication through video calls, virtual meetings, and messaging apps. This makes collaboration easy which is an utmost importance for working remotely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the essential features for a remote work laptop?
The essential features for a remote work laptop include portability , strong webcam and microphone, good processor, 8gb ram and above, compatibility with necessary software and tools used for remote work.
How much should I budget for a work-from-home laptop?
A reasonable starting point is around $600 to $1,200 for a mid-range laptop that offers a good balance of performance, portability, and features. High-end laptops can go beyond $2,000. It’s essential to consider your work requirements, such as software demands and mobility, when determining your budget.
Which laptop brands offer the best performance for remote jobs?
HP, Dell, Lenovo, Apple, Asus, Microsoft, Acer are the notable brands that offer best laptops for remote work.
What is the optimal laptop screen size for working from home?
No one size fits all. It depends on your personal preferences and the nature of your work.
13 to 14 Inches: These laptops are great for professionals who frequently travel or need to work in various locations. They are suitable for tasks like email, document editing, and basic web browsing.
15 to 16 Inches: These laptops are versatile and can handle a wide range of tasks, including multitasking, content creation, and video conferencing.
17 Inches or Larger: If you need ample screen space for tasks like video editing, design work, or complex data analysis, a larger laptop with a 17-inch or larger display are ideal.
Are there any affordable laptops suitable for home office use?
Yes, Acer Aspire 5, Lenovo Ideapad 3 are best affortable laptops for home ofifice use.