Apple MacBook Pro 14 M3
CPU: Apple M3 Pro 11-Core | RAM: 18GB Unified Memory | Graphics: Apple M3 GPU 14-core | Storage: 512GB SSD | Display: 15.6-inch | Resolution: 3024 x 1964 | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Battery: Up to 18 hours | Weight: 3.5 pounds
Best for: Completing demanding tasks in MacOS applications.
Pros:
- Gorgeous display with intense brightness and high refresh rate
- Excellent performance from any of the M3 processors
- As much storage space as you need
Cons:
- Can be expensive in top configurations
If you need a MacBook with real power, the latest generation of MacBook Pro is ready to take on any task. They have incredible performance and efficiency thanks to the latest generation of Apple M3 processor, with this configuration using the M3 Pro model with 11-cores. That’s far from the top model, though, so if you want more cores and more power, there’s a greater core count M3 Pro model, or the M3 Max which really cranks up performance to a new level—though you’ll pay for it. The onboard graphics card are great for 3D design work or casual gaming, too.
Battery life is extensive, lasting well through a work day, and the display is a vibrant mini-LED lit LCD display with incredibly brightness, making HDR content look stunning.
Best Dell Laptop For Working From Home
The Best Of One Of The Best
Dell XPS 13 Plus
CPU: Intel Core i7 | RAM: 16GB LPDDR5 | Graphics: Intel Iris Xe | Storage: 512GB SSD | Display: 13.4-inch OLED touchscreen | Resolution: 1920 x 1200 | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Battery: Up to 14 hours | Weight: 2.8 pounds
Best for: Working on colorful imagery and video.
Pros:
- Great performance
- Super lightweight design
- Gorgeous 4K OLED touchscreen display
Cons:
- Limited battery life
The Dell XPS 13 Plus is the best version of one of the best laptops, offering excellent performance, lots of storage space, one of the best OLED displays of any laptop and a gorgeous design which rivals some of the best mobile aesthetics ever made. Its battery life isn’t as strong as the standard XPS 13, but if you are mostly using this laptop for working from home, or the odd bit of work during a commute, you won’t notice. The strong performance comes from the Intel Core i7 CPU, with 12 cores delivering excellent multi-tasking performance. There’s no dedicated graphics, but the Intel Iris Xe GPU is plenty for casual gaming.
The 4K+ OLED display is one of the best you’ll find at any size, let alone in such a compact, pixel-dense design as this. It makes everything from work documents to your favorite TV shows and movies look stunning, so this is particularly good for light video and photo editing tasks. At just 2.8 pounds, this laptop is super portable, and though its battery life means you can’t use it on the go all day, it’s easy to carry around with you for whenever you need it.
Best Professional Laptop For Working From Home
A True Business Icon
Lenovo ThinkPad Carbon X1 Gen 11
CPU: Intel Core i7-1370P | RAM: 32GB LPDDR5 | Graphics: Intel Iris Xe | Storage: Up to 2TB SSD | Display: 14-inch touchscreen | Resolution: 1920 x 1200 | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Battery: Up to 15 hours | Weight: 2.5 pounds
Best for: Working on any project anywhere.
Pros:
- Great performance
- Very lightweight and portable
- Excellent battery life
Cons:
- Lacks a UHD display option
The Lenovo ThinkPad Carbon X1 Gen 11 continues the strong pedigree of its predecessors with its mix of excellent performance, rugged build quality and impressive portability. It has great battery life, lasting up to 15 hours of mixed use, and at just 2.5 pounds, it’s the lightest laptop on this list. You can carry it around all day or easily hold it in one hand while you use it. Its screen doesn’t fold flat, but it’s still a touchscreen, giving you additional input options. It’s also not super detailed, but its 1080p+ resolution is perfectly crisp for professional tasks at 14-inches.
The build quality is excellent, making sure that this laptop doesn’t just not flex when you use it or carry it around one handed, but it can withstand the odd knock and bang without trouble, too. The keyboard feels great when typing over longer sessions, and while the touchpad is responsive, too, you also have the classic Thinkpad pointing stick option, too.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
- Forbes Vetted contributor Jon Martindale has been a tech journalist for over 15 years; he’s covered related topics like the best business laptops and computer monitors for work.
- This guide and its updates are overseen by tech editor Rebecca Isaacs; she’s spent the past four years testing and reviewing the latest in consumer technology.
- To ensure our recommendations are accurate and current, we routinely update this guide. This story was recently updated in June 2024 by tech updates writer Alexandra Garrett to add a shopping guide for the best laptops for working from home.
How We Chose The Best Laptops For Working From Home
To find the best laptops for working from home, we looked at best-selling models and compared key features.
- We selected models from brands we know and love, such as HP, Dell, Apple and Lenovo. We’ve tested and used laptops from several of these brands and each of these brands scored high in positive customer ratings, durability and performance.
- We evaluated features that matter most for work-from-home laptops, specifically powerful processors, clear and bright displays, extensive battery life and a lightweight construction.
- Because every remote work has unique tech needs, we included options that span a variety of budgets and tasks. For example, the Dell XPS 13 Plus is great at editing colorful images and video, while the MacBook Pro 14 M3 is our recommended choice for those who primarily use Apple applications.
What To Look For In The Best Laptop For Working From Home
When searching for the right WFH laptop for you, we recommend keeping the below factors in mind.
Laptops run on different operating systems: some use Windows or Linux, while others use Apple’s ecosystem. Before making a final decision on a laptop, check that its operating system is compatible with your most frequently used applications and the rest of your WFH setup.
When thinking about the best laptop for working from home, consider your line of work and the level of computing power you need to complete daily tasks. The central processing unit (CPU) determines the efficiency of a laptop’s performance. For Window laptops, the main CPU options are Intel and AMD and for Apple, it’s the M2 and M3 chips, the M3 being the faster of the two.
Resolution impacts how photos and videos appear on the laptop. Typically, screens with a 1920 x 1080 resolution or greater excel at displaying vivid images and fine details. Anything above this tends to cost more, so think of this benchmark as the standard for adequate screen resolution. If you’re a graphic designer or gamer, you may want to invest in a laptop with a higher-quality resolution, but 1080 will suffice for most office tasks.
The size and weight of your laptop plays a big role in how portable it is. If you have a hybrid role or frequently travel for work, you’ll want a laptop that’s lighter in weight and more compact. The average size of a laptop is 14 inches and the average weight ranges anywhere from 3 to 6 pounds. If you’re on the hunt for an ultraportable model, look for a laptop that’s 10 to 13 inches wide and weighs less than 3 pounds.
What Are The Best Laptops For Work From Home Jobs?
If you’re a Windows user, the best laptop for working from home is the HP Dragonfly Pro. It offers a solid mix of performance and battery life in a well-built chassis, and features a great display. The MacBook Pro 14 M3 is another great option if you prefer Apple’s suite of applications. For those on a tighter budget, the Dell Inspiron 15 is an excellent alternative.
Can Business Laptops Be Used For Working From Home?
Business laptops can absolutely be used for working from home. Although they tend to be more expensive than standard laptops, their build quality and warranties are better than consumer designs. They often have great battery life and portability too, like our favorite business laptop for working from home, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11.
