9 Best Laptops for Working from Home (Personally Tested)

No one predicted that this work from home thing will become a global trend. This trend led employees to look for the perfect laptop for working from home because having good quality but under budget laptop is essential.

First question might be – should I go for Laptop or Desktop? Well, we have written a detailed guide to choose from Laptop vs Desktop.

The next question would be “What should I consider when looking for the best laptop for remote work?” We have brought together a concise guide to help you answer this question. This guide is anchored on a thorough study of some of the best budget laptop for working from home.

Yes, we know that you are not just looking for the suitable laptop for work from home but also a laptop that is affordable. Certainly, these laptops will help you get your tasks done efficiently.

Minimum Hardware Requirements for Work from Home Laptops

The competition among laptop manufacturers is to offer the best system and hardware so that users can conveniently use the device in fulfilling their specific tasks while working from home.

So, the key to finding the best laptop for remote work is to be aware of the minimum requirement for hardware as well as the best possible choice that potential users may consider, especially those who are looking for the finest laptop for working from home. Look at the matrix below to see the recommendations made by our Information Technology Support Group.

Hardware	Minimum Requirement	Best Choice
Processor	Intel Core i3	Intel Core i7
Storage	256 GB	512 GB
Memory	8 GB	16 gb
Weight	8 lbs	5 lbs
Battery	6 hrs	10 hrs
Screen Size	13 inches	15 inches

List of Best WFH Laptops

Best Laptops for Working from Home: Best Budget Options

1. Best Large Screen Laptop – NEW Microsoft Surface Book 3

If you’ve already seen a lot laptop and still can’t decide, this robust NEW Microsoft Surface Book 3 laptop has a 15″ touchscreen display, responsive trackpad, and full keyboard is designed to compete with MacBook.

This laptop works as a tablet too which you can carry everywhere. It has a 1.3 GHz apple_ci7 processor with 32 GB DDR4 RAM. Having these specs will allow you to carry out intensive tasks, work on large videos and have fun with any gaming application with ease.

With its 1TB storage, you can store a lot of files and videos without using any external devices. Imagine saving everything in one device – this is a good way to be productive and efficient with work! The three USB 3.0 ports are great if you wish to connect additional storage or even devices to the laptop.

Its battery is superior at 17.5 hours, yes it can last long enough to complete all your work within the day. It weighs 7.79 pounds and if you detach the screen display part, it will weigh even lighter. This is perfect not only for those working from home but for those who are always on the go.

This may not be the best laptop for working from home under 1000 because its price is quite high but with its specs makes it a powerful versatile laptop that can perform extensive functions without lagging. You can also go for best laptops under 400 if you are running out of budget.

2. Best Apple Laptop – 2019 Apple MacBook Pro

Another best laptop for working at home is 2019 Apple MacBook Pro that flaunts a 16″ screen size, sturdy built, and aesthetic design. Apple is always committed to providing products that offer convenience and can endure heavy usage. With this screen size that has 500 nits of brightness, you would be able to work comfortably even in low-light settings.

The fascinating feature of this laptop is its 2.6GHz 6 core generation-9 Intel Core i7 processor that supports Turbo Boost to max 4.5GHz and 16 GB RAM. Knowing these, MacBook Pro won’t disappoint you because it’s capable of defying limits – an ultimate laptop for the ultimate user.

As to the storage, it has 512GB to 1TB capacity where you can store multiple files and bring the device wherever you are headed. With its speed, numerous files may be loaded without a glitch.

2019 Apple MacBook Pro that approximately weighs 4.3 pounds can last up to 11 hours of usage even at a high level of brightness and frequent web surfing activities. This makes the device a perfect partner for work.

Being the forefront in terms of innovation, the best laptop for WFH that you can get now is 2019 Apple MacBook Pro.

While this may not be the best laptop for working from home under $500 because of its steep price, you are assured that you will get the best out of it. It is perfect for heavy users who are dealing with multiple files and constant surfing every day.

3. Best Laptop Under $1000 – Google Pixelbook Go – Lightweight Chromebook

If you are a virtual assistant, writer, or blogger, this Google Pixelbook Go is a rare gem that you can find in the market – the best laptop for working from home under 1000.

It has a 13.3″ touchscreen display which provides sharp visuals and accurate colors, plus it’s a touchscreen which means you can easily navigate from one file to another.

Google Pixelbook Go has Intel Core m3-8100Y processor and 8 GB RAM. It has a pretty decent hardware that can run files and software simultaneously and quickly. With this processor, the software can start in a matter of seconds and is very responsive to screen prompts that you will execute.

This laptop can remain unplugged for approximately 12 hours, which is good because you don’t have to bring a charger in case you have to bring it outside especially if you will only use it for a few hours. It weighs up to 2 pounds which is super lightweight – light enough to think that you are just carrying a piece of a notebook.

Another astonishing thing about this laptop is that it has the so-called “hush keys,” a technology that makes typing less noisy. This is perfect if you are working late night or early in the morning because of its quieter nature.

Google Pixelbook Go is the best choice if you are looking for an affordable laptop that you can use while working from home. Go without worry if you grab google pixelbook go one now!

4. Best Budget WFH Laptop – Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop

Launched as a portable and powerful device that can compete with other brands, the Acer Aspire 5 is the best laptop for remote work, low-cost but haswonderful hardware. It is a durable laptop that you can purchase for a very good price.

The 15.6″ full HD screen can provide crisp and clear visuals and has the capability to protect your eyes with its blue light shield.

The laptop is good in terms of the processor having AMD Ryzen 7 3700U and 8 GB DDR4 RAM that can boost the powerful performance of the device without lag. You can browse different software and hop from one file to another without trouble.

Further, you can accomplish various tasks by using any of the USB ports 3.1 and 2.0 that come with the laptop.

You can bring this laptop anywhere because it only weighs 4.19 pounds, but since it is thin and light, you have to be careful because it may not be too sturdy to survive a devastating fall.

It has a battery life of 7.5 hours which is fair enough for its price, you can always bring its handy charger so you can simply plug it in whenever needed. 

If you are working in a low-light space, you can finally work comfortably because this Acer aspire 5 has a keyboard with backlit – you will never have to worry again about typing in the dark.

If you are on a budget and wants to get the best laptop for working from home under 1000, this excellent device is the one for you!

5. Best Touch Screen Laptop – Dell XPS 13 (9310)

You are probably looking for the best laptop for working from home under 1000 but this laptop that we’re going to offer to you is something a little higher than that price in some stores or could be lower in other stores.

Before you skip this part, allow us to tell you that this is the best value for your money.

Imagine owning a Dell XPS 13 (9310), a high-end laptop that has 13.4” screen size. Getting a DELL for a price that is a bit higher price than your budget is like saving yourself from any unwanted glitches that may be brought by a low processor and low-quality monitor.

We aren’t lying when we say that the 4.8 GHz core i7 processor is paired with 16 GB LPDDR4 which enables both newbies and professionals to do multi-tasking. It also has big memory storage compared to other laptops; it can surely handle massive data. 

Ultimately, the laptop can function for up to 14 hours without plugging it constantly into an electric socket. Plus, it only weighs 2.80 pounds, which is incredibly light! If ever you decide to go out of your home, you can simply slip this in your bag and use it whenever you need it or even when you are traveling.

The best laptop for working from home is no other than Dell XPS 13 (9310), it ismeticulously assembled, it features advanced thermal engineering, and has adaptive performance.

6. Best Lightweight Laptop – ASUS ZenBook 15 Ultra-Slim

You won’t go wrong with one of the thinnest laptops, ASUS ZenBook 15 Ultra-Slim. It’s created to help you do your tasks, any moment, anywhere. It has a 15.6” full HD touchscreen display, letting you control everything on the screen at the point of your fingertips.

This laptop is primarily built to complement both business as well as professional settings – making it the best budget laptop for working from home.

The laptop offers a powerful configuration through its 5 GHz corei7 10750h processor and it is complemented by 16 GB DDR4.

The performance of ASUS ZenBook 15 Ultra-Slim is extraordinarily amazing and therefore recommended as the best laptop for remote work.

With the 1TB storage capacity, you will be able to store a lot of files that you can freely access anytime. It has one USB 3.0 port that you can use to connect to other devices. 

Weighing just 4.41 pounds, this laptop is obviously handy and easy to carry. You won’t encounter issue in fitting this device inside your bag. Moreover, the battery may last up to 10 hours which is pretty good for its price.

ASUS ZenBook 15 Ultra-Slim is primarily designed for the user’s convenience and comfort, it has a feature called ErgoLift that allows the user to lift the laptop or tilt the keyboard to make typing tasks comfy and relaxed.

7. Best Thin Laptop – Samsung Galaxy Book

Another remarkably powerful device, the best laptop for working from home under $1000 is Samsung Galaxy Book with a 13.3” screen size.  This laptop can unbelievably handle all your tasks without difficulty.

You can juggle various apps and tabs without the fear of your laptop hanging or lagging in between your usage because of its 1.4 GHz apple ci5 processor and 8 GB DDR4 RAM. If you are after a lag-free device, the specs of this laptop are right for you.  It is pretty much a high-speed laptop that can run a variety of applications.

It is surprisingly a lightweight device that only weighs 2.09 pounds but it doesn’t affect the ability of the device to perform its designated function smoothly.

On top of this, the battery can last up to 17 hours which goes a long way, you don’t need to search for an outlet right away after using it for few hours.

You might have seen a few laptops for work from home by now, but we are hoping that you will consider getting Samsung Galaxy Book – a lightweight device that works like a real champion.

8. Best 2-in-1 Laptop – 2020 Newest HP ENVY x360 2-in-1 Laptop

If you are looking for the best laptop for working from home under $500, you might want to add a few more bucks to that and get this HP ENVY x360 with 15.6” widescreen which allows you to view files, videos, and images conveniently.

This laptop has an appealing aesthetic design, a premium-looking laptop that is perfect for those working from home.

It has a 2.3 GHz ryzen 5 4500u processor and has 8 GB DDR4 RAM that offers ultra-speed that supported the laptop’s great efficiency.

The 256 GB storage of this device is already enough to support and store various files. It has a 3 USB port that can be used to connect additional devices and external storage if needed.

With its battery that can last up to 13 hours, you are sure that you can finish your designated tasks within the day. It weighs around 4.41 pounds that is light enough to be moved from one place to another, anywhere in your house.

HP laptops are known to be dependable over the years and it offers endless opportunities that work from home employees can enjoy.

9. Best Business Laptop – Dell 2021 Precision 7000 7750

This laptop brand is offering an affordable as well as sturdy laptop called Dell 2021 Precision 7000 7750 that delivers good performance. This is perfect for those who are looking for the best budget laptop for working from home with a screen as big as 17.3”.

The laptop has 2.6 GHz core i7 processor and 32 GB DDR4 RAM that allows user to manage files, images, or even videos as quickly as possible.

It has 1TB storage capacity which allows the users to store everything they need to carry out their respective jobs. As for connectivity, it has several USB ports that can be used to connect multiple devices at once whenever needed.

This laptop weighs around 6.65 pounds and has a battery life of up to 10 hours, good enough for those who are working a minimum of 8 hours a day.

If you are still uncertain about the best laptop for remote work that you will buy, choose this laptop because of its widescreen display, high-speed processor, and ultimately, massive storage.

How to Choose the Best Laptop for WFH: Detailed Buyer’s Guide

We reviewed some of the best WFH laptops and showed you the specs and some features that you may find useful. At the same time by doing this in depth review we’re hoping we’re able to help you in making the right decision before going out there and completing the purchase.

Here is some buyer’s guide questionnaire to help you in your research –

1. Preferred Operating System – Windows or Mac?

One of the first things to consider is what type of OS is required? – will the software you’ll be using work with a Windows based laptop or a Mac?

Most software and hardware are compatible with both Mac and Windows. When it comes to pricing, the Mac laptop could be bit pricey than its Windows based counterpart, although tech experts recommend Windows based laptop because of its efficiency and reliability.

Unlike the Mac, most Windows based laptop has higher hardware specs; this means it always has an advantage when it comes to computing power.

Meanwhile Mac laptops do have a premium feel, they use aluminum finish in its body, although Windows laptop uses durable plastic resins that can survive any job you throw at it, unless of course you let it fall from the 10^th floor of a building, don’t expect it to still be in one piece.

But overall built for both laptop types are of good quality and are quite dependable and will last you for a long time.

2. Hardware Requirement – What type of processor and do you need a graphic-card upgrade?

Most Intel and AMD processor from core i5 to core i7 and also Ryzen will work seamlessly, coupled with the latest Geforce graphic card, it will be able to handle most of the work you can throw at it.

A good graphic card will make any demanding software work as smooth and as efficiently just like the Turbo tax software and Proofhub software for team remote management.

3. What is the Recommended RAM for a Laptop for Working from Home in 2023?

The usual 16gb DDR4 RAM is more than enough, but a cpu with minimum 8gb will still do fine and perform smoothly, it will not cause any lagging unless of course you encounter an internet connectivity issue.

4. Investing Wisely on the Best Laptop for Working from Home in 2023

You can spend around $1000 – $3000 on a high end laptop model, although models with the “AMD” processor can cost a lot less than the ones that use the Intel processor.

Tech gurus say the Intel processor has longer lifecycle than its AMD competitor, because the Intel processor can work better even if it’s being used in hot weather condition.

If you’re on a tight budget, a good tip is to buy a refurbished one, it will cost you less money but you can still be assured of its quality since most retail stores still issue a warranty for a certain period of time.

For more details, check out our detailed guide on How to Choose a Laptop for Working from Home: 11 Features.

FAQs on Laptops for Work from Home

Conclusion

Working from home would be efficient if you are using a device that can aid you in carrying out your tasks. For beginners, it is imperative to be familiar with the most important factors that could affect your choices – namely processor, RAM, screen size, battery life or storage among others.

This article about the best laptops for work from home aims to help people who desire to buy a laptop within a certain price range for a specific purpose.

We hope that we’re able to help you choose the best laptop for remote work – get those fingers moving across the new keyboard of your new laptop!