One of the essential tools for any Business professional is their Laptop. Whether you are looking for a fleet of laptops for your team or searching for a productivity system for personal workspace, you’ll want to pick your business laptop carefully.

The typical traits I relate to a business laptop are power-packed, durable, easy to use, and secure. Most of us are looking for a laptop with extra oomph. The question is, which business laptops can deliver that?

Some laptops promise you stellar battery life, while the others boast a dedicated graphics card and outstanding performance. I am well aware such a package of features comes at a cost.

Thanks to the cut-throat competition and competitive pricing, buying a quality business laptop won’t make your wallet cringe.

I reviewed dozens of laptops to narrow down your research. My list of the top ten economical laptops for business includes a combination of battery life, performance, and comfort.

So, let the parade of budget business laptops begin!

10 Best Budgeted Business Laptop: Editor’s Choice

Whether you are a Windows laptop fan or an Apple buff, the below list features the top-performing business laptops on a budget. Are you looking for a convertible laptop? Well, I have suggestions in those categories too!

With some further digging, I also spotted the pros and cons of most business laptops. In a nutshell, this review contains everything and anything you should know about the best business laptops.

Now, without further delay, let’s look into the cost-effective laptops with the best business features.

1. Acer Swift 3

Finding a well-built and fast laptop on a peanut-sized budget isn’t as easy as it looks. Fortunately, you have Acer to your rescue.

You might have to give up processing power and adjust with low-end generation Intec Core CPUs. Besides, such laptops have a plasticky built that doesn’t exactly elicit confidence. Acer’s displayed its strong suits with the Swift 3.

With the Acer Swift 3, you receive an 8-core system with AMD Radeon integrated graphics. This feature helps the laptop offer an overwhelming performance and churn through demanding day-to-day tasks. And the eight cores across the board are a significant boost to the system.

This model also gives you a wealthy 512 GB SSD storage. In my opinion, the Acer Swift 3 introduces a new era of performance for budget laptops.

Acer Swift 3 is a compact laptop that weighs only 2.65 pounds and sports a 14-inch screen. You’ll also be surprised to know that the Acer Swift 3 has the same core count as the 16-inch MacBook Pro!

Though the Acer Swift 3’s display doesn’t ruin your movie-watching experience, its colors aren’t exactly what you expect.

Pros

• Features the Thunderbolt 3 port
• Better battery life than other business laptops
• Magnesium-lithium and magnesium-aluminum alloy combinations cut down unnecessary weight.
• Pricing is reasonable

Cons

• Lacks an SD card reader
• Distracting and annoying humming noise from the system
• Not very bright and narrow color coverage

2. Microsoft Surface Laptop Go

Whether you are a business professional or a student, you’ll love what the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go has to offer. The laptop more or less includes every feature that a budget buyer would expect – satisfactory performance, lightweight, aesthetics, etc.

To start with, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go is a bang for the buck for a 10th gen Ice lake Core i5 CPU, 64 GB PCIe SSD, and 4 GB RAM. Microsoft Surface Laptop Go has remarkably low pricing for its extensive list of features.

Though this Microsoft offering doesn’t include an FHD resolution, its 12.4-inch display makes it a highly mobile unit. Professionals will also be pleased to find a decent port selection. There’s also a headphone jack available on the laptop.

The brand also claims that you can fast charge the laptop up to 80% in just 60 minutes using the provided charger. It is also worth mentioning that the laptop has the latest Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Typing in the Surface laptop Go is bliss, thanks to the 1.3mm key travel and soft touch. To me, this model sounds like a perfect purchase for budget-conscious buyers.

Pros

• CPU is smooth across all models
• Extra-tall 3:2 aspect ratio display
• The fingerprint reader works as well other features
• USB Type-A port is available
• Battery life is solid
• Best in class keyboard

Cons

• Maxes out with the rigid 256GB of storage
• Less-than-1080p display
• No face recognition camera or keyboard backlighting
• GPU is unsatisfactory

3. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (8th Gen)

I was hard-pressed to find a better business machine than the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon flaunts the classy Intel 10th Gen CPU.

Besides offering the best in class performance, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon has two attractive display options – 4K and 1080p.

The lightweight chassis weighs only 2.4 pounds is worth the dollar. This model carries all the classy ThinkPad features – stealthy aesthetics, best-in-class keyboard, and durability. All these features drive the X1 Carbon to brilliance.

Moreover, if you are looking for a portable business notebook, the X1 Carbon should top your list. Its feather-light weight is one of my favorite features. Even with a 1080p display, this beauty has decent battery life.

What I love the most about the X1 Carbon is its generous selection of ports. It features two USB-C ports and even USB type-A ports. You’ll also find the software Lenovo Vantage pre-installed on the ThinkPad X1 Carbon.

The hottest feature of this business laptop is its run time of 10 hours of 45 minutes. Though the runtime significantly reduces from the 4K model.

Pros

• lightweight, portable and sleek aesthetics
• 4K display options are available, along with vibrant and bright 1080p
• World-class keyboard performance
• Epic and fast performance
• Improved resistance to fingerprints

Cons

• Graphics is a weak point of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
• Middling battery life while using 4K display

4. Dell G5 SE Gaming Laptop

Along with business activities, are you looking for a laptop with light gaming potential? Well, the Dell G5 SE Gaming Laptop is here for your rescue.

The Dell G5 is the perfect example of why gaming or professional laptops don’t necessarily need to be expensive. This budget category entrant gives you an AMD Ryzen 5 4500H CPU, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB SSD, and AMD Radeon RX 55600 graphics chip.

You also have the options for faster CPUs, faster storage and memory, and powerful graphics if you don’t mind spending a little extra.

The model comes with a 1080p IPS display. The surprisingly amazing gaming performance and build quality compete with laptops with Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 2060 GPU.

My only complaint with this Dell model is its weak display. But, most users claim that the 144Hx refresh rate is optimum. The screen surrounds itself with some hefty bezels, which you’ll love.

Pros

• Ryzen 4000 mobile CPU performance
• 144 Hz VA screen
• Radeon RX GPU has numerous gaming chops
• Pricing is competitive
• Amazing battery life
• User-friendly features and highly durable

Cons

• Speakers are sharp and unsatisfactory
• Lacks ray tracing support
• Num lock indicator is absent

5. HP Envy x360 13 (Ryzen)

If you are into video editing and it’s your full-time profession, there’s no better choice than the HP Envy. It is a creative professional’s dream machine. The Envy includes AMD’s latest Ryzen 5 4500U CPU. At that price point, you get an eight-core machine with AMD Radeon graphics.

When it comes to tasks like rendering video, the HP Envy outshines many laptops costing $1000 or more. The wide color gamut and the excellent display are a decent job at this price point.

At this budget, you also get 128 GB SSD storage and a phenomenal 8GB RAM. With HP Envy, you are also looking at a 2-in-1 convertible model with pen support. So, if you want creative flexibility, the HP Envy X360 13 is all up for it!

The laptop exudes quality, all thanks to tweaks in the Envy’s bezel. I believe that HP did a spectacular job of squeezing more features into a thinner chassis. Lastly, the cohesive design screams aesthetics from all sides.

Pros

• Overwhelming performance from a 13″ laptop
• Ryzen 5 4500U performs better than comparable Core i7
• Offers value for money
• The metal structure is on par with other flagship devices
• Balanced port choices
• Above-average touch display
• Integrated graphics and solid gaming performance

Cons

• Battery life needs improvement
• Runs a bit louder than other laptops
• No HDMI or Thunderbolt 3
• 3:2 or 16:10 aspect ratio would be better

6. Dell Inspiron 13 7000

Dell is notorious for its latest technology and smooth performance. With the latest generation Intel CPUs and discrete graphics under the hood, Inspiron can effortlessly keep up with your productivity tasks.

The convertible modes in the Dell Inspiron 12 7000 have received a lot of appreciation. Its efficient general computing power and powerful features give you a perfect business laptop.

The ninth-generation Intel CPU includes options such as Core i9, Core i7, and Core i5 chips. With up to 16 GB RAM, this laptop has an excellent graphics chip.

It includes the typical Inspiron build quality despite the low price. Being over four pounds, it isn’t exactly the lightest laptop on this list. A few other features in the Inspiron 13 700o are Bluetooth connectivity and full Wi-Fi 5.

Work from home professionals will appreciate the top-mounted 720p webcam for a great video conferencing experience. The white paint job deserves brownie points. In short, it stands out from its silver contemporaries.

Pros

• Powerful and speedy performance
• Sharp details from the IPS screen
• Handy pen holder
• Build quality and design are stunning
• Offers USB-C ports at a budgeted price
• Perfectly functional Windows Hello Face Recognition

Cons

• Lackluster battery life
• Bulky for a convertible laptop
• Display suffers unsatisfactory color quality

7. Microsoft Surface Go 2

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is one laptop that’ll impress all your employees. The Surface Go 2 also happens to be one of the best 2-in-1 you can find in this budget. This budget-minded model is a revolution in the Windows World.

It sports a build that is as solid as its sibling, Surface Pro 7. The bright and beautiful display is a part of a more extensive package of features. you’ll also be elated to note that the Surface Go 2 has 5% more screen size. Despite the large screen, the model is only 0.05 pounds heavier.

There is no change from the port perspective in this model, and that’s good news. It has a 1920 x 1280 panel that is sharp, vibrant, and bright.

You’ll find the Go 2’s keyboard to be pretty solid. Though the touchpad isn’t sized as I would like it, its responsiveness impressed me. Also, it is compatible with the $100 Surface pen. I would say, by and large, Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a great bargain.

Pros

• Ideal for buyers on a strict budget
• The perfect width of the screen size
• The silver aluminum chassis looks classy
• There’s a signature kickstand on the rear
• 10-hour long battery life
• Dual studio mics for a premium audio experience

Cons

• Lacks intel iris xe graphics
• No bells and whistles
• Only a single USB port

8. Samsung Galaxy Book Flex

I’m impressed by Samsung’s attempt to 2-in-1 convertible laptops. The unique features and robust performance blend in to offer successful results. The bright 15-inch screen has striking colors. One of the most exciting features of Samsung Galaxy Book Flex is the nifty Qi-charging touchpad.

This business laptop comes with a 10 Gen Intel Core i7 (Ice Lake) processor, 15.6-inch QLED 1080p display, and 12GB of RAM. What’s more, Samsung is taking risks with colors and offers a beautiful gradient of hues.

It weighs only 3.4 pounds and is 0.6-inches thick. It is worth mentioning that the Galaxy Book Flex is lighter than the Dell XPS. Samsung also throws in a USB-C to USB-A adapter. There’s the MicroSD reader, headphone jack, and USB-C port.

You’ll have the best movie-watching experience with the vivid display on Samsung Galaxy Book Flex. I also noticed how the model filled my room with accurate and clear vocals. The 0.9 megapixel is enough for professionals to conduct video conferences.

The only feature about the Samsung Galaxy Book Flex that disappoints me is the shallow key placement. But, most typing tests say that it offers 80% accuracy.

Pros

• Competitive pricing offer value for money
• Built-in S pen is a unique feature
• Super-bright screen best visuals
• Premium QLED display
• One of the best battery life
• Wireless PowerShare touchpad
• Samsung DeX for seamless file transfer

Cons

• Speakers lack quality
• Oddly placed fingerprint sensor
• Shortened Shift key lacks ergonomics

9. Lenovo Yoga C94014

If you love how Apple’s systems let you unlock and start working in an instant, you’ll like what Lenovo Yoga c94014 has to offer. This 14-inch flagship model has got its game on point. I’m also amazed that the Wi-Fi connects to the laptop within a blink of an eye.

The 10th-gen Intel Core i7 processor backs the fantastic performance of the C94014. The Intel Iris Plus graphics help you a bit more than you initially thought. This Lenovo Yoga also lets you do a little light gaming.

Fast charging and the long battery life are also part of the package. If you are looking for better battery life, you should go with the FHD display. The extraordinary design of the laptop pushes it close to the winning line. One feature I wished that Lenovo tweaked a little bit is the port placement.

Also, Lenovo has done a great job with the audio setup in this model. Another small change that I appreciate is how they removed the active pen from the garage. In my opinion, the C94014 is the best money can buy!

Pros

• Faster than usual processor speed
• Enriched graphics performance
• A slew of unique and extraordinary features
• Enhanced 4K display
• Robust and dynamic speakers

Cons

• All ports on a single side
• Large and heavy discards portability
• No MicroSD card reader or dedicated video output port
• Removing the stylus is tricky

10. Macbook Pro

Apple fans will be glad to see MacBook Pro on this list. There is no denying that MacBook Pro is the finest and the best Apple laptop in the brand’s entire range. MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are some of the best systems for video editing.

Apple’s M1 custom SOC is Apple’s first conscious combination from Intel. The 5-nanometer chip is ARM-based and has 16 billion transistors. In addition to this brilliant transistor setup, the SoC includes an eight-core processor.

Opposite to Apple’s reputation of producing gadgets with poor battery life, the MacBook Pro has impressive battery life. Another reason to pick the MacBook Pro is its superior webcam experience. Apple’s decision to retain the familiar iconic chassis was a thoughtful one.

If you are into video editing, you should look at the MacBook Pro. This budget laptop has fantastic video software that isn’t available on non-Apple devices.

The lighting fast SSD storage is perfect for professionals who want to stay on top of bundles of files and spreadsheets. Plus, the ergonomic design of the keyboard will feel comfortable for most business users. For all I can say, MacBook pro can turn you into an insane Apple fan!

Pros

• Much-enhanced keyboard
• Apple doubled the base storage
• An adequate amount of features
• Four Thunderbolt 3 ports
• Satisfactory battery life
• Good graphics and overwhelming computing performance
• Bigger memory and storage than the previous versions

Cons

• Low-quality camera
• Port variety is limited
• No support for Wi-Fi 6

Business Laptops: Buyer’s Guide

I reviewed hundreds of laptops to curate this review and buyer’s guide, so I have a fair idea of what features make up the best-budgeted business laptop.

Even though the above section of the ten best business laptops has helped you refine your choice, you still have to choose and pick one of them, and that’s where this buyer’s guide comes in.

If you are not looking to compromise on features despite the limited budget, this buyer’s guide will be insightful. Here are some hot features of modern laptops in the business landscape.

Battery Life

You can’t have a great business laptop with excellent battery life. You might need to travel often with your laptop. In most situations, you might not have access to power. Hence, it is more logical to invest in a business laptop with long battery life.

If you sit and work in proximity to a power outlet, the battery life won’t seem much of an issue. However, business trips with your laptop will be a challenge with short battery life. I don’t recommend taking your manufacturer’s word on the battery life.

Instead, go through third-party reviews and read what they have to say about business laptops and their battery life. I suggest you dismiss anyone who tells you that budget is correlated with long battery life.

If you think you’ll require a better battery life, you can also consider laptops with external batteries. In most situations, relying on just the internal battery might not be sufficient. Unfortunately, laptops with external batteries are not a very common phenomenon.

Classic Clamshell or 2-in-1 Design?

These days, you’ll find the best business laptops fall into the category of 2-in-1 laptops or hybrid devices. 2-in-1 laptops are nothing but a laptop with convertible features. You can use such laptops in tablet mode or a tent or stand position as well.

You’ll often notice that such laptops also have a detachable screen. Plus, the laptops have flexible hinges to bend 360-degrees to switch modes. Bend back laptops offer a superior business machine experience.

However, if you don’t fancy a slate mode laptop, you can save a chunk of money with the traditional clamshell laptops. In any case, you’ll find budget models for both types of laptops. Another point worth mentioning here is that Windows detachable laptops have poor battery life.

Check Touchpad and Keyboard

The most brilliant specs in the tech world won’t mean diddly if the device you’re shopping for doesn’t offer ergonomics. If you rely on your laptop for most of your business, you’ll need a powerful laptop. Make sure that the laptop sports a best-in-class keyboard.

Also, there should be plenty of key travel available. I also recommend you check if there’s enough space between the keys. When purchasing a business laptop, make sure there are Precision touchpad drivers.

Look for a smooth touchpad that doesn’t harbor a jumpy cursor and has a consistent response. Plus, it should sport multitouch gestures like pinch-in zoom.

I also prefer a laptop with a pointing stick between the G and H keys. This feature lets me navigate around the screen without lifting my finger from the laptop’s keyboard. Also, having a fingerprint sensor on your touchpad can help you increase security.

Choose Your Specs Wisely

The different specs in your business laptop can make or break your experience. With the best specs, your day-to-day business tasks will be much easier. Laptop components such as processor, graphics chip, and RAM can confuse even an avid technology user.

Under this section, I’ll discuss the different specs that business users should look for in their laptops.

USB Ports

One of the key specs that business laptop buyers often overlook is the number and type of ports. Both these aspects increase the functionality of your laptop.

Though USB ports are not a dealbreaker, it’s helpful when you are trying to connect your system with external sources. After all, you don’t have to carry a slew of dongles if your laptop features a USB-C port, USB-a port, and other valuable connections.

I would suggest you buy a business laptop that features a USB-C port and even USB-A ports. Many laptops feature USB-C ports for self-charging options. A USB-C port is a definite plus as it can connect to universal docks and chargers.

Graphics Chip

If you plan to play PC games and edit high-resolution videos, an integrated graphics card is mandatory. I prefer the Intel Iris XE graphics. So, if you have any of the above requirements, a graphics processor from AMD or Nvidia is an essential feature for your laptop.

As with the laptop’s CPUs, you can find both low-end and high-end graphics chips. However, since we are discussing budgeted business laptops today, I will stick to recommending the Nvidia MX450 or GTX 1660 GPUs.

If you have a mid-range budget, you may opt for laptops with RTX 2060 or RTX 2050. The good news is you will find a range of both high and low-budget graphic chips with Nvidia.

Touchscreen

If you want a regular clamshell gadget rather than a convertible laptop, you won’t receive many touchscreen perks. Besides, it’ll also cost you one to two hours of battery life. On 2-in-1 laptops, the touchscreen is more beneficial as you’ll also use them in tablet mode.

Intel Core i5

For laptops with Intel Core i5, the performance is just a level below that of laptops with Intel Core i7. The low heat and low power allow systems with the Intel Core i5 to go fanless. It is also widely accepted that the Intel Core i5 has a better performance than Celeron.

Intel Core i5 is perfect for mainstream laptops as they strike the ideal balance between performance and price. Models with the ‘U’ end are most common. Do not make the mistake of buying laptops with ‘Y’ in their name as they have unsatisfactory performance.

Intel Core i7

Intel Core i7 is one of the best options you have in terms of performance. The sad part is that it is not available for budget models. The Intel Core i7 is primarily available in the best laptops that sport just about everything.

Power users benefit most from the Intel Core i7. Laptops with the Intel Core i7 support better productivity and faster gaming.

Apple M1

Apple M1 is the first of the brand’s custom silicon. This ARM-based M1 chip crushes its competitors when it comes to endurance and raw performance. You can find this feature on the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

RAM

If you are looking for very low-end laptops, you should not expect more than 4GB of RAM. But, gaming laptops and business laptops require a minimum of 8GB.

If your budget permits, you should ideally get a laptop with RAM of 8 GB to 16 GB. Many business laptops also come with 32 GB and 62 GB RAM, which are better suited for power users.

Storage Drive (SSD)

One thing that is more important than your CPU’s speed is the overall performance of the storage drive. I hate to break it to you, but budget laptops don’t exactly excel in storage. However, you can still enjoy plenty of storage through a state drive (SSD) at a decent budget.

Among the range of SSD storage, the PCIe x4 (NVME) units boast triple the speed of old-school SATA drives. You’ll also notice that low-end laptops use eMMC memory. eMMC memory is a solid option, but it is slower than mechanical hard drives.

Display Size

Before I get to discussing the other features, let’s get to discussing the different sizes. I have categorized the laptops in various display sizes:

• 11-inches to 12 inches: The thinnest and lightest laptop systems sport around 11 inches to 12 inches screen size. Also, laptops with screen sizes weigh only about 2.5 to 3.5 pounds.
• 13-inches to 14 inches: This screen size strikes the perfect balance between usability and portability. It’s a cherry on the top if you pick a laptop that weighs below four pounds. The best laptop in this size category is the MacBook Air.
• 15-inches to 16 inches: 15-inches to 16-inches is the most popular laptop size in the market. If you are an Apple fan, you can also get the 16-inch MacBook Pro that falls into this category. This laptop size is ideal for people who don’t plan to carry their laptops or look for portability.
• 17-inches to 18 inches: If you keep your laptop on the desk all day, you should consider a 17-inch to 18-inch system. This display size offers the sufficient processing power you require to perform workstation-level productivity.

Connectivity

Many business users work on their laptops on the go. If you are one of them, consider buying a laptop with 5G or 4G LTE support. If you often travel, relying on only Wi-Fi is not the ideal decision. Laptops with 4G support require data subscriptions plans.

Having 4G support will enable internet on your laptop even when you are away from the Wi-Fi. For the most excellent internet connectivity, I suggest Wi-Fi 6 support. Wi-Fi 6 unlocks stable connection and an increased theoretical throughout.

Conversely, I would also prefer a laptop with Bluetooth connectivity. Look for laptops with Bluetooth 5 as it offers enhanced connectivity with other Bluetooth-enabled devices. Also, devices with no headphone jack will find this feature to be helpful.

Brand

The best business laptop is only as good as the brand that stands behind it. Timely and accurate technical support is of paramount importance. While scrounging for a budget laptop for business, I looked into renowned brands.

Besides, each brand specializes in one or two specific features. For instance, if you are looking for battery life and durability, you should buy an HP laptop. On the other hand, an Apple Laptop is best for business users who want just about everything to be top-notch.

You can identify a reliable laptop with the brand name it carries. Dell, Lenovo, Microsoft, and Acer are some of my other go-to options for laptop brands.

Wrapping Up

For everyone who’s thinking that a stringent budget cannot buy a good business laptop, you’re mistaken! Budget laptops do offer not only affordability but also pack multiple features. The best laptops on a budget are as good as their high-end counterparts.

I suggest you consider personal requirements so that you can understand which features are non-negotiable. I’ve fulfilled my job of enlisting the best business laptops money can offer; now it’s your turn to make a choice.

So, which of these laptops do you see yourself using? Head to the comment section and share your thoughts with fellow business laptop buyers!