And in order to choose exactly the device model that is ideal for solving everyday work tasks, we have already analyzed the main models presented in online stores, studied their characteristics and main parameters, and present to your attention the best laptops for work in terms of price/quality ratio, satisfying all required criteria.
Rating of the TOP 20 best laptops for work in 2021
| Place | Name | Price |
| TOP 4 best laptops for work in terms of price/quality for 2021 | ||
| 1 | Lenovo Ideapad L340-15 | Find out the price |
| 2 | ASUS VivoBook 15 X512 | Find out the price |
| 3 | HUAWEI MateBook D 14″ | Find out the price |
| 4 | Acer Aspire 3 A315-23 | Find out the price |
| TOP 4 best laptops for work up to 70,000 rubles | ||
| 1 | Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15 | Find out the price |
| 2 | ASUS VivoBook 14 K413 | Find out the price |
| 3 | MSI GF63 Thin 9SCXR | Find out the price |
| 4 | Xiaomi RedmiBook 14″ | Find out the price |
| TOP 3 best laptops for work under 60,000 rubles | ||
| 1 | Lenovo IdeaPad 5 14 | Find out the price |
| 2 | ASUS Zenbook 14 UX431 | Find out the price |
| 3 | HONOR MagicBook Pro | Find out the price |
| TOP 3 best laptops for work up to 50,000 rubles | ||
| 1 | ASUS VivoBook 14 M413 | Find out the price |
| 2 | Lenovo IdeaPad S145 | Find out the price |
| 3 | Acer ASPIRE 5 A514-54 | Find out the price |
| TOP 3 best laptops for work under 40,000 rubles | ||
| 1 | ASUS Laptop 15 X509 | Find out the price |
| 2 | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15 | Find out the price |
| 3 | Acer Aspire 3 A315-42 | Find out the price |
| TOP 3 best inexpensive laptops for work | ||
| 1 | Haier A1400 | Find out the price |
| 2 | ASUS E402 | Find out the price |
| 3 | Acer Extensa 15 EX215-31 | Find out the price |
Features of the ideal laptop for work:
- lightweight and durable design
- mobility, i.e. long battery life
- Numerous ports and wireless connectivity
- SSD storage and plenty of RAM
Rugged housing
Let's start with the outer layer . The case must be made of high-quality plastic or metal. The most commonly used materials are aluminum, carbon fiber, magnesium alloy. This rugged business laptop offers reliability in a variety of environments.
A practical addition is the splash-proof keyboard, which protects you from accidental damage to components.
The degree of durability of laptops can be indicated in the technical specifications. Such information, for example, proof of successful completion of the MIL-STD-810G test , which is a military standard for durability and resistance to external factors (dust, water, temperature, shock, impact and drops).
Light weight
Durability must go hand in hand with the light weight of the device. A lightweight business laptop is, first of all, about mobility, so the ability to comfortably move it from place to place, which means hassle-free remote work.
Entrepreneurs who happen to work not only in the office, but also outside it, for example, on the road, should pay special attention to this element. The lightest laptops weigh about 1 kg, but, as a rule, these are the most expensive models . So it is best when the weight of the case does not exceed:
- 1.5 kg - for laptops up to 14 inches
- 2.0 kg - on 15.6-inch display
Mobility - long battery life
A mobile laptop for a professional should also have a capacious battery on board, which will ensure long-term operation on a single charge.
A business laptop should provide at least 8 hours of operation on a single charge.
The best models offer up to several hours of battery life, so you can freely use them in situations where you don't have access to an electrical outlet, such as when traveling.
Multiple connectors and ports
A business laptop should also offer the user a full range of I/O ports. They increase the functionality of the laptop and allow you to fully use its capabilities.
- USB - The main connectors are, of course, USB 3.0 (USB 3.1), but the universal USB Type C connector is also becoming a standard. The latter will allow, for example, to conveniently connect a modern smartphone, a port replicator, and even a monitor. Some laptops also allow you to charge the battery through this port.
- Thunderbolt is a modern connector that guarantees the fastest data transfer
- HDMI and Display Port - A modern office laptop also offers video outputs for connecting an external monitor or projector, which is useful at work and during business meetings.
- Ethernet / RJ45 - Provides a wired Internet connection. Due to the thin body, this connector is sometimes missing, then if necessary, you can use a USB to RJ45 adapter to connect to the network this way.
- A memory card reader is a useful accessory for quickly transferring files, for example from a camera or smartphone
- Headphone jack – mini jack jack allows you to connect headphones and external speakers
Wireless connection
A wide range of wireless connections, including high-speed Wi-Fi, should be complementary. Currently, the standard is Wi-Fi 5 (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac), which allows operation in two bands: 2.4 and 5 GHz). The latest devices already support the more efficient Wi-Fi 6 standard (Wi-Fi ax).
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If you use your laptop frequently when traveling, you might want to consider purchasing a laptop with a built-in 4G LTE modem and SIM card slot. This will allow you to have constant access to the network almost anywhere there is cellular coverage.
RAM and SSD
These two parameters largely determine the laptop's speed and operating comfort.
- RAM - in the case of RAM, the rule is simple - the more, the better. It allows you to fully exploit the potential hidden in the heart of the laptop, that is, in the processor. The absolute minimum is currently 8GB of RAM, but you should consider choosing a model with more RAM. This will allow you to enjoy uninterrupted performance even when running many applications. The type of memory is just as important as the amount of memory. Modern laptops use DDR4 with higher bandwidth and lower power consumption.
It is also good when the RAM is expandable, i.e. It is possible to install additional memory chips. As a result, the initial purchase is cheaper, and if the performance is not enough, there is nothing stopping you from improving it.
- SSD drive - a fast laptop also needs a suitable drive to work. Currently, and for good reason, SSDs are leading the way. They provide faster data transfer (which, among other things, make the system and applications run faster) and are more reliable, they run cooler and are almost silent. So the advantages are undeniable.
How to choose a laptop for work?
When choosing a laptop for work and having first decided on a possible budget, you should determine the order and purpose of using the device.
Laptop for simple tasks (mail, internet, office programs, instant messengers)
Desirable requirements for such a device (minimum):
- RAM - at least 4 GB, with a smaller value the device will “slow down”;
- processor - average performance, 2 or 4 cores are acceptable;
- video card - sufficiently built-in;
- memory – small amounts are possible, preferably expandable; all other things being equal, you should prefer a fast SSD drive;
- screen - at least 15 inches; if you plan to primarily use it as a replacement for a traditional desktop device, then you should give preference to a screen of 17-19 inches;
- resolution - for long-term work, you should prefer an IPS matrix with a resolution of at least 1366x768;
- additional requirements are a full-size keyboard for working with text, a webcam and microphone if you need to participate in video conferencing.
A laptop for frequent travel and general use
Desirable requirements for such a device (minimum) are similar to those given above, with the exception of the following parameters:
- Dimensions - minimum comfortable weight and dimensions;
- memory - a hard drive of up to 120-160 GB is desirable to be able to work with data offline;
- screen - compact, 11-13 inches;
- resolution - perhaps slightly lower than 1366x768 (since the screen is smaller).
Relatively powerful laptop for more complex tasks and/or games
Desirable requirements for such a device (minimum) are similar to those given above, with the exception of the following parameters:
- RAM - at least 8 GB, better - more;
- processor - more efficient;
- video card - if the work is not related to graphics, then you can go with the built-in one, in other cases you should prefer discrete (separate) video cards;
- screen - at least 15 inches, preferably 17-19 inches;
- resolution - IPS matrix with a resolution of at least 1920x1080, preferably higher;
- additional requirements - according to needs (maybe a stylus, a number block, a multi-touch touchpad, etc.).
A laptop for long trips
Desirable requirements for such a device (minimum) are similar to those given above, with the exception of the following parameters:
- capacious battery;
- energy efficient processor;
- video card - integrated or economical, less demanding on energy;
- storage - SSD, which consumes less energy;
- screen - about 14 inches: enough for work and not too expensive for the battery.
Laptops for work that you should pay attention to in 2021
A working tool in the form of a laptop has long become familiar to representatives of almost any IT industry.
We have written about laptops, good and different, several times. But in most cases these were reviews of unusual and very unusual devices. Today we propose to continue the topic with laptops, discussing those that are worth using in 2021. As always, the list is subjective - but this is good; usually an active discussion opens in the comments, where readers offer their options. There are very unexpected discoveries. Well, let's get started.
HP Specter x360 14
Despite the high price, this is a very remarkable device that may be useful to representatives of various IT areas, and not only to them.
First, about the characteristics. The processor here is an Intel Core i7-1165G7, the video is an integrated Intel Iris Xe. The device screen diagonal is 13.5 inches, 3:2, 3000 x 2000. The screen itself is an OLED touchscreen. The weight of the device is only 1.34 kg.
There are not many connectors. All of them are located on the right, these are micro-SD, 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C, Power Delivery, DisplayPort), and on the left, USB 3.1 Gen 1. The communication module is AX201, which provides support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.
The keyboard is quite comfortable; the developers managed to make it compact and at the same time effective. Of course, this is not mechanics, but still quite good.
The disadvantage is that there is nothing to upgrade here, except perhaps the SSD. All other modules and chips, even Wi-Fi, are soldered on the motherboard.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6
Lenovo, of course, has controversial laptop models.
But the ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6 is not one of them. This is a great laptop for the corporate segment. The sixth generation has a new body, a more powerful processor and a matte touch screen. The aspect ratio is 16:10. The case is aluminum, which is good news - it is durable, and the build quality is excellent. In this model, the developers paid attention to the lid hinges - they are adjusted perfectly. Compared to the previous model, this device is narrower and a little thinner.
As for the connectors, on the left side we have 2x Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbit, DisplayPort Alt-Mode 1.4, Power Delivery 3.0), USB-A (3.2 Gen.1), HDMI 2.0, on the right - Active Pen Pro, audio jack , USB-A (3.2 Gen.1, always on), Kensington lock slot.
The wireless communication module supports modern Wi-Fi 6, like the model described above. But there is one more surprise - among the different device options, the model with an LTE modem and a 5G module stands out.
The cost of the device is $2200.
Dell XPS 13 (9310)
This model can be called a fashion model, because it looks very cool.
It is worth noting that it has two versions. The first is a regular laptop, which we are talking about now. The second is a combined version, which with a slight movement of the hand turns into a tablet. As for the laptop version, it is equipped with an Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor, integrated Intel Iris Xe video, and a 13.4-inch touch screen. By the way, the screen is covered with Gorilla Glass 6. Weight is only 1.2 kg.
Overall, this is both a powerful and very lightweight device that can be used anywhere and everywhere - at home, at work, while traveling, etc. The case is aluminum, durable, all corners are rounded for user convenience.
The keyboard is comfortable, it would be strange if it were otherwise. Since this is a compact device, the keyboard is membrane.
As in many other models, all modules and chips here are soldered on the board. You can only replace the SSD - apparently, this is where everything is going. As for the ports, there are not very many of them - there is one Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 Type-C on each side. That's all.
The device costs about $1995.
MSI GE66 Raider
Well, this option is suitable both for the average user who simply likes more powerful devices, and for gamers.
Actually, the laptop itself is a gaming laptop; a lot of interesting and productive things are crammed inside it. It is worth mentioning the Intel Core i9-10980HK processor (8 cores (16 threads), base frequency 3.1 GHz and Turbo frequency 5.3 GHz at TDP 65 W), Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super Max-Q, and everything will immediately become It's clear. As for the display, its size is 15.6 inches, resolution 1920*1080, 240 Hz. Moreover, the weight of the device is only 2.4 kg. Not bad for such a monster, right? Perhaps many users will like the RGB backlight, which is simply everywhere here.
Unlike previous models, which are still ultrabooks and can work on a single battery charge for 10-15-20 hours, here the story is different. The battery life of the device is about 4 hours, which is generally very good for a gaming laptop.
Cost: $2500.
LG GRAM 17
Well, the last representative on the list is a 17-inch laptop from LG.
Inside there is an Intel Core i7 (11th generation), integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16 GB of RAM and up to 2 TB NVMe SSD. Screen – 17-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600) IPS LCD. Well, yes, the mass of this miracle of technology for its size is only 1.35 kg. It is also worth noting the battery life of the device - 14 hours, which can also be considered an outstanding result for a 17-inch laptop.
LG Gram 17 (2021) is equipped with two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports, HDMI and an audio jack. There are two more USB 3.2 ports and a slot for microSD memory cards.
As for the design, it cannot be called the strong point of the device - rather, the developers focused on capabilities rather than beauty. Although the LG GRAM 17 cannot be called ugly - it’s quite a normal laptop.
Cost: $1696.
Which company should you choose?
The leadership in the production of a variety of laptop models designed to solve various problems is traditionally held by Apple, a well-known American brand whose models are distinguished by a well-thought-out ecosystem, high quality and reliability.
Equally good laptops are also produced by such companies as the Chinese tech giant Lenovo, which produces reliable business laptops, the American IT company HP, which delights with a huge variety of models, and well-known Taiwanese companies: MSI, which specializes in gaming devices, and Asus, a popular manufacturer of computer electronics and equipment among Russians. and Acer.
Additional features of laptops for work:
Fingerprint reader
A laptop for work must not only be efficient, lightweight, functional, ergonomic and durable. He should also store important files on his hard drive . Therefore, it is good if it has additional security features, such as a fingerprint scanner.
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Smart card reader
Provides additional computer security. A laptop with a smart card reader allows you to block access to data for people who do not have a special smart card (similar in appearance to a payment card).
TPM
Business laptops should be equipped with a TPM (Trusted Platform Module), which provides encryption of access to data stored on the computer's hard drive, thereby preventing unauthorized access.
Kensington lock slot
It allows you to attach the laptop to the table using a special cord and thus prevent theft of equipment. The lock can be equipped with a combination lock or a padlock.
Gesture-enabled touchpad and TrackPoint
It is also worth mentioning solutions that increase work comfort. This is due, among other things, to the gesture-enabled touchpad and something that distinguishes every Lenovo ThinkPad business laptop, that is, the TrackPoint - a joystick placed between the G, H and B keys, which allows you to work without a mouse with greater comfort.
Guarantee
When choosing a business laptop, you should also pay attention to the warranty rules offered by the manufacturer. The higher the standard of service, the more relaxed you will be able to use your laptop, and if problems arise, the problem will be quickly resolved. Not only the duration of the guarantee is important, but also the method of its implementation. A convenient service is a door-to-door guarantee, that is, the damaged laptop is picked up at the specified address and sent back after repair.
TOP 3 inexpensive laptops for work
The rating of the best budget laptops includes the following models: Acer Extensa 15 EX215-31, ASUS X540MA, Haier A1400EM, the parameters of which allow you to perform work tasks better.
Acer Extensa 15 EX215-31
8.9/10
rating The thin and light laptop Acer Extensa 15 EX215-31 is designed for people who value the performance and functionality of the device in their work. The model with a stylish design is equipped with a 4-core chipset, 4 GB of RAM, and a 15.6-inch matte TN screen that eliminates glare when sunlight hits the display. The laptop is characterized by its compact size and light weight.
Owners note the average level of the speaker system, but the sound volume is sufficient for office use. To organize video communication, a webcam with a resolution of 0.3 megapixels is provided, which displays the image well. The full-size keyboard includes a numeric keypad, the distance between the buttons eliminates erroneous input.
Pros:
- large, sensitive touchpad;
- Autonomous operation for 7 hours;
- variety of connectors;
- does not heat up during prolonged use;
- comfortable keyboard;
- good supply of RAM.
Minuses:
- easily soiled surface;
- level of brightness and contrast of images.
ASUS X540MA
9.3/10
rating The device runs on a 4-core Intel Pentium Silver N5000 processor, which is powerful enough to perform simple office tasks. Thanks to 4 GB of RAM, the system runs quickly without significant lag. The keyboard is characterized by good feedback from the keys and sufficient distance between them, which eliminates typing errors. The touchpad responds quickly to commands.
The battery capacity is only 33 Wh, so the maximum battery life when playing video does not exceed 5 hours. The matte 15.6-inch TN screen does not have high image quality. Its main advantage is the absence of glare on the display.
Pros:
- good keyboard travel;
- build quality;
- pre-installed Windows 10 OS;
- presence of SSD;
- does not heat up;
- easy.
Minuses:
- no connector for network cable;
- thick body.
Haier A1400EM
9.5/10
rating The Haier A1400EM is a basic-level laptop. The body is made of plastic. The keyboard does not have an additional numeric keypad and is characterized by a clear movement, which ensures comfortable typing of a large amount of text. The touchpad works accurately, without jerking. The device is equipped with a 14.1-inch display with narrow frames and a resolution of 1366x768. The TN matrix provides acceptable color reproduction. The webcam produces images in HD resolution.
The model runs on a 2-core processor, the clock frequency of which can be overclocked to 2.4 GHz. The chipset's performance is sufficient to perform everyday office or educational tasks. Thanks to the passive cooling system, the device does not make noise and does not overheat during operation. The manufacturer has provided the possibility of expanding the built-in memory using an additional hard drive.
Pros:
- 2 microphones;
- quiet operation;
- compact dimensions;
- high data processing speed;
- clear sound;
- battery life;
- matte coating of the matrix.
Minuses:
- miniHDMI;
- no keyboard backlight.
