Getting Down to Business: 5 Top Work Laptop Considerations
Choosing the right laptop for work is a big deal. It’s not just about having a laptop; it’s about picking one that makes your work life easier. The kind of laptop you use can affect how much you get done, how well you do it, and how much you enjoy it.
So, what makes a work laptop unique? Well, manufacturers design these laptops to handle the challenges of a busy work life, whether you’re traveling, working from home, or in the office. They have good battery life, are easy to carry around, have advanced security features, and include helpful software for fleet management.
In this article, we’ll discuss what features you should consider when choosing a work laptop. Plus, we’ll check out some great work laptops from HP that could be perfect for your small business, personal work, or enterprise.
Performance and processing power
When considering laptops for business, it's crucial to know how much power your machine needs to handle your daily tasks smoothly without slowing down. The processor (CPU), graphics unit (GPU), and random-access memory (RAM) directly affect how well your laptop works.
A powerful processor can efficiently juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, like working on spreadsheets and checking emails. It can also run demanding apps, like 3D rendering programs, without a drop in performance.
Intel vs AMD processors
Most Windows laptops use either Intel® or AMD processors. You can pick either because they offer almost similar levels of performance.
However, they differ in specific categories. Intel is great for single-core performance tasks like video calls and creating Word documents. Meanwhile, AMD is better in multicore performance tasks like video editing and data analysis. AMD processors also consume less power, which contributes to increased battery life.
We recommend that you opt for the latest generation of AMD or Intel CPUs, which include enhanced capabilities.
Most business laptops typically come with integrated graphics, usually enough for regular tasks. However, for professionals who deal with graphic-intensive tasks, such as graphic designers or CGI specialists, opting for a dedicated GPU can significantly elevate the performance of your video-editing apps. This upgrade speeds up the processes and improves the clarity and color accuracy.
RAM stores temporary data that your laptop uses actively. Having enough RAM means you can multitask without your laptop slowing down. If you’re on a budget and only use your laptop for light tasks like running Microsoft applications or light web browsing, 4GB RAM is okay. Still, you might experience some slowdowns, especially if you run two or more apps simultaneously.
For making presentations or editing spreadsheets, 8GB RAM is good and helps with multitasking. But for heavy tasks like data analysis or running multiple resource-intensive programs simultaneously, you’ll need 16GB RAM or more to keep things running smoothly.
Battery life and mobility
More organizations are embracing hybrid work environments by allowing employees to work from the office, at home, or on the go. At HP, we recognize this shift, so we build our business laptops with long-lasting batteries to ensure you can stay productive on a single charge in the office and during travel or remote work.
Manufacturers often cite battery longevity under different usage scenarios. Verify these claims by consulting benchmark scores from various review sites. Remember that your battery experience might differ based on your usage habits and screen settings.
While prioritizing battery life is crucial, it often involves a laptop weight and portability trade-off. Lighter laptops usually come with less-capacious batteries. Aim to strike a balance that aligns with your needs and preferences, as there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
Durability and build quality
Let’s face it, accidents happen, especially when you’re sipping coffee and typing away or when a sudden turbulence occurs during your flight. That’s why you should pick a work laptop with a sturdy build that’s tough enough to handle life’s little mishaps.
Choose laptops with a metal chassis constructed using aluminum or magnesium alloy. They’re sturdy and able to absorb shocks, which makes them more durable than the plastic ones.
Some laptops use reinforced plastics for their chassis. While not as tough as metal, they still provide decent durability. They might not withstand a hard drop but can handle the usual bumps and knocks.
If you’re a field researcher, check if the laptops have passed the MIL-STD 810G tests. These tests certify that the PC can endure constant wear and tear for your peace of mind.
Security features
Embracing the hybrid work style has its challenges, and one big concern is security. Just one stolen laptop can lead to cybercriminals getting their hands on sensitive data worth millions of dollars. That’s a risk we want you to avoid. So, when choosing a work laptop, go for one with advanced security features to prevent unauthorized access.
A business laptop with BIOS-level security and secure boot options acts as a security guard for your computer. It only allows verified firmware and operating systems to start up, thus blocking malware from modifying the system during startup.
Built-in security features
Built-in security features make these laptops even more reliable. Some even include biometric authentication methods like fingerprint scanners or facial recognition that add an extra layer of protection beyond traditional passwords.
Consider our HP Dragonfly Notebook PC G4 as an example. It boasts solid-state drives (SSDs) with hardware-based encryption. This means that even if the drive is compromised, no one can access the information without the proper credentials.
Our business laptops integrate innovative security solutions such as HP Sure Sense, which leverages cutting-edge AI to identify and eliminate unknown malware to provide proactive defense against potential threats.
Top HP business laptops
HP Dragonfly Notebook PC G4
Key specifications
- Intel Core™ i5-1335U
- 13.5" diagonal WUXGA+ display
- HP Tamper Lock
- 1 USB Type-A and 2 Thunderbolt™ 4 with USB Type-C ports
- 6-cell, 68-WHr Long Life Battery
Our state-of-the-art HP Dragonfly Notebook PC G4 is one of the best business laptops on the market. We’ve equipped it with an incredible 68-Whr Long Life Battery and an optional mobile broadband with support for either 4G or 5G connectivity, making it the perfect companion for working as you travel.
HP ZBook Power G10 Mobile Workstation
Key specifications
- 15.6" diagonal QHD display
- Intel Core i7-13700H
- 32GB DDR5 RAM
- NVIDIA® RTX™ A1000 graphics card
- 5MP HD IR camera
If you’re searching for a business laptop capable of efficiently processing large datasets or accelerating video encoding, look no further than our HP ZBook Power G10 Mobile Workstation. We’ve equipped it with an impressive NVIDIA RTX A1000 GPU and 32GB DDR5 RAM to ensure that it seamlessly handles your graphics-intensive workloads.
HP ProBook 455 G10 Notebook
Key specifications
- AMD Ryzen™ 7 7730U
- 15.6" diagonal FHD touch screen display
- HP Premium Backlit Keyboard with spill-resistant keypad
- Fingerprint sensor
- 512GB PCIe® NVMe™ SSD
We’ve powered our HP ProBook 455 G10 Notebook using a remarkable AMD Ryzen 7 7730U processor to help you achieve top-notch performance with uninterrupted workflows without breaking the bank. Moreover, this notebook has successfully undergone 19 MIL-STD tests, attesting to its durability and easy serviceability.
HP EliteBook 860 G10 Notebook
Key specifications
- 16" diagonal, WUXGA display
- HP Wolf Pro Security Edition
- Intel Core i5-1350P
- Audio by Bang & Olufsen
- HP Long Life 6-cell, 76Wh Li-ion battery life
Your virtual meetings will never be the same with our HP EliteBook 860 G10 Notebook. We’ve built it with a high-resolution 5MP IR auto-tracking camera to ensure you are seen clearly, even in a poorly lit room. Typing noises will also be minimized to ensure your voice comes through clearly with the dual microphones’ AI noise reduction capabilities. The dual stereo speakers will also allow you to hear the speaker clearly.
HP Elite x360 1040 G10 2-in-1 Notebook
Key specifications
- Intel Core i7-1355U
- Integrated Intel Iris® Xe graphics
- 14” diagonal, WUXGA display
- HP stylus pen
- 5MP IR camera
Our HP Elite x360 1040 G10 2-in-1 Notebook is among the best 2- in-1 business laptops. Our team has designed it with a 14-inch diagonal touch display with anti-glare technology and 400 nits of brightness. This means that you’ll get optimal visibility even when working outdoors. It’s also an environment-conscious option as its keycaps are constructed using 50% post-consumer recycled plastic.
Summary
When picking a business laptop, think about the kind of work you’ll be doing. Then, decide how much you want to spend. Don’t skimp on essential parts because you might face frequent downtimes or lagging, which can be annoying. In general, it's better to have a more powerful laptop than you need.
Choose a durable business laptop with a sturdy chassis made of aluminum or reinforced plastic. Then, decide whether you prefer an ultraportable laptop with a smaller battery capacity or one with a larger battery capacity but a bit heavier.
Finally, opt for a work laptop with solid security features to avoid unauthorized access and potential malware.
