Whether you’re a student, professional, or educator, having the right equipment and technology to get the job done makes all the difference in the world. That’s where understanding the best laptops to meet your work needs comes into play. So, which laptop is best for you?
Having a reliable, speedy computer is especially important these days with so many people working remotely. According to a recent survey, nearly 6 in 10 Americans now work from home. So, that’s around 60% of the workforce relying on home technology for their professional careers. Talk about being dependent on your devices.
Another study conducted by OnePoll on behalf of LG Electronics talked to 2,000 working American professionals. According to the results, 47% of professionals believe having the best technology is key to having a productive workspace. The same study revealed that 66% of respondents reported wanting to “toss out” their work device due to frustrations with that technology. Meanwhile, 62% of those same professionals with company-issued laptops claim the quality of their devices “prevents them from maximizing their productivity.” The frustration with outdated or underperforming technology is clearly keeping many professionals from being as productive as they’d prefer.
A similar survey reports that the average worker battles 18 office tech issues each week! In fact, The survey of 1,000 hybrid or remote workers and 1,000 IT professionals found 11 percent have left their job to find better tech, while 42 percent have applied to other jobs without actually switching. Results found that 20 percent “always” have bad experiences with their workplace technology, facing an average of 18 frustrations during the average work week — adding up to 102 minutes of lost productivity weekly.
Despite the frustrations with modern work tools, a high percentage of Americans would still prefer to have the ability to work from home. In fact, a survey of Americans working from home during the late stages of the pandemic reports that 75% of respondents would prefer to permanently work from home. But that means millions of people could be searching for the best laptop to avoid all the brutal tech headaches.
If that’s what brought you here, good news! StudyFinds did the research for you, visiting 10 “expert” websites in an effort to hunt down the best laptops currently available on the market. We kept these to professional laptops and gave the best gaming laptops their own spotlight. As always, if you have your own recommendations, feel free to leave them in the comments below!
The List: 5 Best Laptops, According to the Experts
1. Dell XPS 13 (~$1,300)
With so many laptops available, the one that we undoubtedly saw the most across expert lists is the Dell XPS. The Dell XPS 13 signifies a 13-inch screen and comes in other models such as the 15 and 17, which those numbers are also indicative of the screen size. Regardless of the model you choose, the Dell XPS is certainly one of the best laptops available today.
“At this point, we doubt that the Dell XPS line can do anything wrong. Its regular updates have consistently made it into our best laptops list, and they’re only getting better,” writes Tech Radar.
The XPS line recently underwent some upgrades, and although some were apprehensive about these changes, Dell seems to have streamlined one of its best-selling product lines. “The visual changes initially seemed like concept design fodder but the “invisible” trackpad works like a dream and greatly adds to the minimalist look. The same goes for the straightforward touch bar above the keyboard; the gapless keyboard takes some getting used to but it’s undeniably elegant,” Wired raves.
Dell might have made some aesthetic improvements, but they certainly didn’t sacrifice performance along the way. “Everything we love about the other XPS configurations remains, including the fast performance, striking design, and top-rate touchpad,” adds Laptop Mag.
2. HP Spectre x360 ($1,250)
The next laptop we regularly found across expert lists is the HP Spectre x360. The HP Spectre x360 is a top choice for anyone looking for a high-performing laptop that can be used for both business and pleasure.
“The HP Spectre x360 14 is a powerhouse of a convertible business laptop, featuring top-tier hardware that provides excellent performance for both work and play,” writes Tom’s Guide.com.
There are several features that make the HP Spectre such a great choice for busy professionals. “Intel’s latest 11th Gen processors and Iris Xe integrated graphics deliver snappy performance with no slowdown or freezes that we observed. And we got an average of 10 hours of battery life out of the device — one of the best results we’ve ever seen,” writes The Verge.
You will pay a bit more for the HP Spectre, but for most, that’s a trade-off they’re willing to make for performance. “The only complaint is that it’s a bit more expensive than we’d like, especially compared to new options like the Dell XPS 13 or the M1 MacBook Air. Still, it’s the complete package — and sometimes, that’s worth paying for,” Digital Trends explains.
3. Apple MacBook Air M2 (~$1,100)
If you’re looking for something a little sleeker, slimmer, and portable, then the Apple MacBook Air M2 has what you’ve been searching for. This iteration of the Apple MacBook features a lightweight design for easy on-the-go productivity.
“The MacBook Air (M2, 2022) infuses the groundbreaking ultraportable Air design with the performance and battery life enhancements of Apple’s M2 chip, all in a super-slim aluminum chassis that weighs less than 3 pounds,” writes PC Mag.
The Apple MacBook Air M2’s new capabilities combined with enhanced battery performance make this one of the top choices for busy working professionals. “It’s faster and more powerful than the previous model and is ideal for anyone looking for a super-light workhorse. Plus, it lasted over 14 hours on our battery test and has fast charging. It’s a tantalizing mix of portability and performance that makes it perfect for work and play,” adds Laptop Mag.
It’s not just the long battery life and lightweight design that make this Apple MacBook one of the best laptops available on the market. “There’s even more good additions with this new model, including a larger Touch ID sensor for logging in with your fingerprint, and a 1080p webcam, which makes the new MacBook Air a brilliant laptop for people who make a lot of video calls – and these days, that’s most of us,” Tech Radar explains.
4. Microsoft Surface Pro 8 (~$1,000)
Anyone looking for something a little more versatile will love the Microsoft Surface Pro 8. This product regularly tops the expert’s lists of best detachable laptops currently available on the market.
“Microsoft’s Surface tablets were already atop our list of best 2-in-1 laptops, but Microsoft reworked the Surface Pro 8 in numerous ways by adding a larger, higher-resolution, faster screen, a pair of Thunderbolt ports that replace the legacy Surface Connector, and a new inking experience, among other features,” according to PC World.
And there is a range of other features that make this such a versatile laptop, keeping you productive and your projects on track. “The detachable keyboard and touchpad are as solid as ever, and the new Slim Pen 2 slot with its haptic feedback for creating a more realistic feel is downright clever. Using the device without the keyboard is no longer a huge pain thanks to Windows 11 improvements that make tablet mode more functional,” Digital Trends describes.
You’ll undoubtedly get what you pay for in this versatile 2-in-1 laptop. “If you want a 2-in-1 tablet and don’t mind spending extra for a keyboard cover and other accessories, this is it. It’s simply the best, combining the iconic Windows tablet with smooth pen integration and an updated thin-bezel design,” adds PC Mag.
5. Lenovo Chromebook Duet (~$300)
Rounding out the experts’ picks for the best laptop is the Lenovo Chromebook Duet. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet regularly tops these lists as the best Chromebook laptop available – and for the best price.
“Laptops that cost $300 shouldn’t be this good. Seriously. Most laptops you can buy at that price have serious deficiencies, like pitiful performance or awful 720p screens. That’s often true, even on Chromebooks,” Digital Trends explains. “But the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 manages to deliver a great laptop experience, albeit on a very small device,” adds digitaltrends.com.
Although the Lenovo Chromebook Duet is small, it comes with a plethora of features and enhancements that make it a great choice for daily work or pleasure. “Day-to-day, this laptop is quite usable for light work and leisure. It has a sharp, bright 11-inch screen and a surprisingly comfortable keyboard and touchpad. The battery life is close to all-day,” writes The Verge. “But the real draw of this device is its portability — it’s just 2.09 pounds with the keyboard attached, making it quite convenient to carry around and whip out to use on the go,” theverge.com furthers.
The keyboard is detachable as well, adding to the versatility of this Chromebook. While Lenovo is well-known for the sturdiness of its laptops, this iteration of the Lenovo Chromebooks is also more powerful and easier to use than previous versions. “The Chromebook Duet also sees ChromeOS gain some touchscreen tablet optimizations that it’s needed for a while, making it easier to navigate all of your tabs,” writes Tom’s Guide.
You may also be interested in:
Sources for this report:
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.
