As a software engineer (with some laptop-specific blogging thrown in for good measure), I spend 90% of my time working on what amounts to a home office. I'm the type of person who conducts extensive research before making any purchasing decision – that's how this site came to be.
That is why I feel confident about what makes for a great laptop for working from home. That being said, there's no shortage of great laptops for working from home.
On top of this, I know this laptop buying guide will be popular with other types of professionals. So without further ado, here's the complete guide.
Processor for Working from home
As remote work has become the norm in the past few years, there's been a noticeable shift in the laptop processor market. We've seen Apple step up their game with their own ARM-based M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max and M2 system-on-chip modules, offering exceptional single-core performance and battery life, while AMD has managed to take 20% of the CPU market with their 6th generation Ryzen processors. Intel is still on its 12th generation of processors, while the 13th is expected to reach laptops in the near future. Intel's and Apple's silicon chips have adopted a hybrid performance/efficiency core design (big.LITTLE). If you need a good battery life in a PC laptop, Ryzen models are the best.
Now, is it worth investing in a high-end CPU for working remotely? If you're working with audio, video, or 3D models – yes. But for most other use cases, a mid-range (or even an entry-level) processor will do just fine. If you're looking for a Windows laptop under $1000 – you should expect to get an AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core i5 processor. If you can afford it – go for an i7/Ryzen 7, but that's not necessary for most. You can check the last letter in the processor model name to determine the series it belongs to. CPUs ending with an "H" are the best option if your work demands high-end computing performance and battery life is not an issue for you. Meanwhile, more power-efficient U and P-series processors are better suited if you don't need the best performance and you'd take a more extended battery runtime instead. By purchasing an up-to-date processor, you won't experience any lag.
To compare processors, I'd recommend using Cinebench (R23) benchmarks. Keep in mind that laptops have performance limitations, primarily due to limited power delivery and thermal design, that prevent them from being as fast as desktops.
To conclude, here's a table of recommended processors for each price bracket (CPUs split into 3 tiers based on performance):
Price Range | Processor |
---|---|
<$1000 | i5-1235U; Ryzen 5 6600U |
$1000 – $2000 | i5-12500H; Ryzen 5 6600H; Apple M2 |
>$2000 | i7-12700H; Ryzen 7 6800H; Apple M1 Pro |
The best memory for Working from home in 2022
Over the last 5 years, laptop hardware saw major improvements in terms of CPU and RAM speed, latency, and capacity. This is especially true for the newer Intel and AMD CPUs that are now able to support both DDR4 and, more recently, DDR5 RAM.
For the purpose of working from home, 8 GB of RAM is the bare minimum you'll want to be looking for. That's regardless of whether you're opting for a Chromebook or a full-fledged Windows/macOS laptop. 16 GB is where I'd recommend people to aim for, but if you plan to work with large datasets and require a more future-proof machine, 32 GB should be the upper limit.
That said, we still don't recommend spending too much on RAM speed and latency, as it won't make a big difference in our situation. DDR5 RAM is still quite expensive, so it's best to wait for the technology to mature before considering investing in it.
To summarize, here's a table of RAM configurations I recommend depending on your budget:
Budget | RAM |
---|---|
<$800 | 8 GB |
$800-$1200 | 16 GB |
>$1200 | 32 GB |
Picking a good display
When it comes to choosing the right display for working from home, the most important factors to consider are resolution, panel type, brightness and color accuracy.
The current standard is an IPS or IPS-level screen, and this should be your default choice. TN-level panels can only be found in the cheapest laptops, so if you're looking for a reliable device – IPS or IPS-level is your safest bet.
Full HD (1920×1080) is still the most common display resolution, and if you're on a budget, this is what you should go for. For most people, this will be more than enough. You'll have sharper images and more workable space, especially when multitasking. QHD (2560×1440) is most frequent in premium gaming/business laptops, while 4K (3840×2160) is most common in professional notebooks for creators.
High refresh rate screens are found in the majority of gaming laptops, and if you're into gaming, you'll want to get at least a 120 Hz panel. If you're into gaming and creative work, you should look for a 144 Hz panel with fast response times.
While not yet widespread, OLED is becoming increasingly prevalent. This is a great choice for those who want a bright, vivid display with excellent contrast ratios. Mini LED laptop backlighting may also be seen on professional laptops on occasion, notably after Apple incorporated it in their 2021 MacBook Pro range (14" and 16" models).
HDR (VESA-certified) displays are somewhat niche but not exceedingly difficult to find. Most HDR laptops have limited local dimming, so they cannot accurately reproduce darker tones. So if you're working with video and photography professionally, this isn't something you should invest in.
Finally, color accuracy and gamut coverage. These are things I would only worry about if I were doing graphic design or photography work on my laptop; otherwise, these specs aren't essential since most content creators use calibrated desktop monitors anyway (if they can afford them).
My recommendations for average home/business laptop prices range from budget-friendly to high-end. If you're on a budget, aim for an IPS panel with a minimum of 280 nits of brightness and 90% sRGB coverage. If you can afford it, get an IPS panel with at least 300 nits and 100% sRGB coverage. And finally, if money isn't an issue, go for an OLED panel with 380 nits and 100% sRGB coverage.
5 Best Laptops for Working from home
1.ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71
A Powerful and Compact Laptop for Working from HomeSummary
The ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71 offers great power and convenience for those who need to work from home. With a sleek and lightweight frame, powerful performance, and excellent battery life, this laptop ensures hours of productivity and comfort. The downsides include the weak speakers and display brightness.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED
- OLED screen produces vibrant colors.
- Powerful processor and RAM for multitasking.
- Battery life is not long enough for extended work
2.Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 9i
Classy, Portable and Capable, but Not Without Compromises- Bright touchscreen display
- Attractive and lightweight chassis design
- Powerful GPU performance
- Good battery life
- Poor key feedback
- Slippery clickpad
- No integrated SD reader or USB-A
- Expensive price tag
Summary
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 9i is a stylish and portable Intel Evo laptop, offering excellent graphical performance and solid battery life, as well as three Thunderbolt 4 ports and good speakers. However, its weak keyboard feedback and slippery clickpad, in addition to its lack of SD card reader and USB-A ports, make it difficult to recommend for those looking for a seamless work-from-home experience.
Reviews
Alternatives
HP
3.Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
Powerful Work from Home Workhorse with its Pros and Cons- High quality 165 Hz 16:10 IPS display
- Relatively easy serviceability
- Integrated numpad
- Very fast charging
- Low resolution webcam with no IR or privacy shutter
- Moderate-heavy uneven backlight bleeding
- Only average battery life
- No Thunderbolt support
Summary
The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is an excellent choice for those who need a powerful machine for working from home. Its 165 Hz 16:10 IPS display, integrated numpad, fast charging, and MUX support make it a great choice for working and productivity. However, it does have its drawbacks, such as a low resolution webcam, moderate-heavy backlight bleeding, only average battery life, and no Thunderbolt support.
Reviews
Alternatives
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
4.GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4
Packed with Performance & Perfect for Working from Home- Responsive 165Hz display
- Wide colour gamut
- High system performance
- PCIe 4.0 SSD
- No card reader
- Only one USB-A port
Summary
The GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4 is the perfect choice for those looking for a powerful, reliable laptop for working from home. Not only does the laptop boast an impressive 165Hz panel for smooth visuals and a wide colour gamut for enhanced visuals, it also features a PCIe 4.0 SSD for lightning-fast data transfer speeds and a Thunderbolt 4 port for quick connection to external devices. Furthermore, it is equipped with a free M.2 2280 slot and individual key lighting for customizability. With these features, the laptop is capable of providing a smooth and enjoyable experience while working from home.
Reviews
Alternatives
Apple MacBook Pro 14
- High-quality and sturdy chassis
- Great display with accurate colors
- Notch (functional issues)
- Limited SDR brightness
5.Dell XPS 17 9720
A high-end laptop with excellent performance and display.- High-quality case
- Excellent 4K display with AdobeRGB
- Thunderbolt 4 PCIe 4.0
- Very high system performance
Summary
Dell XPS 17 9720 is a high-end laptop with the latest Intel Alder Lake processors and a fantastic 4K display with AdobeRGB. It offers great system performance and is equipped with Thunderbolt 4 and PCIe 4.0. It comes with two SODIMM slots and two M.2-2280 slots for expanded storage, as well as good speakers. However, it is not Wi-Fi 6E compatible and its graphics performance is slightly lower than its predecessor.
Reviews
Alternatives
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5
- Trim and light for a 16-inch laptop
- Powerful processor and system performance
- Unremarkable battery life
- No OLED screen option
Table of the Best Laptops for Working from home
Laptop | Price (approx) |
ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71 | |
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 9i | |
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro | |
GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4 | |
Dell XPS 17 9720 |
Hey,
I’ve Been Applying To Tons Of “Work From Home” Jobs Lately…
So,
Hopefully…
I’ll Be Working From Home Soon…
Does Anyone Have Any Suggestions On A Great Laptop That I Could Use For That ?
Also,
Keep In Mind That I’m Interested In A Laptop That’s Great For Traveling…
That Way I Can Take My Work On The Road With Me !!! :)
Help ?