Working from home is not as easy as you may think. However, most freelancers, consultants, and digital nomads find comfortable and convenient when working remotely. Other professions may face obstacles that make it challenging to balance personal and career life. Be it business, media, education, or even tech, having a remote working laptop can help you remain productive while you’re at home.
Top Rated Budget Laptops
Last update on 2024-12-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The general rule is that you won’t require an outdoor office to get all your work done; all you need is the best laptop for working at home.
Recently I got the opportunity of working from home; therefore, I have researched almost a week to find a suitable laptop. Meanwhile, I stumbled upon many popular laptops that are suitable for working from home. In this post, I will tell you some essential facts which will help you to select your desired laptops. Even I think this list is going to be larger on the internet. So, without wasting time, let’s get started. I have listed some dated laptops as well, which are great bargains and offering robust performance, so don’t forget to check them out. If you’re in a hurry, check out our top choice DELL XPS 15 9570 Check price at Amazon.
Best Laptop for Working from Home 2021 – Buyer’s Guide
General requirements:
Functionality
A powerful notebook designed with robust features and communication tools is all that you need. Since you are working remotely from home, you will need to video conference with clients, and so a good webcam is a significant thing.
Battery
Having a laptop with decent battery life is crucial. When working remotely, your computer should last at least 7 hours before recharging it. It becomes necessary if you often travel and need to have an extended battery.
Price
Most digital nomads work on budgets and hence require high-end performing and affordable laptops. Different laptops vary with price depending on the type of work that they do. As an example, for a video editor, you will probably need to invest a lot in a laptop with a dedicated graphics card and a fast processor.
Durability
Chances are, if you are working from home, it will be hectic for you to keep changing your laptop every time. Laptop durability is an essential thing to consider since it helps you in choosing the best laptop that can serve for an extended period before thinking of purchasing another one.
Weight
The best laptop for remote working should be lightweight. Since you are working from home, the working space is minimal, and hence having a computer that will not take much of your area feels comfortable.
Familiarity
Starting to learn how to operate new laptops may be time-consuming. The best thing to do when it comes to buying the best laptop for working from home is how familiar you are with the device. If you have interacted with a specific brand of laptop, then you should go for the same brand since you are familiar with its features.
Hardware requirements:
Processor
A laptop processor is undoubtedly a crucial factor when choosing a laptop. However, if you’re into some general tasks such as checking emails, browsing the internet, or using Microsoft Office, you don’t need a much powerful machine. On the other hand, designers, editors, or professionals may need a multi-core processor with higher clock speed.
Screen Size and Resolution
A consideration that should depend on the type of task to perform. Basic tasks may require a 13-inch laptop while a 14 or 15.6-inch laptop may be necessary for graphics-oriented jobs or programming.
You should also pay attention to the display resolution, which is a significant factor in display quality. The below resolution and quite popular nowadays.
- 1366 x 768 (HD) – poor quality
- 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) – Average (For most budget laptops)
- IPS 1920 x 1080 (Touch screen) – Good quality (For mid-range laptops)
- IPS 4K (3840 x 2160) (Touch screen) – Great quality (For premium laptops)
RAM
Working from home is all about doing multitasking, whether doing skype, checking emails frequently, listening to music, or using social media. Along with the main work, you might be doing several other tasks. Therefore, you need to have the right amount of memory is your notebook to tackle this load. However, in many situations, 4GB is enough, but if you can choose 8GB would be much better.
Storage
Storage is also a vital factor that also affects the speed of the laptop. SSD is modern technology to offer the fastest data transfer speed. Your remote working laptop must have an SSD storage. However, the size you can choose as per your requirements.
Graphics Cards
With Intel’s integrated graphics, you can perform activities like exploring the internet, editing documents, or data input into spreadsheets, without any problem. On the other hand, a dedicate graphics card will be required while handling video editing and graphics designing tasks.
Now let’s have a look at my laptop recommendations, which are suitable for remote working in 2024.
QUICK OVERVIEW:
Best laptops for working from home at a glance
LENOVO IDEAPAD 120S CHEAPEST OPTION |
| View at Amazon |
ASUS C202 CHEAP CHROMEBOOK |
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ASUS VIVOBOOK 15 BEST IN BUDGET |
| View at Amazon |
ACER ASPIRE R 15 BUDGET CONVERTIBLE |
| View at Amazon |
| ASUS ZENBOOK 14 |
| View at Amazon |
DELL INSPIRON 5000 POWERFUL DURABLE |
| View at Amazon |
MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO MOST PORTABLE |
| View at Amazon |
| LENOVO IDEAPAD 330 |
| View at Amazon |
HP SPECTRE X360 BEST 4K CONVERTIBLE |
| View at Amazon |
APPLE MACBOOK AIR LIGHTWEIGHT AND POWERFUL |
| View at Amazon |
DELL XPS 15 9570 GREAT WINDOWS CHOICE |
| View at Amazon |
ALIENWARE NEW M17 ULTIMATE WINDOWS |
| View at Amazon |
APPLE MACBOOK PRO 16 ULTIMATE CHOICE |
| View at Amazon |
Last update on 2024-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best laptops for Home Office in 2024 – Reviews
Whether you are looking for a computer that can perform some basic tasks or ideal for powerful professional work, this list will get you covered.
1. Lenovo Ideapad 120s (Cheapest Windows Laptop for Working from Home)
Processor: N3350 @2.4GHz | Memory: 2GB | GPU: 32GB eMMC | Storage: 256GB SSD | Screen: 14-inches 1366 x 768 | OS: Windows 10 Home
You can do better at home working with cheap and basic Lenovo IdeaPad 120S. Perfect for not consuming too much power when processing and has an 8 hours battery life. A
Modern and stylish laptop for everyday tasks. Comfortable when using it since you can spend the whole day without recharging it.
Experience the best of real visual clarity. It has an 11- inch HD antiglare screen and 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 3.0 with always-on charging, 1 x Type- C USB, 1 x HDMI, micro SD card reader ports to connect with other devices.
Storage of 32GB space might not be ample for storing extensive data, but this machine is ideal for low-end tasks such as browsing the internet, reading emails, or editing documents. It is designed with a 0.3MP webcam to enable video calls and web conferencing. If you are on is budget, this is the best laptop since it is pocket-friendly.
PROS
- Lightweight and portable machine
- The Cheapest Windows notebook
- Good battery life
CONS
- Poor display quality
- Only ideal for basic and single tasks
2. Asus C202 (Best Affordable Chromebook for Working from Home)
Processor: N3060 @2.48GHz | Memory: 4GB | Storage: 16 GB eMMC | Screen: 11.6-inches, 1366 x 768 | Battery Life: 10-hours | OS: Chrome OS
The ASUS Chromebook C202SA is the best budget laptop to buy. It is powered by the Intel Celeron processor, 4GB RAM, and 32GB eMMC storage capacity and designed with an 11.6 – inch (1366* 768) screen resolution, which is ample for all daily needs.
It is a lightweight laptop that offers an excellent battery life. I want to assure you about the storage. A 32GB is sufficient to store your document and personal stuff.
Unfortunately, the hardware is not very powerful to perform complicated tasks.
In terms of durability, this machine is the king of all Chromebook as it comes with a rugged body and spill-resistant keyboard.
Generally, this ASUS Chromebook is great for working remotely from home if you are not going to perform multiple high-end tasks.
PROS
- Most durable and portable Chromebook
- Lightweight and portable
- Regular security upgrades
- Appealing price
- Perfect for all general tasks
CONS
- ChromeOS has limited functionality
3. Asus Vivobook 15 (Best Budget Laptop for Home Office in 2024)
Processor: i3-8145U @3.90GHz Memory: 8GB | Storage: 128GB eMMC | Screen: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 | Battery Life: 5-6 hours | OS: Windows 10 in S
It is one of the most lightweight and 15.6-inch laptops, which might be a viable choice for users working from home. The ASUS VivoBook 15 weighs 3.75 pounds, and it comes with a 15.6-inch Full HD Nano Edge display, perfect for reading, editing, or watching videos.
The laptop is sculpted with an aluminum lid and a plastic base finished, which reflects a gorgeous desing along with rock-solid durability. A 2 USB 2.0 Type A, 3 Type – A, USB 3 Type C ports, and a microSD card slot is contained for connectivity. The keyboard provides professionals with a good typing experience and has a fingerprint scanner.
The battery life of this laptop is somehow a disappointment since it can last up to 5 hours. However, it is a powerful machine with a 3.9 GHz Intel Core i3-8145U processor and GPU Intel Ultra HD Graphics 620. The internal memory of 8GB RAM and 128 GB SSD ensures the smooth running of programs. I would recommend this laptop for users who are looking for a budget machine with lightweight design.
PROS
- Gorgeous design with higher screen-to-body ration
- A slim and lightweight notebook
- Acceptable performance for this low price
- Ergonomic keyboard
- Backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader
CONS
- The battery life could have been better
4. Acer Aspire R 15 (Best Budget Convertible Laptop for Working at Home in 2024)
Processor: i7-7500U @3.50GHz | GPU: 940MX 2GB | Memory: 12GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Screen: 15.6-inches Touch, 1920 x 1080 | Battery Life: 9-hours | OS: Windows 10 Home
If you need to perform high-end tasks and the other previously listed laptops can’t work for you, the Acer Aspire R 15 is another viable option with the convertible design. Along with the 2-in-1 design, this machine ensures a seamless performance, thanks to the i7-7500U processor and the GeForce 940MX graphics. You can even do heavy multitasking with this buddy.
The convertible design with a touch screen allows doing several other tasks as well, such as designing. If you are an editor or a designer, it could be the best notebook in 2024 for a lower price. The display is featuring a full HD resolution along with vivid colors.
Besides the computer having excellent performance, it is still capable of lasting up to 9 hours when fully charged. Another exciting thing about this slim laptop is, it comes with a fingerprint sensor that helps in one-touch secure login.
Altogether, for a mid-range price, the Acer Aspire R15 might be the best laptop for remote working, which comes with a versatile design, reliable performance, and whopping battery life
PROS
- Prominent convertible design with impressive display quality
- High-resolution touchscreen
- Potent hardware ensures seamless performance
- Comes with a fingerprint sensor
- 9 hours of whopping battery life
CONS
- A bit costly than its rivals
5. Asus ZenBook 14 (Best Portable and Powerful Laptop for Remote Working in 2024)
Processor: i5-8265U @3.9 GHz | Memory: 8GB | Storage: 256 GB PCIe SSD | Screen: 14-inch 1920 x 1080 | Battery Life: 12-hours | OS: Win10 Home
The ASUS ZenBook 14 thin laptop is a highly portable laptop that gives its best in terms of performance. This laptop is an excellent option for any user looking for a great display and high-end resolution along with portability. This laptop comes in two variants, the 8th Generation Intel Core i5 or the Core i7-8565U. You get an Intel UHD Graphics 620 and a discrete NVidia GeForce MX150 GPU with 2 GB VRAM, 8GB LPDDR3 memory, and up to 512 GB PCIe 3.0 x 2 SSD storage with a 256 GB on the lower-end model. Overall, this buddy can handle mild to moderate multitasking.
With the inbuilt fingerprint reader and Windows Hello, you can instantly log in, which is excellent. This machine can last up to 10 hours with a single charge.
If you’re looking for a slim, powerful, and portable with long-lasting battery life, the Asus ZenBook 14 worth a look.
PROS
- Brilliant design with a three-sided slim bezel
- Extremely compact and slim machine
- Great battery life
- Available with several configurations
- Comes with a fingerprint sensor, backlit keyboard, and USB Type-C port
- Highly color-accurate display with 100% sRGB color gamut
- Superior durability
CONS
- Slightly higher price
6. Dell Inspiron 5000 (Powerful and Durable Laptop for Home Office)
Processor: i5-7200U @3.10GHz | Memory: 8GB | Storage: 1TB HDD | Screen: 15.6-inches touch, 1920 x 1080 | OS: Windows 10 Home
The Dell Inspiron 5000 is another popular laptop which comes with powerful performance and higher durability. It comes with a 1080p touch display, which can be used for several tasks.
The fast 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-7200U processor is combined with a productive 8GB DDR4 RAM, which enables the experts to perform multiple tasks. Moving to the inner stockpiling of this powerful PC, a 1TB HDD goes far for the individuals who chip away at the PC routinely. Intel HD Graphics 620 helps further to add to the estimation of this reasonable 2-in-1 PC that guarantees efficiency every day.
As for the connectivity, this 2-in-1 laptop comes with HDMI port, 3 USB 3 ports, SD Card slot, Ethernet jack, and a headphone jack.
Image quality is the best when contrasted with the others in a similar spending range. You can use it for drawing, editing, or watching videos.
The battery life on Dell Inspiron 5000 usually is lasting up to 6 hours. This versatile and powerful notebook is ideal for professionals or anyone who heavy multitask.
PROS
- Durable, stylus, and professional design
- Beautiful touchscreen with excellent picture quality
- Excellent performance
- Extensive connectivity options
- Great quality keyboard
- Can be used as a tablet with convertible design
CONS
- SSD not available
7. Microsoft Surface Pro (Best Detachable Laptop for Remote Home Use)
Processor: Intel Core i5/i7 | Memory: 8GB | Storage: 256GB – 1TB PCIe SSD | Screen: 12.3-inches touch, 2736 x 1824 | Battery Life: 9.5 hours | OS: Windows 10 Pro
When it comes to prior surface models, the 5th Gen Microsoft Surface Pro is still a great deal. It is an ultralight and versatile machine that has a matte-black finish and appears to be sleek. Thanks to the black exterior and texture make of this laptop since it helps the user to have a grip.
The laptop weighs 1.73 pounds and is an excellent deal for professionals working from home. On the other side of the performance, you will not be disappointed. It comes with the Intel Core i7 processor that is paired with an Intel Iris plus 640 GPU support. Multitasking is made smooth with an additional 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD internal storage. You can switch between multiple programs without experiencing any problem.
The display on this laptop is competitive. It has a 12.3-inch display with a 2736 x 1824 pixels screen resolution that makes it give a vivid and bright display quality. Video editors and programmers will find it comfortable to use this screen since it ensures accuracy and is accessible on the eyes.
The Surface Book comes with a detachable keyboard, which is quite handy when using it in tablet mode. It means you don’t need to deal with that annoying keyboard all the time.
Professionals can use this laptop to create handwritten notes or edit documents since it has applications that support these tasks.
The surface pro laptop can last up to 9 hours without recharging the battery; therefore, it’s an optimal choice for everyday users or professionals that work from home. You can also check out the latest model of Surface Pro is you have a sufficient budget. Moreover, if you’re into heavy graphics work, you can check out the Microsoft Surface Book 2 as well.
PROS
- Highly durable metal unibody design
- Impressive detachable design for versatile use
- Available with several configurations
- A whole day battery life
- Most portable and compact notebook
- This old model is a bargain
CONS
- No dedicated GPU
- Screen size might be small for some
8. Lenovo Ideapad 330 (Another Great Laptop for Work from Home)
Processor: i5-7200U @3.10GHz | Memory: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Screen: 15.6-inches, 1920 x 1080 | Battery Life: 3.3- hours | OS: Windows 10 Pro
The Lenovo IdeaPad laptop is an excellent choice for a mid-range price. This machine is offering an Intel Core i5 processor along with 8GB memory and 256SSD storage, which makes it capable of doing multitasking and all office-related tasks.
With the 15.6-inch full HD display, it can deliver sharp and vivid picture quality. The screen is anti-glare, and you can use it outdoor as well. Moreover, it’s offering a backlit keyboard, which comes in handy sometimes.
This machine is backed with a TPM chip, active protection system (APS), and a fingerprint sensor, which makes it highly secure.
If you’re looking for graphics-heavy tasks, you should avoid it as it has only integrated GPU memory. However, it’s a perfect laptop for all general or office-related tasks.
The Lenovo IdeaPad is featuring lots of connectivity ports that come in handy when attaching other accessories. Apart from that, this notebook is very lightweight and portable, perfect for on-the-go users.
PROS
- Good quality anti-glare full HD display
- Robust performance
- Slim and lightweight design
- Superior security with APS, TPM chip, and fingerprint sensor
- Comprehensive connectivity ports
CONS
- Battery life isn’t great
- No dedicated GPU
9. HP Spectre x360 4K (Best Convertible Laptop for Remote Working in 2024)
Processor: i7-8565U @4.60GHz | GPU: GeForce MX150 | Memory: 16GB | Storage: 512 GB SSD | Screen: 15.6-inch touch, 3840 x 2160 | OS: Windows 10 Home
Powered by the Intel Core i7 powerful processor, 512GB PCIe SSD storage, and 16GB memory, the HP Spectre is one of the best laptops in 2024, which might be a viable choice for working from home. This machine is offering a 4K touch 15.6-inch display, which can deliver crisp and vibrant image quality. Moreover, with the included stylus pen, you can take notes or do graphics editing more precisely and effortlessly.
This model is offering an entry-level NVidia Graphics card, which allows editing or gaming.
The build quality is rock-solid as it’s made of aluminum metal, which not only ensures higher durability but also provides a gorgeous and professional look. With a thin bezel and sandblasted finish, it gives premium vibes.
Additionally, you’re getting a fingerprint sensor on the right side of palm rest, which provides secure and instant login. Moreover, it’s offering the latest Type-C port and backlit keyboard.
Overall, the HP Spectre is an excellent choice for professionals in 2024 who are planning to work from home. It has everything that you require – from a brilliant quality display to dependable performance.
PROS
- Most opulent quality 4K touch display
- Comes with a stylus
- A very durable and lightweight machine
- Offering a fingerprint sensor, Type-C port, and backlit keyboard
- Dependable performance
- Gorgeous and professional convertible design
CONS
- Somewhat expensive
- Lack of ports
10. Apple MacBook Air (Lightweight and Powerful Laptop for Remote Working)
Processor: i5-8210Y @3.6GHz | Memory: 8GB | Storage: 2x 512GB PCIe SSD RAID 0 | Screen: 13.3-inches, 2560 x 1600 | Battery Life: 12 hours | OS: Mac OS X 10.14.1
Thin and durable, MacBook Air is one of the lovable notebooks of many professionals, the latest model is even havoc. It comes with the latest Intel Core i5 processor along with up to 16GB memory and 1TB SSD storage availability. The battery life is also increased up to 13 hours, which isn’t less than a miracle for that much thin laptop.
The best thing, the Retina display is finally available in the MacBook Air series, which is a substantial improvement. Moreover, now you’re getting the two latest Thunderbolt 3 ports, the most versatile connectivity solution ever.
In terms of durability or reliability, the MacBook Air won’t let you down, and it’s the salient reason behind Apple’s higher prices.
There is only one problem with the Air series; it doesn’t have a dedicated GPU; therefore, it’s not ideal for heavy-graphics work such as editing videos or graphics designing. In this case, you have to see the MacBook Pro that I have discussed below.
PROS
- The most portable and lightweight machine
- Highly durable despite a very slim body
- Premium quality Apple Retina display
- Very secure environment
- Longer battery life
- Rich sound quality
- The latest Thunderbolt 3 ports available
CONS
- Expensive
- No dedicated GPU
- Only two connectivity ports
11. Dell XPS 15 9570 (Best Windows Laptop for Working from Home in 2024)
Processor: i7-8750H @4.10GHz | GPU: GTX 1050Ti 4GB | Memory: 32GB | Storage: 1TB NVMe | Screen: 15.6-inches touch, 3840 x 2160 | Battery Life: 9- hours | OS: Win10 Home
Dell XPS series doesn’t require any proof as it’s already popular among professionals due to the higher reliability. It doesn’t matter whether you’re into designing, programming, or writing; this machine is one of the best laptops in 2024 to choose from.
Under the hood, this laptop is offering a robust Intel Core i7-8750H processor along with large 32GB memory and 1TB high-speed SSD storage, which is paired with Nvidia GTX 1050Ti dedicated GPU. Overall, you won’t face any issue in the performance, even with intricate multitasking or gaming.
This machine is made of aluminum comes with a matte finish, which provides a professional and clutter-free look along with a longer lifespan. Moreover, with the 4K touchscreen, it allows doing anything that you want. Whether it’s about gaming, designing, drawing, or movies watching, it provides a rich viewing experience. Additionally, the display is anti-reflective, which makes it usable in bright light as well.
In terms of connectivity, it has ample options; you can hook up an externals display, transfer data from storage devices, or connect a headphone.
The Dell XPS is an all-rounder device, as I said above; however, it’s quite an expensive laptop, but we can’t complain while considering its features.
PROS
- Highly color-accurate 15.6-inch 4K touchscreen
- Potent performance
- Outstanding build quality
- Offering a fingerprint reader, backlit keyboard, and a Thunderbolt 3 port
- Considerable battery life
- All-rounder machine
CONS
- Expensive
12. Alienware M17 (Best Laptop for Remote Working and Games in 2024)
Processor: i7-9750H @4.5GHz | GPU: RTX 2070 8GB | Memory: 16GB | Storage: 2x 512GB PCIe SSD RAID 0 | Screen: 17.3-inch, 1920 x 1080 | Battery Life: 3- hours | OS: Windows 10 Home
If you’re looking for a powerful laptop that must be ideal for high-end gaming as well, the Alienware M17 is the best option without any doubt. The best thing about this laptop is its design. Unlike other gaming notebooks, this machine is exceptionally slim without any compromise in the performance.
It’s backed with the RTX 2070 dedicated GPU, which is a monster itself. Moreover, with the latest Intel Core i7-9750H processor, 16GB memory, and 1TB PCIe SSD storage, it ensures the liquid-like performance. I promise you; it doesn’t matter which latest gaming title or powerful software you’re going to use on this machine, it can handle them effortlessly.
Along with the slim design, it looks quite attractive and futuristic as well. It doesn’t look like other “fancy” gaming laptops and can blend in the professional environment.
In terms of durability, it won’t let you down as it’s made of a sturdy aluminum body. Additionally, advanced thermal technology makes it more efficient when running heavy applications with proper heat dissipation.
For connecting several devices, there are plenty of connectivity ports given; surprisingly, you can connect up to three external displays simultaneously.
The display quality is also remarkable; it’s a full HD 17.3-inch panel with a 144Hz refresh rate and comes with a narrow bezel. It’s not only ideal for gaming, but also you can do anything that you want because the screen is highly color-accurate as well.
One thing that isn’t favorable about this laptop is its price; otherwise, this machine is the ultimate solution of all work-from-home needs.
PROS
- Bigger and highly responsive full HD display
- Paramount performance with the latest hardware
- Extremely slim gaming laptop
- Per-key RGB LED AlienFX lighting
- Advanced thermal technology
- Innovative and thin design
CONS
- Very costly
- Inferior battery life
13. Apple MacBook Pro (Most Premium Laptop for Working from Home)
No products found.Processor: i7-9750H @4.5GHz | GPU: Radeon Pro 5300M | Memory: Up to 64GB | Storage: 256GB – 8TB SSD | Screen: 16-inches 3072 x 1920 | Battery Life: 10 hours | OS: Mac OS X 10.13
There isn’t much to say about the Apple MacBook Pro 16; if you have got a decent budget and looking for the most reliable and stable performance, you should invest in the latest MacBook Pro 16.
This machine is like a Swiss army knife, can be used for several professional works; you just name it. Most of the professional musicians, programmers, or graphics artists trust the MacBook series.
This year, this latest MacBook is not only available with a 16-inch screen but also packed with insane powerful hardware, which can melt down any intricate processing. It’s now available with the Intel Core i7 and i9 processor as well, while you can choose memory up to 64GB along with up to 8TB SSD storage.
Whether we talk about security, battery life, keyboard efficiently, sound quality, latest technology, the latest MacBook 16 won’t let you down. However, not need to mention, it’s only for people with deep pockets, this is something most people don’t like about the MacBook.
Altogether, we have discussed almost all types of laptops so far; if you don’t have a considerable budget, you can scroll back up for many other great laptops above. But if you’re looking for the most reliable and long-lasting machine, it is the only machine on planet earth right now which can fulfill that promise.
PROS
- The superior quality Retina display with bigger size
- Top-notch performance
- Available with several configurations
- Comes with four latest Thunderbolt 3 ports
- Premium and sturdy aluminum design
- Great sound quality
- Long-lasting battery life
CONS
- Very expensive
