Best business laptop for your small business

Whether you work from an office, your home, or on a job site, using a business laptop can be a helpful way to stay connected. But if you don’t know your processors from your operating systems, we’ve compared some of the best business laptops across a range of budgets and sizes.

Keep reading to discover the best laptop for a small business owner – as well as how to choose the right laptop for your business and whether you should consider a business tablet instead.

Best business laptop – compared

Designed specifically with businesses in mind, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 comes with Windows 11 Pro included – an advanced version of the standard Windows Pro for businesses. This gives you BitLocker Drive Encryption, offering more protection for your work if your device is stolen.

Surface laptops are known for their touch screen capabilities, making them suitable for a range of industries. And if you’re often on the go, the device has up to 18 hours of battery life. It’s also available in two screen sizes and compatible with a range of Microsoft accessories, so you can scale with your business needs.

With the release of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 in 2024, choosing 2022’s Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 can be a way to own a laptop from the Surface range without paying the highest prices.

However, the Surface 5 doesn’t have the best graphics capabilities, meaning it won’t be a good choice if your business involves graphics-heavy tasks like video editing.

Another laptop designed for business professionals, the HP Elitebook 840 weighs only 1.3kg, making it perfect for those on the go. The battery charges up to 50 per cent in just 30 minutes, making it even more portable.

If you conduct a lot of business meetings virtually, the Elitebook 840’s webcam includes a privacy shutter for added peace of mind, as well as AI noise reduction features so your message gets across clearly.

Despite being a small laptop, the HP Elitebook 840 includes a large range of ports (Thunderbolt, USB, HDMI) which can be a real plus if you use a lot of devices.

However, it’s important to note that the HP Elitebook 840 has limited upgrade potential (such as a battery that can’t be replaced) so may not be a laptop that can grow with your business.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a range of laptops based around collaboration. The Gen 12 model, for example, features two cameras (with the option to upgrade to one of a higher quality) which come with a privacy shutter. It has two 360-degree microphones with built-in noise cancellation, as well as Dolby Atmos audio. It also includes an OLED display

Its carbon fibre chassis makes this a durable device for when you’re working on the go. It also includes a powerful processor, meaning it can handle a wide range of work.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon laptops are known for their keyboards – which are especially comfortable for those who type a lot.

However, while the ThinkPad’s graphics and processor are better than some on the list, it’s still not a specialist machine, so may not be suitable for intense graphic-based work.

If you’re just starting out on your business journey, the ASUS Chromebook could be the best business laptop for you. The base model weighs just 1.47kg and has ‘US Military-grade durability’ as added protection.

Chromebooks are integrated with Google Workspace, meaning you can easily collaborate with clients whether they’re working on Windows or Mac. You’ll also get access to a wide range of Android apps from the Google Play Store.

The ASUS Chromebook CX1 opens up 180° to lay completely flat, which can be helpful if you’re showing clients examples of your work. It also includes a full-size, ergonomic keyboard.

While the ASUS Chromebook is the most budget-friendly option on our list, it does have limitations. It’s powered by lower-end processors meaning it can’t handle demanding tasks. It’s also heavily reliant on online working and cloud storage, meaning the device becomes less useful when offline.

If you work in a creative field, chances are you’ll be drawn to Apple devices. The MacBook Air is Apple’s most lightweight and budget-friendly option. Unlike Apple’s higher end Pro model, the Air is thin and easy to carry around.

It has a long battery life with a Retina display and integrates well with other Apple devices, such as the iPhone.

However, MacBooks are generally more expensive compared to Windows laptops with similar features. And depending on your business, you may find that software you need doesn’t have a Mac version – so this is something you should research first.

Business tablet vs business laptop

Depending on your business, you may decide to forgo the business laptop all together and get a tablet instead. A tablet may be a better option if:

• you’re prioritising portability: tablets can be perfect for client meetings, presentations, or on-site work
• you don’t use powerful technology: if you’ll be using your device primarily for email, browsing, and taking notes, a tablet could be a better choice
• your work is very visual: a touchscreen can be better for presentations, creative work, collaboration, or showcasing products
• you’re on a budget: depending on the brand you choose, tablets can cost less than a laptop

Do you have any business laptop recommendations? Share them in the comments below.

More tech guides for small business owners

• Best business mobile deals for small businesses
• The best VoIP phone systems for your small business
• Video conferencing equipment and top platforms for small businesses
• What type of business insurance do I need?

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