Best Laptop for Working from Home in 2023 – Top 7 Picks

You might think its performance would suffer at such a low power level, but the XPS 13 never felt sluggish during everyday use. The XPS 13 9315 laptop combines portability and speed, making it lighter than most laptops.

Although Raptor Lake may be the newest craze on desktops, Alder Lake still rules the laptop world. The Core i5-1230U, the entry-level model in Intel’s mid-range i5 CPU lineup, has eight 3.3 GHz-capable E-cores and two P-cores with a maximum clock speed of 4.4 GHz. Because the i5-1230U has more E-cores than P-cores, it can achieve a low TDP of 9W.

E-cores are ideal in a slim and light notebook like the XPS 13 9315, even though they don’t always make sense on the desktop. Since most users will use this laptop to do light work like browsing the web or using office software, its two P-cores are sufficient for such tasks. Other applications like virus scanning may be done in the background using those efficiency cores.

The XPS 13 has very few connectivity ports due to its slim size. Despite that, Dell did not cut corners because the XPS 13 9315 comes equipped with a Killer Wi-Fi 6E 1675 network controller based on Intel’s AX211 chipset and features a 2×2 MIMO antenna arrangement. The 2×2 MIMO uses two antennas to establish up to two data streams with the receiving device. The throughput of 2×2 networks is increased by up to 100% compared to conventional single antenna networks. If your home network is 1 Gbps, that theoretically releases nearly 2 Gbps of bandwidth. Additionally, the Killer network configuration includes Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity.

The XPS 13 9315 is no different from other 13-inch notebooks in terms of the low number of available ports. The Dell XPS 13 has the fewest ports of any model so far, with just two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports (the charger will use one of those ports), and it does away with the headphone jack and microSD card slot from earlier generations.

Since the headphone jack that Dell had previously supplied on its XPS PCs is no longer present, it’s disheartening for someone who uses wired headphones on their PC. To Dell’s credit, the laptop comes with a USB-C to 3.5mm adaptor for wired headphones and a USB-C to USB-A adapter for older devices. However, you’ll probably need to invest in a USB-C hub if you frequently use wired peripherals and external monitors.

Overall, the Dell XPS 13 9315 is a great lightweight laptop that balances performance, portability, and style. Whether you’re a professional or just someone who needs a reliable machine for everyday use, the XPS 13 9315 is among the best laptops for working from home that is worth considering.

This laptop is ideal for remotely accessing all your software applications from your office workstation. It feels well-built even though it’s mostly plastic, and it’s easy to carry around thanks to its thin and light design.

It has good battery life, lasting over 9 hours of light productivity and nearly 8 hours of video playback. The webcam’s video quality is decent for video conferences, the touchpad tracks reasonably well, and the keyboard has well-spaced keys, but it can be tiring to type on over time. The display gets bright enough for use in most settings, but its narrow color gamut makes most contents appear washed out, so it isn’t ideal for work that requires perfect image accuracy.

In light productivity tasks like text editing, spreadsheets, and web browsing, the Ryzen 5 5300U CPU offers a smooth experience. You can consider upgrading the processor to an AMD Ryzen 7 5700U if you frequently multitask or need to run a lot of multi-threaded programs on your home PC.

It can also do some 3D rendering if the work isn’t extremely sophisticated. However, its integrated GPU is insufficient (and there is no dedicated graphics card) for graphically challenging applications like high-end gaming or high-resolution video editing.

The standard 4GB option may create slowdowns or stutters. Therefore even if you want to customize the RAM, it is advised to acquire at least 8GB.

The MacBook Pro is a workhorse for creative operations and supports many iPad and iPhone apps. Numerous apps can be added to your Mac’s software selections even though it is without a touchscreen.

Its six-speaker sound system can fill a room with a lot more bass and create an impressive three-dimensional soundstage. Pair this with its incredible Liquid Retina XDR display, it’s no different from having a portable theatre.

The MacBook Pro’s 1080p camera uses a wide aperture lens that allows more light in, providing better imaging in low light conditions. Together with its three studio-quality mic array that captures your voice clearly, it makes a significant difference when using it for video conferences and live streams.

As part of the switch to its bespoke silicon, Apple has redesigned the MacBook series during the past year. Apple first introduced the M1 chip in the 13″ MacBook Pro in November 2020. Subsequently, in October 2021, the all-new 14″ and 16″ MacBook Pro were fitted with the M1 Pro and the more powerful M1 Max chips.

The size of physical computers has some bearing on the chip’s configuration. By default, you will be upgrading from the base M1 if you desire the newer or larger sizes (which have many other advantages). The Apple M1 Pro chip and M1 Max chip may only be purchased with the 14″ and 16″ MacBook Pros,  while the original Apple M1 chip is only available with the 13″ MacBook Pro.

The 10-core M1 Pro will perform satisfactorily with well-optimized software like Final Cut and DaVinci Resolve. It is fine to stick with the M1 Pro because audio programs tend to push that CPU rather than the GPU.

The M1 Max adds several components specifically designed for video and imaging; it is not worthwhile to spend extra for parts you won’t use. Hence, choose the M1 Max if you are doing a lot of content creation and can afford the high price.

It’s a simple decision: If you are not a professional content creator, choose the 10-core M1 Pro, and while you’re at it, strongly consider upgrading to 32GB of memory.

There are some valuable ports available for your advanced editing and charging needs. Three USB-C connections are now available (two on the left and one on the right), in addition to a 3.5mm headphone socket that supports high-impedance headphones, an SDXC card slot, and an HDMI port. A new MagSafe 3 charging port with a fabric-covered wire is also available to keep you charged.

It has incredible quality and is reasonably priced. It is the best laptop for working from home based on size, weight, and processing power. It has close to 13 hours of battery life, and its performance is excellent for its class.

One great feature is that it can operate both as a laptop and a tablet. Users of this convertible touch-screen laptop would enjoy a dynamic experience.

For 2022, Lenovo updated the Lenovo Yoga 7i from top to bottom, significantly enhancing the user experience. It is now more lightweight, has smooth, rounded edges, and is more pleasant to type on. 

It has an improved resolution from Full HD to 2.2K and now has 100% sRGB color gamut on the 16:10 display, which makes watching movies and Netflix more enjoyable. 

It now comes with two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports for quicker data transfers, and each can connect up to two 4K 60hz DisplayPort or HDMI monitors through a compatible dock. There is also one HDMI port is also available. 

There is also facial recognition and an in-built fingerprint reader as options for signing in. The webcam is now 1080p, enhancing the detail in your video interactions. The webcam also has a privacy shutter.

The Yoga 7i Gen 7 has superb audio output. There is a good amount of volume, distortion-free mids and highs, and a hint of bass. Even without using headphones, watching Netflix can be pretty enjoyable.

One disadvantage is that the Intel Iris Xe graphics on the Lenova Yoga 7i is not good enough for playing modern high-end games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Far Cry 6.

You wouldn’t expect a laptop to have Alexa integrated into it, but the Acer Aspire 5 does. It is relatively inexpensive and will serve you well for regular productivity tasks. However, the laptop’s 4GB RAM might be insufficient for running multiple programs.

The Acer Aspire 5 might be the best laptop for working from home if you’re starting. In addition to HDMI, 2xUSB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A, USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type C, RJ-45,  and a 3.5mm mic/headphone jack, it boasts a good range of ports. A 720p HD webcam on this laptop makes remote work more convenient and is great for video conferences.

The Acer Aspire 5 is reasonably priced and performs admirably. It provides an Intel Core i3 processor, a 128 GB SSD storage drive, 4 GB of RAM, and excellent high-definition display quality on a small budget. It has good battery life and does not need to be charged constantly. This is the best laptop for working from home in terms of budget.

In terms of expansion, the Aspire 5 is unique. The interior is accessible, and there is a second storage slot for additional storage space. This laptop also comes with a hard-drive bay. The Aspire 5 is more future-proof than most recent laptops. For an additional fee, you may change this laptop’s processor to an Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 model for more computing capability.

The Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-36UT is among the best laptops for remote work. It is a decent low-cost laptop with good performance and features. It is perfect for simple and casual activities such as web browsing, word processing, and video streaming. Still, it may struggle with more demanding tasks such as video editing and gaming. However, it might not be appropriate for those who have higher demands.

The Razer Blade 17 is difficult to lug around due to its size and weight. However, once it is on the table, it is a powerful laptop, offering a close-to-desktop gaming experience that’s a notch above many rivals. Delivers exceptional video and image quality, including color, contrast, and visual clarity, which makes it stand out in the display sector.

Other improvements include larger keycaps for more comfortable typing and laser-cut speaker grilles.

A rigid and sturdy CNC-milled aluminum chassis supports the 16:9 QHD display. Additionally, the hinges are very durable, allowing the top to remain open only an inch from the base.

Some 17-inch screen gaming laptops have keyboards similar to their full-sized desktop equivalents, but the Razer Blade 17’s keyboard is deficient in key choices. The right-side numeric keypad is absent. The Blade 17 makes up for its lack of key variety with generously large keycaps that give your fingers plenty of room to spread out. Additionally, the precision trackpad can respond efficiently to finger strokes.

As opposed to a 720p webcam, the Razer Blade 17 has a 1080p Windows Hello webcam. For gaming laptops, that’s pretty uncommon.

Audio is crystal clear while gaming on the Razer Blade 17. Including 4 tweeters and 4 subwoofers, this laptop has 8 speakers. The bass is good. It is possible to fill the room to a respectable degree with the volume levels.

You can set up your Blade 17 like a desktop with a wired mouse and keyboard for low-latency gaming if you utilize the appropriate input devices. You can plug in nearly all your devices at once owing to the Blade 17’s great variety of ports, including 2xThunderbolt 4 USB-C, 2.5 Gb Ethernet port, 3xUSB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, HDMI 2.1. SD Card reader and 3.5mm combo microphone/headphone jack.

The Razor Blade 17 is definitely not the best laptop for working from home (I hope you sensed the sarcasm) since you will be too distracted thinking about all the fun you have playing Shadow of the Tomb Raider or Metro Exodus.

The Latitude 5430 is Dell’s newest rugged (technically semi-rugged) laptop. It looks excellent in the office and out in the field, and while being heavier than a business laptop or even a mobile workstation, its robust grip makes it easy to carry the computer around.

In contrast to other rugged laptops, the Dell Latitude 5430 sticks out thanks to its all-black design and carbon fiber lid. The rigid handle acts as a palm rest when using the device’s touchpad and is also convenient to carry about while in the field.

When combined with the Nvidia T500 dedicated graphics option, the 11th Generation Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 processor offers more than adequate power for most tasks. There are several ports on both sides and the back of the Latitude 5430. Additional spaces are available for more ports.

Depending on your demands, Dell offers a wide range of alternative configurations for this device suitable for big companies, the military, emergency services, and first responders.

The Latitude 5430 sports a good size 14″ 1080p screen, a webcam with an integrated privacy shutter, and can endure drops and harsh temperatures. You can add more connections, dedicated graphics, a separate GPS card, a rubberized keyboard, or even another battery.

Most users will find the Latitude 5430 cumbersome. Still, companies wishing to provide robust laptops for their field personnel will be happy with the capabilities and speed boost the integrated 11th Generation Intel processors offer.