The Best Laptop For Remote Work For Top Performance

I started my remote career with a side gig as a content writer, and things went swimmingly over the years. I adapted quickly to the space, and my work became highly demanding. Some days, I didn’t need to work as hard as I was enjoying my best life by the beach. On other days, I burned the midnight oil, and my only work bestie was my MacAir. This laptop has been my loyal friend for close to 6 years until I can afford a new Mac. Happy to say my MacAir is my best laptop for remote work. 

Even before the pandemic, nearly 5 million Americans were already working remotely. Following the craziness of social distancing and all the other drama COVID brought, that figure has more than doubled. Moreover, this industry will continue to grow in the coming years.

Like most people, we pay more attention to finding the best remote job. But we tend to overlook something more substantial – picking the best tools for the job.

And, regarding remote gigs, there’s no resource more essential than your laptop. With this in mind, let’s find the best laptops for working remotely that won’t break the bank!

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For starters, here’s how to decide if the laptop is for you. You need to consider these points:

The Build of The Laptop

The build of a laptop is the first thing that grabs your attention about these types of devices. The primary features of a laptop’s build are its size and weight.

But why are these two parameters important?

If you were working remotely from just one location, your device’s build would be less vital. This is because the laptop would be stationary for the most part. But, if you move around a lot, these factors become more crucial.

The bigger the size and weight, the more inconvenient the device will be to move around. And different people come in all sizes – petite, bigger frame. You get the idea.

The Processor Of The Laptop

The processor of your laptop is critical. You can do nothing to change or improve your laptop’s processor. The second is that your laptop’s processor directly affects the work you can perform with the device.

For example, the best remote work laptop processor for a content writer can have 2 to 4 cores. Most content writer’s activities involve typing, which only tasks a processor a little.

However, executing tasks like high-end graphics design, high-quality video editing, and 3D rendering from home will need something considerably heavier. In most cases, you’d need a process with 6 cores, minimum.

The RAM And Storage Capacity Of The Device

You can afford to play it quickly and loosely when setting your work-from-home laptop requirements in this area.

This is because, provided you’re getting a Windows laptop, you can upgrade your device’s RAM (Random Access Memory) and storage capacity. Please note that Mac products do not make that option available for users.

Some people prefer to get the best RAM and storage capacity with their devices from the get-go. This approach has its merits, as it means you’ll not have to worry about such things further down the road.

The Laptop Battery Capacity

This is another variable you can do precious little about once you purchase the laptop. So, unless you want to constantly hunt for the closest power outlet, proceed with caution here. It helps to use your remote work type as a guide.

For instance, if you’ll be home more often than not, getting a device with a lengthy battery life is no real need. After all, you’ll often be close to a power outlet. However, digital nomads don’t have this luxury–they need to know where the road will take them. So, the longer their laptop battery can last, the better.

The Screen And Display Quality

How your laptop receives and renders images is also crucial as well.

But, as with everything regarding finding the ideal laptop for remote work, this variable will mean more to some professionals, like designers, than it does to others.

Data entry specialists and proofreaders can make do with any display, but a top-quality visual display is essential for video producers and UI/UX designers to do their best work.

So, be sure to consider the purpose of the laptop before forking out big bucks for your laptop.

The Tactile Quality Of The Keyboard

No matter what kind of work you do, you will have to use your laptop’s keyboard to a greater or lesser degree. This is why the best laptops for working remotely must have the best quality and layout.

These factors are essential because they strongly influence the fluidity you can work on these gadgets. The more you use your keyboard, the more carefully you consider this element.

The Best Budget Laptop for Working From Home

The Best Budget Laptop for Working From Home

As we mentioned earlier, how much you’re willing to splurge on a new laptop goes a long way in determining what device you can get.

To make picking the best laptop for remote work more accessible, we’ll split our top recommendations into two categories based on price.

Below are the best laptop for working from home under $500. Your options are:

Asus VivoBook L210MA
Picture: Asus

#1 – Asus VivoBook L210MA

If you’re looking for the best laptop for working from home under $200 right now, there’s no doubt that you just found it! This is also one of the best Windows laptops for working from home.

For those wondering why, the gadget manages to do everything just right.

We can’t help but gush over it because it has an aesthetic and lightweight build. Add that to the fact that it offers multi-purpose utility with its trackpad and has a keyboard with excellent travel.

With all that, you shouldn’t be surprised that this product is on our list.

Key Specifications
Display: 1366×768 pixel HD Anti-Glare Display (11.6 Inches)
CPU: Intel Celeron N4020 Dual Core Processor
RAM: 4 GB (DDR4)
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics (600)
Storage: 64 GB (eMMC)
Weight: 2.30lbs
HP Chromebook 11 G5
Picture: Hewlett-Packard

#2 – HP Chromebook 11 G5

In the spirit of honesty, if our top choice wasn’t so out-of-this-world, the HP Chromebook 11 G5 would’ve been a strong (and worthy) contender for the spot. In fact, the only real reason the Asus VivoBook L210MA clinched was the genius move the brand company made with the trackpad.

You just have to love the display of this portable laptop. It won’t handle any over-the-top, heavy-duty stuff, but you’ll quickly see everything you’re doing on the screen. The battery life is also quite lovely. It boasts a highly responsive keyboard and the build is up there with the best.

All in all, this device will serve you quite splendidly.

Key Specifications
Display: HD SVA Anti-Glare WLED-backlit (11.6 Inches)
CPU: Intel Celeron N3060 Processor
RAM: 4 GB (LPDDR3)
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics (400)
Storage: 16 GB (eMMC)
Weight: 2.61lbs
Samsung Chromebook 4_ Samsung
Picture: Samsung

#3 – Samsung Chromebook 4

Only a few brands can claim the clout that Samsung boasts in the tech world. So, it’s on par for the course that even their budget devices offer peerless quality. Another reason this laptop is a strong contender for the best laptop for working from home under $200 is because of its durability and spill-proof keyboard. Perfect for a clumsy person like me.

It also has an ultraportable design, a fantastic screen, an easily expandable storage space, and a well-built frame. This hardware is one of the most efficient workstations you can get now!

This is different from your regular notebook. It’s the future, and it’s super-affordable!

Key Specifications
Display: 1366×768 pixel HD Anti-Glare Display (11.6 Inches)
CPU: Intel Celeron N4020 Dual Core Processor
RAM: 4 GB (LPDDR4)
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics (600)
Storage: 32 GB (eMMC)
Weight: 2.60lbs
Lenovo Chromebook 3_ Lenovo
Picture: Lenovo

#4 – Lenovo Chromebook 3

Most tech experts looking for the best budget laptop for working from home usually look at the Lenovo line of products first. So, we had very high hopes for the Lenovo Chromebook 3 and we weren’t disappointed.

Hailed as one of the best lightweight laptops, the Lenovo Chromebook 3 takes functionality and utility to a different level. This laptop not only has the looks and feel to match, but also offers elegance and class with its build.

If you’re looking for a classy work-from-home laptop, you’ll be more than happy with this choice.

Key Specifications
Display: 250 Nits TN Anti-Glare Backlit
CPU: Intel Celeron N4020 Dual Core Processor
RAM: 4 GB (LPDDR4)
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics (600)
Storage: 32 GB (eMMC)
Weight: 2.65lbs
Acer Chromebook 512_ Acer
Picture: Acer

#5 – Acer Chromebook 512

The best laptop for working from home under $200 should have certain things. Some people may ask;

Should it have a stylish frame?

Should it have a readily expandable storage capacity?

How about a smooth and seamless operation?

What about a long and durable battery life?

The Acer Chromebook 512 has all of that and more! This work-oriented device is the perfect tool for the remote worker. With a MIL-STD-certified build, top-tier features, and a sizable 12-inch display screen, working remotely with this beauty will create a new and better meaning for you.

Key Specifications
Display: HD+ IPS Anti-Glare Display (12 Inches)
CPU: Intel Celeron N4020 Dual Core Processor
RAM: 4 GB (LPDDR4)
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics (600)
Storage: 32 GB (eMMC)
Weight: 3.00lbs
Asus Chromebook C202SA_ Acer
Picture: Asus

#6 – Asus Chromebook C202SA

For those who don’t know, you can work remotely differently. Some remote workers work from one fixed location (e.g., home), while others telecommute while traveling the globe.

The Asus Chromebook C202SA works best for the latter category of remote professionals. Why?

Because it has the most rugged build and design you’re ever likely to find on a budget laptop. It’ll take all the bangs and bruises that are inevitable with traveling and still give you peerless performance every day.

Strength and durability aren’t the only cool things about this device either, as it’s water-resistant and comes with a 180-degree hinge for increased flexibility, too! So, for those searching for the perfect companion for the road, the Asus Chromebook C202SA says, “Hello!”

Key Specifications
Display: 1366×768 HD Anti-Glare (11.6 Inches)
CPU: Intel Celeron N3060
RAM: 4 GB (DDR3L)
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics
Storage: 16 GB (eMMC)
Weight: 2.60lbs
Lenovo Chromebook 3_ Lenovo
Picture: Lenovo

#7 – Lenovo Chromebook S330

You can get a great budget laptop with standout performance for business and pleasure.

We’d like to introduce you to the Lenovo Chromebook S330 to prove our point!

With a larger screen, amazing visuals, booming speakers, an impressive battery life, and a 180-degree hinge for optimum flexibility, this gadget is what you’re looking for if you’re out to mix a little business and pleasure.

This Lenovo product gives even its worst critics loads to appreciate.

Key Specifications
Display: 1366×768 HD Anti-Glare (14 Inches)
CPU: 2.1GHz MediaTek_MT8127
RAM: 4 GB (DDR4)
Graphics: Integrated MediaTek Graphics
Storage: 32 GB (Flash Memory Solid State)
Weight: 2.65lbs
HP Chromebook 14a-na1047nr
Picture: Hewlett-Packard

#8 – HP Chromebook 14a-na1047nr

The longer you spend on your laptop, the more critical tactile quality becomes to you. You want to avoid spending extra money to purchase a better-quality external keyboard later.

This will never be a concern for remote professionals who opt for the HP Chromebook 14a-na1047nr. Boasting an impressive backlit tactile keyboard with great depth, this laptop is perfect for those who must type for long periods at a stretch.

It offers a broad 14-inch view, so you can clearly see everything you’re typing. While we certainly wish it had a longer battery life, its smooth performance, expandable storage space, and killer audio quality have made us diehard fans of the product.

Key Specifications
Display: 1366×768 Anti-Glare HD Screen (14 Inches)
CPU: Intel Celeron N4500 Dual Core Processor
RAM: 4 GB (DDR4)
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
Storage: 64 GB (eMMC)
Weight: 3.24lbs

The Best Quality Laptop For Remote Work

Willing to loosen your wallet a little more?

Below are our top picks for higher-end, best laptops for working remotely. These higher end laptops are:

MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
Picture: Apple.com

#1 – MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

At the risk of sounding wasteful, when choosing the best remote work laptop, it’s better to have high specs and not need it than to need superior work power and not have it.

But, you might start your remote career as a content writer and then switch to graphics design. Or better still, you moonlight one another concurrently and need to work on both tasks on the same laptop. In such a case, wouldn’t you rather already have a laptop that could cope with the potentially higher demands of the new space?

With an 8-processor core, high-resolution visuals, perfect saturation graphics, one of the most user-friendly operating systems in the world, and an 18-hour battery life, the MacBook Air has everything a remote worker needs to flex while they work.

Will your pocket feel the hit? But will the MacBook Air serve you well?

More than you could possibly imagine! You’ll never go back once you switch from Windows to MacOS (speaking from my experience)! Also, my M1 MacBook Air still serves me well into my 3rd year of using it. 

Key Specifications
Display: 2560×1664 LED-Backlit with IPS Technology (13.6 Inches)
CPU: 8-Core Apple M2 Chip
RAM: 16 GB
Graphics: Apple M2
Storage: 1 TB (SSD)
Weight: 2.70lbs
Dell XPS 13
Picture: Dell

#2 – Dell XPS 13

If the MacBook Air is the standout macOS laptop for remote work, the Dell XPS 13 is undoubtedly the best Windows laptop for working from home.

Dell is the go-to brand when looking for a business computer. So, most times, it gets overlooked when people are shopping for an excellent work-from-home laptop.

But with a compact build, powerful processor, and a battery life that can easily carry through a day’s work, you can’t ignore the XPS 13. The sleek part is you can always interchange between a full-spec laptop and tablet since it’s a 2-in-1 laptop.

For those out for a remote new-generation Windows laptop for the long haul, this device suits your needs to a T.

Key Specifications
Display: 1920×1200 FHD+ Anti-Glare 500 Nit (13.4 Inches)
CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7
RAM: 32 GB (LPDDR5)
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
Storage: 1 TB (SSD)
Weight: 2.80lbs
Acer Swift 3
Picture: Acer

#3 – Acer Swift 3

We said the laptops in this category are the go-to devices when money is no object. But Economic 101 teaches us that where you can get top value at a lower cost, you should consider going for the kill.

After extensively reviewing the Acer Swift 3, we concluded that it’s the MacBook Air without all the bells and whistles. And the heavy price tag, of course.

It even beats out that top-tier laptop regarding its screen-to-body ratio (85%).

Those focusing on security and privacy will also want to listen to what this laptop is saying. It comes with a sensitive fingerprint reader. That’s the best lock-and-key for any electronic device these days.

The Acer Swift 3 is the laptop you want to buy to get the best while paying the least!

Key Specifications
Display: 1920×1080 Full HD IPS Display (14 Inches)
CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7
RAM: 16 GB (LPDDR4)
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
Storage: 1 TB SSD (SSD)
Weight: 2.65lbs
MacBook Pro (M3)
Picture: Apple.com

#4 – MacBook Pro (M3)

And just like that, we’re back to laptop devices you must pay a pretty dime to own. But again, we promise you this gadget is absolutely worth it.

The MacBook Pro M3 comes in two sizes (14 and 16 inches). It also offers you four different processor types to choose from. This alone tells you that this device gives professionals one of the most precious things in life: the gift of choice.

It tops that offering by assuring you of a minimum 16-hour battery life on average, regardless of which device you opt for. Apple is famous the world over for the quality of its screen and visuals. This best laptop for working remotely from home builds on that legacy quite nicely.

It has a graceful yet durable build, too, so it’ll work great whether you’re a stay-at-home remote worker or an adventurous digital nomad.

Key Specifications
Display: 14.2-inch (diagonal) Liquid Retina XDR display; 3024-by-1964 native resolution at 254 pixels per inch
CPU: 8-Core Apple M3 Chip
RAM: Up to 2 GB
Graphics: Apple M3
Storage: 512GB or 1TB SSD
Weight: 3.40lbs
Microsoft Surface Book 3_ Microsoft
Picture: Microsoft

#5 – Microsoft Surface Book 3

Still, to offer pros the best laptop for remote work that affords you maximum choice, we present you with the Microsoft Surface Book 3.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a device that can work perfectly and seamlessly as a laptop, tablet, and drawing studio!

This device also comes with a lengthy battery life, a durable build, and PixelSense tech’s latest innovations.

Working from home is the ultimate form of adaptability and flexibility, and the Microsoft Surface Book 3 epitomizes these ideals almost flawlessly.

Fair warning: This device will cost more than the MacBook Air. But, it remains an excellent get for those who want to be more than a regular remote professional.

Key Specifications
Display: 3000×2000 P PixelSense™ Display (13.5 and 15 Inches)
CPU: Intel Core i5-1035G7 and Intel Core i7-1065G7
RAM: Up to 32 GB ()
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
Storage: Up to 2TB (SSD)
Weight: 4.20lbs
Samsung Galaxy Book S
Picture: Samsung

#6 – Samsung Galaxy Book S

This gadget comes in two sizes and is of the usual fantastic quality. But that’s where all similarities with its predecessors end.

The Samsung Galaxy Book S has two strengths. The first is its astonishing 21-hour battery life. Again, this will be fine for remote workers; they only move around a little. But for a digital nomad, it can be what makes the difference between whether or not a project is completed on schedule.

The second noteworthy thing about this laptop is its impressive Wi-Fi connectivity. No device on our list downloads and uploads files faster than the Samsung Galaxy Book S.

So, if a fast Internet connection and a strong battery life are at the top of your work-from-home laptop requirements list, you’ve just found the perfect technological beast!

Key Specifications
Display: FHD TFT (13.3 Inches)
CPU: Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon
RAM: 8 GB (LPDDR4X)
Graphics: Adreno 680
Storage: 256 GB (SSD)
Weight: 2.12lbs
HP Pavilion 15
Picture: Hewlett-Packard

#7 – HP Pavilion 15

Another substantial challenge for the best Windows laptop for working from home this year is the HP Pavilion 15, which is exemplary on every level.

With a large screen size, amazing graphics, and visuals, courtesy of its Nvidia GeForce 940MX graphics card and a whopping storage space (still readily expandable), this best laptop for remote workers just takes the cake.

It also offers excellent sound quality as well. It is the best option for professionals who hop on many virtual meetings. This also enhances your experience when using the device for entertainment.

The one thing we would’ve improved about this all-around great device is its chassis rigidity. While it’s certainly not bad, it could’ve been much better, considering the device’s price.

Without itemizing, the HP Pavilion 15 remains a tremendous work-from-home laptop.

Key Specifications
Display: 1920×1080 IPS Display (15.6 Inches)
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 4700U
RAM: 16 GB (LPDDR4)
Graphics: AMD Radeon
Storage: 512 GB (SSD)
Weight: 3.90lbs
Xiaomi RedmiBook 15_ Mi.com
Picture: Mi.com

#8 – Xiaomi RedmiBook 15

Looking for an ultra-portable device that gives you fantastic multi-tasking capabilities?

The Xiaomi RedmiBook is the device you didn’t know you needed!

Everything from the laptop’s build to its keyboard is solid and gives you little to complain about. Boasting a 10-hour+ battery life, you’ll be able to get a lot done with this device before you have to start scrambling for the power brick.

Sadly, this work-from-home laptop features just 1 HDMI port and 3 USB ports. So, it isn’t ideal for you if you need multiple ports.

However, its high affordability compensates for that!

Key Specifications
Display: FHD Anti-Glare Display with DC Dimming (15.6 Inches)
CPU: Intel Core i5
RAM: 8 GB
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
Storage: 512 GB (SSD)
Weight: 4.00lbs

Does the Best Laptop For Remote Work Exist?

Choosing the best laptop for remote work is like picking your virtual arms and feet. As such, you can’t afford to select any device on a whim.

Beyond considering your pocket, you must consider other factors like the device’s build, processor, keyboard tactile quality, RAM, and storage capacity. There’s also the laptop’s display quality and battery life to consider.

Achieving the right level of balance across this mix of work-from-home laptop requirements takes work. This post has helped make your search for the perfect remote laptop much more effortless.

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