Hundreds of laptops are released each and every year, but the lines are blurring between everyday devices and those specifically designed for business. That's especially true during the pandemic, with many tasks usually reserved for the office desktop needing to be done from home.
Dedicated business laptops aren't always the best choice, but that makes your decision on which to go for more complicated. Whether running a small independent business or choosing a laptop that will play nice with a large enterprise network, there are certain features, specs and design traits to look out for.
You might be buying for yourself to run your startup in your rented workspace, or you could be here looking for something to kit out all your employees with. You might even be looking for a device that can be bought in bulk for thousands of people.
Here are the best laptops for business in 2022. Each entry links out to a full review with more information on price, design, features, specs, battery life and software. They are ranked, but that doesn't mean the #1 laptop here is right for your specific budget, taste and needs. We can easily recommend all the models listed, but make sure you're fully aware of what the device can do before taking the plunge.
1. LG Gram 17
- Stunning large display
- Thin and lightweight
- Superb performance
Cons
- Expensive
- Software tweaks not for everyone
$1,799
For many business tasks, a regular laptop display simply won't cut it - you need something with extra screen real estate.
With that in mind, allow us to introduce you to the LG Gram 17. It represents the pinnacle of laptop design right now, offering a huge 17in (2560x1600) display within a chassis that's just 17.8mm thick and 1.35kg in weight.
It's powered by the latest Intel Tiger Lake processors, as well as up to 16GB of RAM and a bumper 1TB SSD on high-end models. If that's not enough, you also get stellar battery life from the 80Wh cell.
The below-par trackpad and speakers - our two biggest complaints about the 2020 model - have also both been addressed by LG, making this the best big-screened laptop you can buy.
If you're looking for something slightly smaller, the LG Gram 16 is also an excellent option.
Read our full LG gram 17 (2021) review
2. Huawei MateBook 14s
- Powerful with lots of ports
- Great keyboard
Cons
- Unavailable in the US
The MateBook 14s is the best laptop you can buy right now, making it an easy recommendation for business users.
It's one of the few consumer laptops to have a 90Hz display, making everything on the 14.2in, 2560x1680 display feel more fluid and responsive. It works in tandem with Intel's 11th-gen chips - you get a choice of i5 or i7 here - for excellent performance, even without a discrete GPU.
The keyboard is also one of the best you'll find anywhere, and Huawei has even returned the webcam to its rightful place above the display. You also get all-day battery life (for most tasks) and quad speakers, all within an 1.43kg chassis. If you don't need the extra screen real estate of the LG Gram devices, this is the next best thing for on-the-go business.
Read our full Huawei MateBook 14s (2021) review
3. Apple MacBook Air (M1)
- Fantastic performance
- Great battery life
- Useful pre-installed software
Cons
- Sub-par webcam
- Limited port selection
From $999
The release of the M1 chip has transformed the MacBook Air from a solid everyday device to one of the most powerful laptops you can buy.
Compared to the Intel version, Apple's new processor delivers incredible improvements to performance and power efficiency, with the latter delivering a big boost to battery life.
Much of the rest of the device is unchanged, although you do get the much-improved Magic Keyboard.
You also shouldn't overlook the wide range of software that's either pre-installed or free to download on macOS - everything from Pages and Keynote to GarageBand and iMovie are included at no extra cost. This may avoid the need to spend extra on software.
Be warned though, the webcam and port selection still isn't great, while you're limited to just one external display.
Read our full Apple MacBook Air (2020) M1 review
4. Acer Swift 5
- Incredibly lightweight
- Great performance and battery life
- Attractive design and display
Cons
- Can run hot and noisy
- Speakers aren't great
$1299
If you ever need to carry out important business on-the-go, the problems of a heavy laptop will be all too familiar. The Acer Swift 5 emphatically solves this, weighing in at just 1.05kg, without sacrificing performance.
It features Intel's 11th-gen processors (i5 or i7), alongside 8/16GB RAM and a 512GB/1TB SSD. These high-end models are also where you'll find the option for Nvidia's MX350 discrete GPU. Battery life is also a real highlight, comfortably lasting a full working day on a single charge.
Acer has also managed to fit a 14in, Full HD touchscreen within an impressively thin chassis, while you also get a decent port selection and 720p webcam. It's an excellent option for business.
You may also be interested in the 2021 version of the Swift 5.
Read our full Acer Swift 5 (SF514-55T) review
5. Huawei MateBook X Pro
Pros
- Great performance
- Stunning design
- Solid battery life
Cons
- Slightly tired design
- Poor webcam placement
From €1499 (about $1600)
Huawei has once again made an extremely luxurious laptop which will suit business users who want just about everything to be high-end.
The design is especially attractive so the X Pro is a great choice if you want to make a statement when you get it out of your bag at a meeting.
There's plenty of power on offer too with up to an Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, Nvidia MX250 graphics and 1TB storage. We're also in love with the keyboard, although the webcam is awkwardly placed here so this isn't a good choice if you need to make regular video calls.
Read our full Huawei MateBook X Pro (2020) review
6. Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360
- Impressive performance
- Great battery life
- S-Pen stylus support
Cons
- Relatively expensive
- No dedicated GPU
- Display lacks brightness
From $1,399.99 (Wi-Fi only)
The Galaxy Book Pro 360 is the best 2-in-1 laptop you can buy, but it's equally adept at being used for business.
As the name suggests, the device has a 360-degree hinge, meaning it can be used at an angle to suit your workflow. Powerful 11th-gen Intel chips deliver great performance, while battery life is a highlight thanks to the 68Wh cell.
The included S-Pen attaches magnetically to the back of the device, allowing for easy note-taking and digital artwork. A Full HD AMOLED display is also impressive, although it doesn't get particularly bright.
It would also be great to have a dedicated GPU, especially at this premium price point. Still, this is definitely worth considering unless you need a business laptops for the most demanding tasks.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 (2021) review
7. Microsoft Surface Pro 7+
- Solid performance
- Lightweight and versatile
- Great range of accessories
Cons
- Dated design
- Can get expensive
From $899.99 | Model reviewed $1,499.99
The Surface Pro 7+ is specifically aimed at business and education customers, making it a great option for on-the-go productivity.
It's now powered by Intel's 11th-gen processors, alongside Iris Xe graphics and up to 32GB of RAM. As you might expect, the performance is excellent. High-end configurations also offer 1TB of storage, but you probably won't need that much - the Pro 7+ has a removable SSD.
Other business-friendly upgrades include 4G LTE connectivity on selected models and much-improved battery life.
Microsoft's persistence with a dated design won't be much of an issue here, although it can get expensive. The starting price is significantly higher, while you'll need to buy a Type Cover to make the most of it.
Read our full Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ review
8. Dell XPS 13 (late 2020)
- Great performance
- Excellent keyboard
- Improved thermal management
Cons
- Expensive
- Not many ports
From $999 | Model reviewed $1,499
Dell has its Latitude business range, but the XPS should be considered too with the XPS 13 being one of the best laptops around for many years.
The 9310 is the second model for 2020, introducing 11th-gen Intel Tiger Lake processors and improved thermals. It's still not perfect but a decent upgrade in this department.
It's really a spec refresh so the XPS 13 still has a stunning display (now 16:10), best-in-class keyboard and various design improvements. However, the price is a little steep and ports are limited.
If you're looking for something slightly different, Dell's XPS 13 Plus for 2022 introduces several new features.
Read our full Dell XPS 13 9310 (late 2020) review
9. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
- Solid performance
- Great display
- Impressive battery life
Cons
- Dated design
- Loud fans
- Prices climb quickly
From $999.99 (13.5in) | From $1,299.99 (15in)
The Surface Book line might be the obvious choice when it comes to a business laptop but we think the Surface Laptop 4 is better for most people.
This latest model has only minor upgrades over its predecessor, but a choice of capable Intel or AMD chips and a useful boost in battery life will be enough for newcomers to choose it over the Surface Laptop 3.
You can choose between 13.5in and 15in models once again, with both benefitting from an excellent touchscreen display. The premium experience is topped off by a smooth Alcantara fabric on some 13.5in models.
However, this is very much a cautious upgrade from Microsoft. We're still waiting for an updated design, so you'll have to make do with the sizeable bezels. An annoying fan also kicks in regularly, and it quickly gets expensive if you want a lot of power.
Like all the PCs in this list, it's eligible for a free upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11. All that makes it an impressive all-round laptop, albeit with few standout features.
Read our full Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 review
10. Asus ZenBook Flip S
- Stunning 4K OLED display
- 2-in-1 functionality
- Lightweight design
Cons
- Slim chassis limits performance
- No fingerprint sensor
$1,549
If display and portability are your top priorities, the ZenBook Flip S is a great option.
It comes with a gorgeous 13.3in 4K OLED panel, one of the very best on the market, while coming in at just 13.9mm thick and 1.2kg in weight. There's also Thunderbolt 4 support and 1TB of SSD storage.
That slim chassis counts against it, though - the performance from Intel's 11th-gen chip is noticeably limited as a result. You also miss out on a headphone jack and fingerprint sensor.
Nonetheless, the Flip S is a powerful, premium device that's worth considering.
Read our full Asus ZenBook Flip S UX371 review
11. HP Chromebook x360 14c
- Impressive performance
- Premium design and display
- Great audio
- Reflective display
- Chrome OS doesn't run all apps
$519.99
We've come to associate Chrome OS with budget devices that are only suitable for basic use, but that's not the case here.
HP's Chromebook x360 14c is a convertible which packs a punch, benefitting from great performance despite its i3 processor. That's helped by 8GB of RAM and the simplicity of Chrome OS, which makes for an extremely fast and responsive experience.
The attractive 14in Full HD touchscreen is another highlight, although it is very reflective in bright environments. You also get the extra functionality from a 360-degree hinge, perfect for when you're limited on space.
There's also great audio and a decent range of ports. Just make sure Chrome OS offers everything you need before purchasing.
Read our full HP Chromebook x360 14c review
Business laptop buying guide
So which laptop is going to please everyone? It won’t be the same one for every situation (if only it were that simple). Once you’ve decided if your style of business suits Windows, ChromeOS or macOS then you can set about choosing the model.
You'll also want to consider whether these laptops come with Windows 10 Pro as standard. It's easy to upgrade from Windows 10 Home, and this will also ensure you get Windows 11 Pro without any extra hassle.
Price is a factor, of course. Some high-end laptops are indeed excellent but you may want to save some money while still getting decent performance. Thankfully those laptops do exist and that's why a Chromebook might be a great choice, especially if your needs aren't demanding.
Some of the laptops in this list are higher priced, but they often represent good value considering the features and specifications they have. We've included a range of different prices and options.
Robust build could be important if you work in the field, or you might want something featherweight to carry from meeting to meeting around the globe. Then features such as fingerprint readers for additional security or long-lasting battery life might be top of your must-have list.
It's important to make sure the laptop you choose has the right specs for your line of work. Do you need a powerful processor and graphics card for demanding software or can you save money by getting something lower-end?
Also, make sure the display will suit your environment. Someone working outside will need to make sure the screen is bright enough to view.
Ports are often forgotten about, but a laptop is no good if you can't plug a vital accessory in. Many laptops come with USB-C only now, so you might need an adapter or a hub.
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