The search for the best laptop to buy for home use is a difficult one. Hundreds of different brands and options are available on the market today. A little bit of anxiety or perplexity is to be expected. It doesn’t help that there’s such a huge variation in price and features between Windows and Mac devices. In other words, you need to be a true tech nerd to know exactly which laptop deals to buy in a heartbeat.
In addition, more and more people are doing their jobs remotely, often from their own homes. Of course, dependable laptops for use in the home office are a must for this purpose. So, how does one choose the most suitable laptop for remote work?
There’s no need to feel guilty if you aren’t keeping up with the latest tech news on a daily basis. Simply put, in this article, we present a collection of the best laptop to buy for home use. If you want to make a sound choice, you can discover all the information and technical specs you need here.
List of the Best Laptop to Buy for Home Use
Any laptop that receives four or more stars in our reviews. Our list of the best laptop to buy for home use will include those that give people what they want most. The ratings are based on a number of criteria, including ease of use, build quality, screen clarity, responsiveness, speed, battery life, and overall cost. The following are the best laptops to buy for home use that are good to buy today.
OUR TOP PICK
Product Name: Dell XPS 13 OLED
Product Description: When the most advanced display technology meets the world's finest laptop, you get the Dell XPS 13 OLED. When you put them together, you get a near-magical ultraportable device that can do just about everything. Providing a cinema-quality viewing experience is a fantastic resource that deserves your attention. The speedy performance, eye-catching appearance, and excellent touchpad are all here. It's just like they are on every other XPS configuration we've tried. With its high resolution and bright colors, the new XPS 13's OLED screen is perfect for watching movies online. It would also be a good bet for working on professional video editing projects and content creation.
Availability: InStock
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Screen Quality
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Touch Screen
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Battery Life
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Camera Quality
Overall
Summary
Should we make this compromise for shorter battery life? Yes, if a high-resolution screen is required. While the 4K IPS configuration lasted longer in our battery test, the 3.5K OLED display’s greater color gamut won us over. The XPS 13 is a little laptop that packs a punch thanks to its Intel Core i7-1185G7 processor and 16GB of RAM.
Pros
- Remarkable 3.5K OLED screen resolution
- Exceptionally slim and eye-catching design
- Rapid operation
Cons
- With OLED, battery life suffers
- Unavailable ports
- With no webcam shutter
RUNNERS-UP
★ Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2)
Apple’s continued success with its investments in custom silicon is a good sign for its next step in the computer industry. The 8-core CPU in M2 increases its power by 18% compared to its predecessor. A new 10-core GPU, 35% faster than its predecessor, is also included with M2.
Indeed, M2’s Windows PC is still in use. Apple has also improved the laptop’s battery life to 18 hours. It works well and has the longest battery life of any Mac I’ve ever used.
Apple Silicon also lets Ventura have a website that loads faster and a webcam that works better. In a nutshell, Apple’s new MacBook Pro meets or exceeds one’s expectations.
PROS | CONS |
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High-quality battery life | Boring, unchanging layout |
Lovely redesign | A shortage of ports |
Effectiveness in performance |
★ Acer Swift 5
We were astonished by Acer’s Swift 5 this year. Its blazing speed is what earned it a 4.5/5 rating and the Editor’s Choice badge. Its lightning-fast SSD, lightning-fast video transcoding speeds, and lightning-fast file transfer speeds blew away the competition.
Simply put, the Swift 5’s Intel Core i7-1260P processor makes it as quick as the Roadrunner. During our in-house testing, its battery life lasted for more than 11 hours, which is also quite good. You can’t go wrong with the Swift 5 if you want a lightning-fast cheap laptop for less than $1,500.
There will no longer be any pauses, delays, or slowdowns. The Swift 5 is one of the greatest laptops of the year, and the only real complaint we have is that its speakers aren’t loud enough.
PROS | CONS |
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Superiority to the competition | Speaker volume might be increased |
Video encoding and decoding in a flash | |
Quick data transfer speeds | |
SSD with incredible speeds |
★ MacBook Air M2
To say the next round of the MacBook Air’s narrative is compelling would be an understatement. The laptop no longer has the traditional wedge shape. Instead, it has a more angular look, like the MacBook Pro. The Air, however, lives up to its name by being 20% more compact than its forerunner.
There are also some stylish new color options available to you. Apple has also included a 1080p webcam, upgraded speakers, and a larger screen size. However, Apple’s M2 CPU is the real deal when it comes to ultraportable laptop performance.
It’s a great option for those in need of a super-light workhorse due to its increased speed and power over its predecessor. Our battery test lasted for more than 14 hours and could be charged quickly. It’s the ideal combination of portability and performance, being perfect for both professional and personal use.
PROS | CONS |
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Lovely redesign | Minimal in that it just has two inputs |
Effectiveness in performance | Slower SSD compared to the M1 Air |
High-quality battery life |
★ HP Envy 13
The HP Envy 13 is still the best budget laptop and has been for a long time. The new model of this laptop has all the great features of the older or other models, such as the HP Spectre. The sophisticated look, a surprising amount of processing power, and long battery life.
Upgrades include 11th-generation Intel processors with the built-in graphics card. Every other part of the Envy 13 has been made better or stayed the same since the last model. The 1080p monitor is brilliant and vibrant, and the keyboard is great.
You still have Thunderbolt 4 and two USB Type-A connectors. HP improved upon a notebook that had a few flaws, to begin with by fixing nearly all of them with the new Envy 13.
The addition of an Intel 11th-generation processor has enhanced a successful concept. The Envy 13’s battery life was nearly 11 hours. Our Core i5 model performed admirably in true and benchmark tests.
PROS | CONS |
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Brilliant and colorful screen | Mechanical plastic button/pad |
Rapid Core i5 Central Processing Unit | There is no infrared camera selection |
The battery life is almost 11 hours |
★ Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360
If you are looking for a laptop that can be used as a tablet as well as a conventional computer, the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 is your best option. When reviewing the Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360, we were blown away by its incredible portability and battery life (about 12 hours).
Those who prefer streaming apps on their laptops will love the Galaxy version of a vibrant, brilliant, and vivid display. Plus, you won’t need to shell out extra cash for a stylus. It has the popular S Pen, so you may draw, write, and take notes as much as your heart desires.
PROS | CONS |
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Beautiful, easily transportable layout | False S-Pen silo |
Excellent work | |
Brilliant Super AMOLED display | |
Contain an S-Pen |
★ Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (9th Gen)
Lenovo’s 9th generation premium business laptop has Intel processors from the 11th generation. Also, it can run for 15 hours on a single charge. The device has powerful quad speakers and a 14-inch screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio.
A ton of connections in a body that weighs only 2.5 pounds. The X1 Carbon succeeds because it has the same tried-and-true ThinkPad qualities that have made previous models so successful. A rugged chassis (tested to MIL-STD-810G standards of durability).
The greatest keyboard in its class, and has an understated black and red color scheme. We agree that the ThinkPad X1 Carbon could have benefited from a higher-quality webcam and that the SD card slot should not have been removed. Even if it’s difficult to find a better corporate laptop, the most expensive options can get very expensive.
PROS | CONS |
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Slender and light-weight construction | Weak 720p webcam |
Excellent 14-inch 16:10 Full HD+ screen | With no card slot |
Superior to other keyboards in its class | |
Superb four-channel audio system | |
Superb runtime between charges |
Which Laptop Should I Get? Things to Consider
Selecting the finest laptop within your budget can feel like wading through a minefield with so many options. Understanding the ever-evolving list of product requirements is a challenge in and of itself.
There are numerous laptops available, and the benefits and drawbacks of each are different. It’s not helped by the fact that one person’s laptop requirements could be quite different from another’s. So that you can better focus your efforts, we’ve outlined various key features to keep an eye out for.
Exploring each subheading may seem like a lot of work, but there are actually quite a few factors to think about. In the end, doing research on your new computer can keep you from making a costly mistake and help you buy the best laptop.
✔ Size & Form-Factor
The ideal size for your next laptop will depend on how you want to use it. Unlike a laptop’s RAM or ROM, storage space cannot be expanded once it has been used. You’ll be stuck with the initial form factor choice, so it’s best to think carefully about it.
The typical width of a laptop is between 11.6 and 17.3 inches. Most manufacturers and retailers, including HP, Dell, ASUS, and Acer, stock laptops with displays measuring 13.3 inches, 15.6 inches, and 17.3 inches. The most common sizes for laptops are 12, 13, and 14 inches, however, some retailers offer models with even smaller screens than big screen.
Obviously, a smaller Windows laptop will be the better choice if portability is a key concern. In comparison to their larger counterparts, they are typically leaner and lighter. Try to choose laptops with 12.5-inch or 13.3-inch screens, and no more than 1 kilogram or 1.5 kilograms in total weight.
✔ Display Quality
To begin, you should think about whether or not you want a touchscreen laptop on your next purchase. Touchscreen devices are already commonplace and useful for many uses. This function may come standard on some products. Many others, though, would ask that you pay a little premium to have it included.
Touchscreens are great, but they can make your screen more reflective than it otherwise would be. Although touch-screen displays are not always affected by this, panels with a higher gloss level can be more susceptible to glare.
This might be annoying when playing games, watching videos, or editing photos and movies. Even while advances in technology have made modern touch screens vastly superior to their forebears, many of the aforementioned problems are still present. Those who are more comfortable typing on a traditional keyboard may wish to look into laptops that don’t have touchscreens.
✔ Keyboard Quality
You should look for a laptop with a good keyboard if you plan on spending a lot of time typing. If you have to dig around for individual keys like the arrow or cancel keys, it can take away from the user experience as a whole. So it’s best to avoid buying a keyboard that crams in as many as possible.
You should additionally backlight the keyboard. That may seem like a minor thing, but lighted keys really help while you’re typing in a dark room. RGB key backlighting is available on the Asus ROG Zephyrus S17.
Moreover, the MSI Katana GF76 is for gaming laptops used at night or in low-light environments. Keep in mind that the battery life of your laptop will decrease faster if you choose lighted keys.
✔ CPU
Any laptop with an Intel Core processor is a good choice. An Intel Core processor excels at multitasking and multimedia performance, making it a popular choice for many people.
Laptops with a Core i3 processor tend to be cheaper, entry-level systems tend to have a Core i5 or Core i7 processor. Good thing is that most mainstream systems have both.
Those looking for the most speed out of their portable computer should look towards Core i7-based PCs. Keep in mind, though, that if your laptop is powered by a Core i7 processor. You may experience some discomfort from the heat that radiates from its base if you want to use it primarily in laptop mode.
✔ RAM
Today, 8 GB is a reasonable minimum requirement. 16GB is the optimal amount of storage space for heavy users. To get the most out of their games, players should consider increasing their RAM to 32GB or even more. More GB RAM lets more programs run at the same time.
That simplifies things further for the system to get more data. It is good for processing photos and videos. Looking into RAM specifications may lead you to encounter a few intriguing phrases.
Here’s a quick primer on their basic meanings. In addition to the manufacturer and size, RAM sticks will also have the initials DDR printed on them. The majority of the time, a numerical value is included as well.
The MSI GE76 Raider (review) contains two 16GB DDR5 RAM sticks. The “2” in this abbreviation stands for “Double Data Rate,” and then “generation”. After it shows the design of the corresponding component.
✔ Storage
Hard drives used to be all the rage, especially for ultraportable laptops, but now they are mostly out of date. They can be slow, bulky, and noisy, all of which detract from their usefulness. SSDs are faster than hard drives, run silently, and don’t add much to a laptop’s weight and bulk.
SSD storage has so many clear benefits that most laptop makers have made it the standard. For those who are looking to upgrade their portable computer, I highly recommend going with one that has a Gb SSD. It is because of how rapidly it will allow you to access your data and apps.
✔ Battery Life
There is a large disconnect between what manufacturers claim and what users really feel when using laptops. Too many factors influence how long a battery lasts. Controls include those for display intensity, image quality, multitasking, and wireless and wired networking (including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth).
There is some correlation between battery life and the laptop’s operating system. This is why ultrabooks and convertibles that run Chrome OS tend to have longer battery lives than those that run Windows 11.
✔ USB Type-C
If a laptop doesn’t include at least one USB Type-C connector, it’s time to search elsewhere. Pick a laptop with at least two of these ports if possible. While you can probably find an adapter for everything you need on Amazon. Your best bet is to simply make sure your future laptop has one of these ports built in.
USB Type-C connectors are noticeably faster than USB 2.0 and 3.0 connections. This is because they let you connect an external hard drive or SSD for data backup or a standard mouse and keyboard to your laptop. That means that using a USB Type-C port to transfer data now takes a lot less time than it used to.
✔ Biometric Security
With Windows Hello, a new feature of Windows 11, fingerprint readers can be used in more ways. This makes them perfect for logging into a mobile device. Passwords are easy to guess. But, false fingerprints are difficult to obtain.
Having a fingerprint reader on a portable computer is a great way to ensure the safety of your data while you’re on the go. Today, this feature can be found on almost all laptops made by top companies like ASUS, Dell, and HP.
In certain cases, the fingerprint sensor is built into the keyboard itself. Making it appear not an add-on but rather a necessary component.
✔ Build Quality
Despite our best efforts, the security of our computers cannot be guaranteed. Most of them will eventually be dropped, thrown, or damaged in some other way. That’s why it’s important to research the laptop’s level of testing (the maker will likely brag about it). Also, don’t forget to look for a certification you can rely on.
Ruggedized laptops are common in today’s market, allowing them to survive the elements. There are even those certified to withstand the rigors of a military base that have been designed specifically for use in the classroom. MIL-STD 810G is the most frequently seen of them.
✔ LTE, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet
LTE technology is usually only found in more expensive laptops, so you’ll have to spend more money on one. Just like a cell phone, LTE requires a data plan or the purchase of prepaid data. In this case, how much you enjoy it will depend on things like how much bandwidth your laptop has and how much data you have.
Learn which LTE networks your laptop can connect to, as this can affect your connection speeds. In Australia, 4G network connectivity is built into laptops that use LTE technology. The fastest you can download with 4G is 1 gigabit per second, which is about the same speed as most home internet connections.
However, 5G laptops are on their way to Australia. When they become available, these portable computers will boast speeds of 10-30Gbs. Choose 5G if lightning-fast connectivity is essential.
✔ Wi-Fi Speed
Although there are a number of elements that affect how quickly data can be transferred over Wi-Fi, the speed of your laptop’s network card is the most important consideration when shopping for a new computer.
The link speed of a laptop is measured in bits per second (bps). This is the rate at which data can be sent between the laptop and an internet router. Even though your internet is fast, a slow link will slow your Wi-Fi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which factors should be considered before buying a laptop for remote work?
Three things to remember In this case, we’re talking about the screen, the speed, and the WiFi capabilities of the monitor. If you spend a lot of time at your computer, you should invest in a high-quality monitor. A high-powered laptop gives you the flexibility to juggle many tasks at once. Furthermore, the speed of your access to wireless networks is another benefit of investing in a high-quality WiFi card.
Q: What kind of central processing unit should people try to find in laptops if they plan on doing a lot of remote work?
Good processors are a must if you want to do a lot of different things at once and deal with a lot of data. Laptops with an Intel Core i5 processor are adequate, but the i7 is the way to go if you have the cash. However, the Intel i3 can be an acceptable substitute for those on a smaller spending plan. If you only need a laptop for simple tasks like checking email and using web apps, then this CPU should suffice.
Q: How much money does one have to put down before getting a good laptop?
Depending on the features and brand, a high-quality laptop might cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000. What you deem to be “good” will also influence how much you spend. Let’s say, just to make a point, that you enjoy using speedy personal computers.
A sluggish computer could be intolerable for you. Some people would even suggest that it could cause impatience. When using a lot of programs at once, you need a fast computer and a battery that lasts a long time.
Q: When deciding between a Mac and a PC, which should I buy?
When choosing between Mac and Windows, a lot depends on individual preference. Let’s say you’re an Apple fan who loves iPhones and iPads for their cutting-edge features.
Apple laptops are the best option in this situation. Some Windows laptops are less expensive than Apple models. There’s no denying the high caliber of Apple’s offerings. As always, your personal taste is the deciding factor.
Q: Which operating system, Mac OS or Windows, is superior?
Malware and system crashes are bigger issues for Windows users than for Mac OS users. Although, so the argument goes, business programs will function better on a Windows laptop. It’s possible that Apple products aren’t supported by your company. However, as a user, your preference is typically the deciding factor.
Wrapping Up
If you want to do most of your work from home, which laptop should you get? For people who work from home, we recommend a small, light laptop with a strong Wi-Fi card and a long-lasting battery. If you want a top-notch laptop and you have the cash for it, though, an Apple MacBook Air or Pro is an excellent choice. The Microsoft Surface Laptop is a fantastic Windows laptop and a great alternative to Apple’s MacBook Pro. The Acer brand can be a good option if you’re trying to save money.