12 best laptops for work

*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Many modern professions somehow involve interaction with a computer. And a significant part of them require increased mobility, which is poorly compatible with stationary PCs. In such cases, laptops come to the rescue, which have long been not inferior, other things being equal, to their desktop “brothers”. The editors of Simplerule magazine, based on market research by our subject matter experts, have prepared for you an overview of the best laptops in 2019 for all kinds of work tasks.

Rating of the best laptops for work

The best inexpensive laptops for everyday work

In the first selection, we will consider budget models, the performance of which is sufficient for simple office work – typing, searching for information on the Internet, elementary photo editing, preparing presentations, simple toys during breaks. In this and other parts of the review, we will consider laptops with a diagonal of at least 13 inches in order to draw a conditional boundary between a laptop and a netbook.

Prestige SmartBook 133S

Rating: 4.5

Let’s be the first to present you the most inexpensive laptop in the selection, which, in all modesty, has earned good feedback from users as the best laptop “for business trips”. Indeed, this is a light and compact portable computer, the performance of which is sufficient for everyday ordinary tasks.

With the overall dimensions of the device 318x214x13.8mm, the screen size is 13.3 inches diagonally. Very pleased with such an affordable price, the presence of a high-quality IPS-matrix with the characteristic widest viewing angles of 178 degrees, and also a FullHD resolution of 1920 × 1080. The screen cover is matte. The laptop weighs only 1.39kg. With all the pluses against the background of an affordable price for the development of this model, it was also equipped with metal parts of the case.

The electronic “stuffing” of the laptop is very minimalistic, but for simple office work and its maintenance on business trips, this configuration is quite enough. At the center of everything is the Celeron N3350 processor on two Apollo Lake cores with a frequency of 1.1GHz. The memory is also at the lower functional limit – 3GB DDR3 RAM and the minimum amount of hard drive (solid-state eMMC-type on the M.2 interface) – only 32GB.

The tiny hard drive is the laptop’s only distinct weak point, so it makes sense to replace it with a larger one if necessary. Fortunately, the design of the case allows such a replacement without the need to completely disassemble the device.

In terms of connecting to networks, this model can only work “wirelessly” – through the Wi-Fi module of the 802.11n standard. Devices can be connected via Bluetooth 4.0. Available wired interfaces for peripherals: two USB 3.0 TypeA ports, HDMI output.

Another big plus of this model is impressive autonomy. And without that, not too energy-gluttonous “hardware” is powered by a lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 5000 mAh.

Acer TRAVELMATE P238-M

Rating: 4.5

The second number, let’s consider another portable option for working in conditions of increased mobility – even in the title of the series there is a clear hint of work on the go. This model is already significantly more powerful than the previous one (according to recommended modifications) and, accordingly, more expensive.

The dimensions and weight of the laptop are commensurate with the previous one – 327x228x19.7mm and 1.6kg – weight without packaging. Black plastic case. The screen is exactly the same size as the laptop described above – 13.3 inches diagonally with a matte finish.

The advantage of this model is the possibility of flexible selection of components, up to screen resolution. So, wanting to save money, or being guided by expediency, you can choose a modification with a resolution of HD 1366 × 768, but an option is also available with FullHD 1920 × 1080.

Variations of components are also possible with key electronics, moreover, in a wide range. The laptop can be equipped with Intel processors, starting with the most modest and cheap – Pentium and Core i3, and even ending with i7. For routine work with office programs, even an elementary Pentium will suffice.

The situation with RAM looks very favorable. Standard equipment suggests 4 or 8 GB DDR3L, but the scaling options allow you to equip the laptop up to 16 GB in two slots.

The resource for hard drives is also very flexibly organized. Standard equipment options include either a 500GB mechanical hard drive or a pair of solid-state and mechanical. The second option is preferable, but more expensive, and nothing obliges you to it, only production tasks and / or work style. So, if the work is supposed to be “ragged”, when the laptop is frequently turned on and off (or sleep / hibernation) during the day, then this will significantly affect the durability of the mechanical disk.

In terms of interfaces, this model is slightly richer than the previous one. In any case, there is a built-in wired network card and, accordingly, a standard RJ-45 connector for Ethernet. Despite the wide spread of wireless data transmission technologies, the ability to quickly connect to a wired network without adapters is often critical.

ASUS VivoBook 15 X512

Rating: 4.5

Rounding out the top three best laptops for work in the 2019 review from Simplerule magazine is an interesting laptop, the size and form factor of which make it possible to install a full keyboard with a number pad on the right. This is, in fact, the only fundamental difference between this model and the previous ones, except for the naturally enlarged screen up to 15 inches. The presence of a digital block is critical for representatives of a number of professions, not counting just personal preferences.

With such a screen and keyboard, the dimensions of the laptop can still vary from one modification to another: length 230-357.2mm, width 230-357mm and height 19-20mm. Such a significant variation in housing dimensions should be taken into account when ordering, comparing with the expected conditions of work and transportation. The manufacturer has provided for this model one of the richest selections of body colors on the market – from gray to bright red.

The type of matrix here is “adjustable” – you can choose a cheaper TN or a more expensive and perfect IPS with exactly the same FullHD 1920 × 1080 resolution. The same is true with key electronics. In the top-end configuration, the VivoBook X512 can even become a gaming machine, because the manufacturer offers CPU options from Core i3 to Ryzen 5. But for simple office tasks, i3, maximum i5, will be enough.

The standard memory configuration assumes 4 or 8 GB DDR4 with a frequency of 2400 MHz. There is only one slot for expanding the volume, the maximum expansion potential is 16GB. In addition to the video module built into the processor, if desired, you can equip the laptop with a discrete graphics card to choose from: AMD – Radeon 540X or Vega 3; manufactured by NVIDIA – GeForce MX110/130/250.

With hard drives, a variety of combinations are also acceptable, ranging from a single HDD or SSD to a tandem. Even a minimal version with a 500 GB HDD may be suitable for office-level work, but if high mobility is expected, it is better to reduce the number of mechanical elements to a minimum and install a smaller, but solid-state drive.

The laptop connects to networks via Wi-Fi standard 802.11ac. There is no wired network card. There is also Bluetooth 4.1 or 4.2, depending on the modification. The computer is equipped with a 3650 mAh battery, which is enough for approximately 5 hours of operation without overload.

The best laptops for graphics and video work

Powerful laptops for full-fledged work with resource-intensive graphics deserve a separate big topic, but as part of this review from Simplerule, the specialized specialists of the publication also offered a small selection of the most worthy models available on the market.

Lenovo Ideapad 330

Rating: 4.9

The first model in the selection is comparable in price to the budget laptops described above for simple tasks. But at the same time, its potential is quite sufficient for working in graphic design programs, prepress preparation of magazines and newspapers, even 3D modeling in not too complex projects.

This is a laptop with a large 17-inch screen (17.3, to be exact), dimensions of 418×292.6×24.9mm and a weight of 2.8kg with possible slight variations, depending on the modification. It is even possible to pick up a 15-inch version, but you need to be clearly aware of the loss in the visual component. As for the matrix, here it is worth choosing the top assembly from the proposed ones – IPS with a resolution of FullHD 1920 × 1080.

The second most important component in a laptop for graphics work is performance. Here, the tasks are many times, and even orders of magnitude more complex than in simple office work. From a number of acceptable configuration options, Simplerule experts recommend a processor no lower than Core i5 8250u and only a discrete video card no weaker than NVIDIA GeForce MX150. Any upgrades to key components are welcome if the budget allows.

With RAM and its emulation, the situation is as follows. The maximum amount of RAM that the system can “see” and use is 16GB, the frequency is from 2133 to 2400MHz. In the context of working with RAM graphics, there is never enough, and you should be guided by this when choosing a modification. In addition, there may still be not enough memory, and then the system switches to the RAM emulation mode on the hard disk. In order for the loss in speed to not be too painful, the working system disk must be a new generation carrier – a solid-state SSD, fortunately, they are rapidly becoming cheaper. And for storing the results of work, which are likely to be of an impressive volume, a mechanical HDD with a capacity of up to 2TB is optimal.

Many configurations of the Ideapad 330 laptop model can be equipped with batteries of various capacities. So, in a more budgetary version, battery life without recharging will reach 6 hours, and in a more expensive one – up to 8 hours.

DELL G3 17 3779

Rating: 4.8

The second laptop in this collection already has all the obvious signs of a portable graphics station. DELL has designed this model as a gaming model, but has retained a neutral design, so that the machine will cope with the tasks without any problems, and it will look solid in an office setting.

The configuration recommended by Simplerule experts is with a 17.3-inch screen, body dimensions of 415.4×279.2x25mm and an unpacked weight of 3.27kg. As you can see, the laptop is twice as heavy as the previous one, but it is much more powerful and more expensive to the same extent. It is noteworthy that the developers have demonstrated here the best example of industrial design – for all its massiveness, the laptop looks thin and elegant. With the specified screen size, the maximum resolution of the supplied matrix is ​​FullHD 1920 × 1080. The type of coating can vary – matte or glossy to choose from.

The system of this model is not “sharpened” rigidly for a specific processor. Various modifications can contain both the Core i5 8300H and the powerful Core i7 8750H on six cores with a frequency of up to 2.3GHz. The factory installation of RAM is offered in the amount of 8 or 16 GB. The physical potential for further expansion is up to 32GB. It is not necessary to change completely, you can simply deliver the bar – in total there are two slots for DDR4 memory with a frequency of 2666 MHz. As for the video card, although by definition there is a built-in one, it should not be considered seriously for graphic projects. The recommended option is a discrete GeForce GTX 1050Ti or 1060 with 4 or 6GB of GDDR5 video memory.

As for hard drives, in this case all the same combinations are possible as in the model described above. Simplerule experts recommend a tandem of a high-speed solid-state SSD for the system and programs, and a large-capacity mechanical HDD for saving projects.

With all the good characteristics of this laptop, it contains an offensive flaw, which is very strange, given the initial focus of the laptop on resource-intensive operation. The capacity of the standard battery is only 3500mAh / 56Wh, and this, with the described technical profile, is no more than 4 hours of battery life.

ASUS VivoBook Pro 15 N580GD

Rating: 4.7

The third in the selection of the best laptops that can be used as mobile graphics stations, we analyze the representative of the VivoBook family from ASUS. This model was included by Simplerule magazine analytics specifically for the growing audience of designers, photo artists and video editors who need to regularly encounter the “picture” in ultra-high resolution 4K.

The description of the characteristics should start immediately from the screen. Its size is 15.6 without any alternatives in other modifications of the model. But the resolution of the matrix compensates for the involuntary desire for more – here you get 4K 3840 × 2160, but only in the top modification. Less expensive versions of the same model (N580GD) are equipped with FullHD 1920×1080 matrices, you need to keep this in mind. Matrix technology – naturally, IPS. For serious graphics work, no alternative is viable, except for OLED, which is still raw and too expensive.

The choice is also available with the central processor, and Core i7 can be considered for working with graphics, but no less than i5. The most popular configuration of this model comes with an i7 processor with six Coffee Lake cores at 2.2GHz, a powerful NVIDIA GeForce GTX1050 graphics card with 4GB of video memory and 16GB of DDR4 2400MHz RAM in two slots.

With data drives in this model, a two-way approach is also applied – you can connect a solid-state and / or mechanical hard drive in various combinations. A typical configuration for working with graphics involves up to 256GB solid-state SSD for the system and software, and up to 1TB HDD for storing work and other files.

The connectivity features of the laptop include a built-in gigabit wired network card, 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2. Peripherals can be connected via USB 2.0 (2 pcs), USB 3.0 (including Type-C), HDMI. The standard lithium-polymer battery has a capacity of 47Wh / 3200mAh – this, admittedly, is a very mediocre indicator.

All this equipment is placed in a case measuring 380x256x20.5mm with a metal top. The laptop weighs 1.99kg.

Best compact laptops for work

With the evolution of portable computers in a certain period, the concept of “netbook” was formed. Then these were super-compact laptops with noticeably limited capabilities, up to running a special operating system. Now the term “netbook” is almost forgotten, and miniature laptops are in no way inferior to “large” laptops in general. Their main difference – the minimum size – remains in demand and forms a separate demand.

Irbis NB211

Rating: 4.7

First in the selection, we will consider the most modest in terms of capabilities, but the cheapest and at the same time quite efficient mini-laptop of the Irbis trademark. This is a well-known Russian brand, under which good electronics are supplied to the Russian market at affordable, and even record low prices. Separate model lines from the manufacturing company are especially successful, and the NB211 mini-notebook is one of such examples.

The laptop screen is 11.6 inches diagonally. The dimensions of the entire device are 280.5x194x16mm. Weight is only 1.1kg. The case is plastic, color – black, less common – purple.

The miniature size of the screen in this case did not affect in any way what matrix the developers decided to equip this model with. So, here we have a FullHD resolution of 1920 × 1080, which is already very good, and the matrix technology is IPS, which is generally ideal for such an affordable price.

If you look at the electronic profile of this model, then some concessions are already noticeable here. The laptop is controlled by a budget processor Celeron or Pentium on two cores with a frequency of 1.1GHz. Graphics, of course, integrated – Intel HD Graphics500, 3GB RAM. The hard drive is 32GB eMMC.

The functionality of the mini-laptop is expanded by connecting to networks and other devices. For this, wireless and wired communication modules are used: Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth version 4.0, two USB 3.0 Type A ports, HDMI output, headset input / output.

Another big plus of this laptop is the 4500mAh lithium polymer battery. Not every “large” laptop has a battery of this capacity. In addition to everything, the device also has a relatively good built-in webcam with a resolution of 2 megapixels.

DELL INSPIRON 3180

Rating: 4.7

The second compact laptop in this selection was proposed by Simplerule experts as an alternative to the previous option. This representative of DELL’s famous INSPIRON line has improved performance where the above laptop “sags” and vice versa.

The screen size of this model is exactly the same – 11.6 inches. Dimensions – 292x196x20.8mm, weight – 1.46kg. The body is made of high-quality plastic with a solid assembly and well-designed details.

The matrix and its characteristics in this case are inferior to the above option – HD 1366 × 768 resolution. But on the other hand, such a solution made it possible to equip the device with much more productive elements of key electronics without a dramatic rise in price.

Thus, AMD A9 9420e on two Stoney Ridge cores with a frequency of 1.8 GHz is “assigned” here as the central processor. The RAM is installed in the minimum modification of 4GB, and quite fast – DDR4 with a frequency of 2.4GHz. The memory can be upgraded to 8 GB if desired, but you need to remember that the slot for the straps is the only one. The standard video card is an elementary AMD Radeon R4 or R5.

With a hard drive, in this case, the situation is also much better than that of the considered Irbis – 128GB on non-mechanical media such as SSD or eMMC. The type of media must be specified at the place of purchase, since eMMC suits far from everyone, and by default, a laptop can be equipped with just that.

Communications in this model are built almost exactly the same as in the previous one: for wireless communication – Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0; for peripherals – USB2.0, USB3.1 TypeA, HDMI, headset jack. There is a slot for reading flash memory cards. The capacity of the standard lithium-ion battery is 32Wh.

Apple MacBook Air 13 with Retina display Late 2018

Rating: 4.7

We will conclude this part of the review of the best laptops for work according to Simplerule magazine with a device that will suit only a very limited circle of consumers, but our experts could not ignore this model either.

This laptop is significantly larger diagonally than the previous two, but here everything is decided by thickness and weight. This is a truly impressive achievement for the Cupertinos, and Apple fans will find a way to get a brand new late 2018 MacBook Air anyway, even at such a painful price for many.

The advantages of the MacBook Air are already visible from afar in the truest sense. This, of course, is its dimensions – 304.1 × 212.4 × 15.6mm and an exquisite minimalist design. The screen size is 13.3 inches.

Actually, the screen of this laptop is one of its most attractive places, since Apple has always elevated the picture quality and aesthetics in general to the rank of almost a religion. This model can be equipped with a Retina type matrix (a high-quality variation on the IPS theme) with three maximum resolution options: 1440 × 900, 2560 × 1600 or 2304 × 1440. The finish is glossy.

The model continues to pleasantly surprise at the level of productive electronics. The processor here is the Core i5 8210Y on two Amber Lake-Y cores with a frequency of 1.6GHz. The RAM was initially set to 8GB, but the memory itself can be of a different type in terms of speed – a frequency of 1600 or 2133MHz. The video subsystem is the Intel UHD Graphics 617 module built into the processor. The hard drive is a non-mechanical SSD with a capacity of 128GB.

Communication on this laptop is quite limited, as well as in many other types of “apple” electronics. This cannot even be considered a disadvantage, since such an approach among developers is absolutely conscious and most of the consumers are completely satisfied. So, here we have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 wireless modules, a headset jack and two universal Thunderbolt 3 ports.

The configuration is crowned by a lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 50.3Wh, which, against the backdrop of a generally well-optimized system, is capable of providing autonomy up to 13 hours of continuous operation.

The best convertible laptops for work

In the final selection of our review, our experts presented three candidates for the title of the best convertible laptops for work in 2019. This form factor isn’t essential for day-to-day work needs, but for presentations, sales reps, and any other activity where you need to repeatedly turn a laptop into a tablet, these technological solutions are almost indispensable.

Lenovo Yoga 530-14 Intel

Rating: 4.9

The first to consider is the transformer, which at one time even made a splash on the market, having won the love and recognition of consumers. This is a representative of the Yoga line from Lenovo.

The dimensions of this outwardly elegant and representative laptop are 328x229x17.6mm, weight – 1.6kg. Its notable advantage is the ability to fold and unfold the sashes at almost a round angle. This allows you to make an express presentation, simultaneously entering the necessary data through the keyboard, and, if necessary, using the stylus for effect (included in the package).

The screen of this transformer is relatively large – 14 inches diagonally. It can be equipped with an IPS matrix with different maximum resolutions – HD 1366 × 768 or FullHD 1920 × 1080. Naturally, in this form factor of a laptop, the screen is touch-sensitive with multi-touch support.

Delving into the key electronics of the transformer, we notice an equally worthy level. Depending on the modification, the processor in this model can be either a modest 2-core Pentium or a powerful Core i7 on four Kaby Lake-R cores with a frequency of 2.7GHz. You can also choose intermediate options.

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The minimum standard configuration of RAM here is 4GB, the maximum possible expansion is 16GB. Suitable memory type DDR4 with a frequency of 2133 or 2400 MHz. In addition to a simple graphics subsystem built into the processor, a discrete NVIDIA GeForce MX130 with 2GB of memory is also offered for this model. Hard disk – only solid-state volume of 128 or 256GB on the M.2 interface.

Communication in this model is expectedly minimized. There is a full-fledged wireless unit: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radio modules, as well as USB 3.1 Type-C and HDMI interfaces.

A 4-cell battery with a capacity of 45Wh ensures autonomous operation of the device up to 10 hours.

HP ProBook x360 440 G1

Rating: 4.8

The second transformer in our review is HP’s powerful ProBook. Here we see a more advanced matrix and overall improved performance compared to the previous model.

The screen size of this laptop is similar to the one described above – 14 inches diagonally. The general dimensions of the transformer are 330x232x19.9mm in dimensions and 1.72kg in weight. The design is minimalistic, the assembly and materials are on top. The IPS-matrix definitely pleases with its resolution – FullHD 1920 × 1080. The screen is also touch, multi-touch with a glossy surface.

The configuration recommended by Simplerule experts will help you not only make a spectacular presentation of the project, but also make important changes without worrying about performance. This is facilitated by a powerful processor – Intel Core i7 8550U on four Kaby Lake-R cores with a frequency of 1.8 GHz; 8 GB of DDR4 2.4 GHz RAM (there are two slots for expansion up to 16 GB); and a 256GB high-speed solid-state hard drive. Graphics support here, however, is weak – only the Intel HD / UHD Graphics 620 video subsystem integrated into the processor is available.

Unlike the previous solution, there is even a built-in network card for wired connection to Ethernet networks. Other communications: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless unit (both may be of different versions, this should be specified if necessary); two USB 3.0 ports; one USB 3.1 Type-C; HDMI; headset interface. There is a slot for external memory cards.

The laptop is powered by a 48Wh lithium-ion battery. In combination with a well-optimized “iron” part of the device, this gives up to 13 hours of operation without recharging.

ASUS ZenBook Flip 14 UX461FA

Rating: 4.7

We conclude our review of the best laptops for work in 2019 according to Simplerule magazine with a representative of the iconic ZenBook series of laptops from ASUS. The series became a landmark almost immediately after the release. The company has managed to come close to the outstanding combination of performance and impeccable style that Apple is rightly proud of.

The dimensions of the ultrabook transformer are 327x226x13.9mm, net weight is 1.4kg. The screen size is 14 inches. The metal case with a slim and elegant design serves as a kind of hallmark of the entire series. Resolution IPS-matrix – FullHD 1920 × 1080. The screen is touch-sensitive, supports multi-touch, the coating is glossy.

The central computing module is a powerful Intel Core i7 8565U processor on four Whiskey Lake cores with a frequency of 1.8 GHz. 8GB of RAM is provided, and it can be of different types: DDR3, DDR3L, LPDDR3 and up to DDR4 with an operating frequency of 2133MHz. The hard drive is twice as large as the previous model – 512GB, but modifications are also available with a different capacity. Graphics standard – Intel UHD Graphics 620.

Communications here are organized a little differently than in the previous version. The developers decided to abandon the wired network card, assigning all network tasks to the Wi-Fi module. Bluetooth is also available, and optionally the module can be the latest version 5.0 with all its advantages. To connect devices, there are two USB 3.1 Type A ports, one USB 3.1 Type-C. A large monitor, TV or panel can be connected via HDMI.

Finally, what else pleases this transformer is its autonomy. The general frugality of the electronics and the 57Wh battery can, under certain conditions, keep a laptop running all day without recharging. Resource-intensive applications, of course, reduce this figure.

Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.