Unlike desktop computers, laptops are designed with portability in mind which can be very useful when you run a small business from home. Laptops come in a wide range of different designs and types, including business laptops.
Business laptops tend to be designed in a way that optimises performance. They are durable, robust, easy to carry around, and capable of lasting an entire workday. The right business laptop needs to be efficient when you are carrying out prolonged work, and very functional when taking on heavy workloads. Clearly, getting the right laptop for your home business is an important decision to make, and with hundreds of models available to choose from, figuring out the best option for your needs and requirements is not always going to be easy. So, what should you look for?
Business Laptops vs Consumer Laptops
As you probably know if you are looking for a laptop, there are many different types available. You’ll find basic laptops, gaming laptops, 2-in-1 laptops, ultrabooks, and laptops that are designed for business use. Each type comes with different features, specifications, configurations, and processing power. A basic laptop is usually designed to have a range of versatile features for different tasks, while a laptop designed for gaming will usually have features that you wouldn’t find on other types of laptop like an additional graphics card.
When it comes to choosing a laptop for business use, depending on the type of work that you plan to conduct on it, you will need a device that is designed to boost workflow and productivity. You should also choose a laptop that is designed to be robust enough to handle being used for prolonged periods each working day. You may find what you are looking for with these business laptop deals.
Operating System
One of the main considerations to make when choosing a laptop for your business is the operating system. The right one for you will depend on what you are planning to use your laptop for and any other devices that you use. The OS is the key function of any laptop and the three main types that you will probably be choosing from include:
- Windows: This is the most popular operating system and comes with a range of advanced features, including laptops that offer fingerprint readers and dual graphics chips. It provides a wide range of apps along with client-based services like Steam and Origin. It is available on a wider range of laptop brands compared to other operating systems.
- macOS: This is the operating system of Apple Mac, and will be what you’re using if you want to get a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro as your business laptop. It allows you to perform tasks that you cannot do on other operating systems and has more user-friendly features in comparison to Windows, including FaceTime, messages and notes. If you use other Apple products like an iPad or an iPhone for your business, the syncing is second-to-none making it an ideal choice for improved efficiency.
- Chrome OS: This Google-based OS is a little different from the others. It is mostly web-based, so unlike Windows and macOS, you need to be connected to the internet in order for it to run. Most laptops running this OS are on the cheaper end of the price scale, but it does offer some good features including default security and a fast boot-up.
Specifications
When looking for the ideal laptop to use for running your home business, there are some specifications that are definitely crucial to consider to ensure that you are making the right choice. These include:
1 – Processor
The processor or CPU is one of the main functions of your laptop. Think of it as the ‘brain’ of the device. It allows programs to run, calculations to be performed and other crucial actions to be carried out. The better the processor, the faster the speed, and the better the performance of the laptop. Ideally, a business laptop should have the latest intel Core generation of processor or the equivalent AMD processor mode. Intel i9 or AMD Ryzen 400 and higher is your best choice.
2 – RAM
The RAM or Random Access Memory is another important component that will have a big impact on the performance of your business laptop. The RAM allows your apps to store and access data over a short period of time, storing the information from apps that are currently running to make sure that you can access them quickly. The higher the RAM, the better the efficiency, and the more tasks you will be able to perform at once, which is often important when running a home business. However, bear in mind that high RAM can have a negative impact on battery life. At least 8GB RAM is usually sufficient.
Design
There are several factors to consider when choosing the design of your business laptop. Before making your choice, consider not only how the laptop looks but how the design adds to the functionality.
1 – Display
Ideally, you should get a laptop with a high-res display system. The higher the pixels, the clearer the display will be. For business laptops, a 1080p screen resolution is usually ideal.
2 – Webcams
If you expect to be holding virtual meetings with your clients or video calls with people that work for or with your business, then a built-in webcam is an important design component to consider. The good news is that most laptops at either end of the price scale come with a built-in camera.
3 – USB Ports
Laptops tend to have several ports. When choosing a laptop for business, look out for one that has a USB-C port since this is the best option for fast file transfers. You may also want a regular USB port to make it easy to use pen drives with your laptop. If you’re going to be using a second monitor to boost work efficiency, choose a laptop with an HDMI port.
Getting the right laptop can make working on your home business easier and faster. Keep these factors in mind to help you find the ideal business laptop for your needs.