13 Best Laptops for Remote Work in 2024
Explore the top 13 laptops for remote work in 2024. Find the perfect blend of performance, portability, and price for your digital lifestyle.
Nowadays, when remote work is becoming the norm, the laptop you choose is more than just a device; it’s your portal to productivity, creativity, and connection.
But with so many choices, you must be confused about finding the one that truly resonates with your unique workflow. This guide, “Best Laptops for Remote Work,” is designed to navigate you through this sea of tech, helping you pinpoint the perfect match for your professional and personal needs.
Join us as we explore top-notch options that promise to elevate your remote working experience to new heights.
# Best Laptops for Working Remotely
Whether you’re a digital nomad, a home office warrior, or a globetrotting freelancer, discover the remote work laptops that resonate with your unique work style.
| Laptop Model | CPU | Benchmark Score | Screen Size | Weight | Price | Amazon Ratings | | — — — — — — | — — | — — — — — — — — | — — — — — — | — — — | — — — | — — — — — — — | | MacBook Pro 14 | Apple M1 | 21,811 | 14 Inches | 6.90 lbs | $1,699 | 5/5 | | Dell XPS 15 | Intel 12th Gen Core i7–12700H | 26,442 | 15.6 Inches | 6.70 lbs | $1,599 | 5/5 | | Apple MacBook Air M2 | Apple M2 chip, 8-core CPU | 15,412 | 15.3 Inches | 3.3 lbs | $1,049 | 4.8/5 | | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 9) | Gen 9 Intel Core i7–1165G7 | 10,352 | 14 Inches | 2.55 lbs | $1,260 | 4.7/5 | | Lenovo Yoga 7i | AMD Ryzen 7 7735U | 21,270 | 16 Inches | 4.37 lbs | $999 | 4.5/5 | | Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro | 13th Gen Intel Core i7–1360P | 19,283 | 16 Inches | 3.44 lbs | $1,244 | 4.5/5 | | Lenovo ThinkPad E16 (AMD) | AMD Ryzen 5 7530U | 16,415 | 16 Inches | 3.75 lbs | $1,019 | 4.5/5 | | Acer Swift 3 | Intel Core i7–1260P | 17,205 | 14 Inches | 2.76 lbs | $789 | 4.4/5 | | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 | Intel Core i5–1235U or Core i7–1255U | 13,582 (i5) & 13,790 (i7) | 13.5 Inches | 2.79 lbs | $1,103 | 4.4/5 | | HP Pavilion 15 | 11th Gen Intel Core i7–1165G7 | 10,352 | 15.6 Inches | 3.86 lbs | $944 | 4.3/5 | | Acer Aspire 5 | AMD Ryzen 3 3350U Quad-Core | 5853 | 15.6 Inches | 3.97 lbs | $599 | 4.3/5 | | Asus Zenbook 14 | AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX | 22,733 | 14 Inches | 2.87 lbs | $1,152 | 4.2/5 | | HP Envy x360 | AMD Ryzen 5 5625U | 15,110 | 15.6 Inches | 2.73 lbs | $769 | 4.1/5 |
1. Apple MacBook Pro 14
Amazon Rating: 5
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch powerhouse is ideally suited for remote working, offering portability and exceptional performance. It features an Apple M1 Pro or M1 Max chip and a 10-core CPU, offering 3.7x processing power. The laptop’s up to 32-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine ensure 13x faster graphics and 11x quicker machine learning.
With 16GB RAM (expandable to 64GB) and 1TB storage, it handles multitasking effortlessly. Moreover, its battery life stands out, providing up to 17 hours of use, making it one of the most well-rounded options for professionals working remotely.
Pros
- Powerful M1 Pro or M1 Max chip
- XDR display with high screen resolution and color accuracy.
- Extended battery life for prolonged use.
- Sturdy construction with a sleek design.
- Impressive speakers and a good 1080p webcam.
- Versatile port selection, including Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI
Cons
- Price as compared to other laptops
- Heavy (6.90 lbs) & not much portable
2. Dell XPS 15
Amazon Rating: 5
The Dell XPS 15 is the best laptop for working from home, thanks to its 12th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU and 32GB of high-speed DDR5 RAM. A 1TB SSD running on Windows 11 Pro provides ample storage and a smooth user experience. Unique features like a Fingerprint Reader and Backlit Keyboard add to its utility.
The Dell laptop sports a 15.6-inch FHD+ Anti-Glare display for visuals, enhanced by NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics. Connectivity options include Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, as well as USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 ports. With its 86 Wh battery, the XPS 15 ensures longevity, making it a reliable choice for extended remote work sessions.
Pros
- Sleek design with narrow bezels and a premium feel.
- Impressive all-purpose performance with capable GPU options.
- Vibrant color reproduction and clarity, with an OLED option.
- Long battery life with 86Wh battery
- Backlit keyboard for easy typing in low light
Cons
- Pricier compared to the competition.
- Limited port selection (only 3 USB-C ports and a headphone jack)
3. Apple MacBook Air M2
Amazon Rating: 4.8
The Apple MacBook Air M2 is a portable and powerful laptop, perfect for remote work and entertainment on the go. It boasts a vibrant 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display, offering 500 nits of brightness and P3 wide color. This means that you’ll be able to enjoy vibrant images and incredible detail no matter what you’re doing.
At its core, the MacBook Air M2 features an efficient M2 chip, offering impressive processing power. It also provides up to 18 hours of battery life, allowing you to work all day without worrying about recharging. It’s equipped with essential ports, including a MagSafe 3 for charging, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, catering to various connectivity needs.
Pros
- Excellent performance with M2 chip.
- Powerful speakers with good bass
- All-day battery life (up to 18 hours)
- Thin and light design
- Beautiful Liquid Retina display
- Secure and reliable macOS operating system
- Good selection of ports
Cons
- Pricier than M1 model
- Supports only one external screen.
- Battery life is shorter than the 2020 M1 MacBook Air, yet long-lasting.
4. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 9)
Amazon Rating: 4.7
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 9) excels in performance and portability, making it ideal for laptops for remote work. It’s powered by an Intel Core i7–1165G7 processor with 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD, making multitasking a breeze. The laptop runs on Windows 10 Pro and features a Backlit Keyboard and Fingerprint Reader for added security.
On the visual front, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon doesn’t compromise; it boasts a 14-inch FHD Anti-glare display with Intel Iris Xe Graphics for quality visuals. Connectivity is robust with Wi-Fi 6 and multiple ports, including Thunderbolt 4. The Rapid Charge feature boosts the battery to 80% in just an hour, and the laptop weighs a mere 2.40 lbs, perfect for those on the go.
Pros
- Lightweight laptop with portable design (2.4 pounds)
- Long battery life (up to 19 hours) on a single charge
- Durable and MIL-STD-810G tested design
- Fast and reliable Wi-Fi 6 connectivity
- Comprehensive security features
- Great quad speakers for good sound quality.
Cons
- RAM is not upgradeable, which is potentially limiting for some users.
- No dedicated graphics card, so it’s not ideal for gaming
- Higher price tag due to premium features.
5. Lenovo Yoga 7i
Amazon Rating: 4.5
The Lenovo Yoga 7i is the best laptop for remote work, blending top-notch performance with versatility. This mid-range laptop boasts a Ryzen 7 processor, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD, making it adept at managing heavy multitasking. Furthermore, its 16-inch IPS touchscreen with Dolby Vision offers crisp visuals, and Windows 11 Pro 64-bit supports a range of tasks from productivity to casual gaming.
Its standout feature is the x360-degree hinge, enabling Laptop, Yoga, Flip, and Tablet modes. The Yoga 7i also impresses with a 19.5-hour battery life and various connectivity options, like Wi-Fi 6E and USB-C, ensuring productivity and connection throughout the day on Windows 11 Pro.
Pros
- Versatile, with touchscreen and pen support.
- Strong performance, with 12th Gen Intel Core i7 and 16GB RAM.
- High-quality 2.2K display.
- Durable aluminum build.
- Long battery life.
- Good port selection, including Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.1.
Cons
- Limited upgradeability; RAM is soldered, and only one M.2 slot is for storage.
6. Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro
Amazon Rating: 4.5
The Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro is an excellent choice for remote workers seeking to maximize productivity. Powered by the latest Intel processor, this laptop is designed for speed and can easily handle the most demanding tasks. Its stunning 14-inch and 16-inch 3K AMOLED display quality offers a breathtaking visual experience.
Beyond its reliable performance, this laptop boasts various features tailored for a versatile remote work experience, such as a long-lasting battery, fingerprint reader, and multiple connectivity options, including Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C. It comes with up to 1TB of storage — expandable to 2TB via a microSD card — so you’ll never run out of room for your essential files.
Pros
- Powerful Intel processor
- Slim and incredibly lightweight design
- Long battery life
- Wide range of ports
- High-quality webcam and speakers
Cons
- Expensive
- No dedicated graphics card
- Limited keyboard travel
7. Lenovo ThinkPad E16 (AMD)
Amazon Rating: 4.5
The Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 is Lenovo’s first 16-inch commercial laptop in the ThinkPad E Series, designed for demanding remote work tasks. It’s powered by an AMD Hexa-Core Ryzen 5 Processor, comes with 40GB of Memory and a 1TB SSD, and features a 16-inch anti-glare touch display that supports up to 4K external monitor, making it perfect for multitasking and video calls.
This premium laptop is well-outfitted for connectivity and security, with multiple USB and Ethernet ports, a backlit keyboard, and a fingerprint reader. It offers fast Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 connections and runs on Windows 11 Pro 64-bit. Additional peace of mind comes from up to a three-year warranty on upgraded components, making it a reliable laptop choice for professionals in various fields.
Pros
- Large 16-inch, high screen resolution.
- Powerful AMD Ryzen 7 processor with 24 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD.
- Multiple connectivity options, including USB ports, HDMI, and DisplayPort.
- Wi-Fi 6/6E and Bluetooth 5.2 support.
- 1080p webcam with IR for facial recognition.
- Comfortable keyboard with dedicated numpad.
Cons
- Chassis prone to fingerprints.
- Limited to HDMI 1.4b standard and no USB 4.0 support.
8. Acer Swift 3
Amazon Rating: 4.4
The Acer Swift 3, powered by the Intel Evo platform, perfectly balances high performance and portability for remote workers. With its Turbo Boost Technology, this remarkable laptop is designed for demanding tasks, reaching up to 4.7GHz. Also, it’s a battery life, making it perfect for on-the-go productivity.
With its 14" QHD IPS display, the Acer Swift 3 offers vivid, detailed visuals essential for content creation. It has 16GB memory, a 1TB SSD, and Wi-Fi 6E, ensuring efficient performance. Additional user-friendly features like a fingerprint reader and versatile Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 ports enhance its utility for remote work.
Pros
- Best budget laptop for remote work
- Efficiently handles complex workloads and tasks like Photoshop.
- Impressive battery life of around 12 hours of web browsing and 9 hours of video playback.
- Compact build, weighing around 2.75 lbs for portability.
- No PWM flickering, comfortable for long-term use.
Cons
- No memory card reader.
- Lacks an IR camera for facial recognition login.
- The screen tilts back only to about 145 degrees, limiting usability.
- Soldered memory with a maximum capacity of 16GB limits upgrade possibilities.
9. Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
Amazon Rating: 4.4
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is a standout option for remote workers seeking a blend of style and performance. Running on Windows 11 with AI-based Copilot, it is designed for multitasking with Intel Evo Core i5 and i7 options. The 13.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen provides 18% more vertical space, and Windows Hello enables secure facial recognition login.
Regarding connectivity and battery life, the Surface laptop excels with its Thunderbolt 4 port for versatile connections and fast data transfers. This business laptop also boasts an up-to-18-hour battery life, allowing extended work periods. Moreover, its enhanced camera and dual far-field Studio Mics ensure precise and effortless video conferencing.
Pros
- Excellent build quality.
- Replaceable SSD storage.
- Bright, crisp touch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio.
- USB-C, USB-A & Thunderbolt 4 support.
- Chic and lightweight design.
- Great performance, fast Intel 12th-gen CPU.
Cons
- Large display bezels, which may not appeal to some users.
- U-series CPU might not be suitable for more demanding tasks.
- 720p webcam, i.e., lower than what many competing laptops offer.
- Does not offer AMD configurations
10. HP Pavilion 15
Amazon Rating: 4.3
The HP Pavilion 15 is an exceptional choice for those seeking a high-performance laptop for remote work. Its compact design houses a 15.6-inch Full HD screen size and superior B&O audio, making it a portable yet powerful device. Enhanced by Intel Iris Xe Graphics, it provides stunning visuals, while the 11th Generation Intel Core i7 processor ensures quick, efficient performance.
This stylish laptop is built for productivity on the go, with a long-lasting battery and HP Fast Charge technology. Moreover, it boasts a 512 GB SSD and 16 GB of RAM for speedy, responsive multitasking. Preloaded with Windows 10 Pro, Wi-Fi 6 capability, and a commitment to environmental sustainability, it’s a smart choice for the modern professional.
Pros
- Robust performance with an Intel Core i7–1165G7 processor.
- Sharp and clear visuals.
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 support.
- Sleek design with narrower bezels
- Good range of ports, i.e., USB 3.0/3.1, HDMI, and a MicroSD card reader
Cons
- No Thunderbolt support.
- Difficult to open for upgrades.
- Small capacity 41 Wh battery, not ideal for heavy workloads.
- Narrow NumPad keys, potentially making them cramped for more giant fingers
11. Acer Aspire 5
Amazon Rating: 4.3
The Acer Aspire 5 is another best-budget laptop for remote workers due to its robust configuration and user-friendly features. The computer has 36GB of RAM, providing ample bandwidth to handle multiple applications simultaneously without lag. A 1 TB solid-state drive ensures swift boot-up times and rapid data transfers.
It’s powered by the AMD Ryzen 3 Processor, offering up to 3.50GHz for high-performance computing. Moreover, it includes a backlit keyboard with a Numpad, optimizing work in varied lighting. Security is streamlined with a fingerprint reader, and visual comfort is guaranteed by a 15.6" Full HD Anti-glare IPS Display, supported by AMD Radeon Vega 6 Graphics.
Pros
- Affordable laptop; good value for money
- Fast Performance with Intel 13th-Gen CPUs and DDR5 RAM
- Sturdy plastic case with a brushed aluminum look and metal lid
- Good connectivity, including Thunderbolt 4, GBit-RJ45, and HDMI 2.1
- Improved ergonomics with ergo-lift hinge design
Cons
- Scarce port selection compared to predecessor
- Wide bezels on the display give it an outdated look
12. Asus Zenbook 14
Amazon Rating: 4.2
The Asus Zenbook 14 shines with its 14-inch Full HD NanoEdge display for remote work environments, offering stunning visuals and firm performance. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX Processor, AMD Radeon Vega 7 Graphics, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD, it’s built for multitasking efficiency.
The laptop’s design prioritizes portability and convenience, weighing just 2.87 lbs and featuring an ErgoLift hinge, a backlit keyboard, and extensive connectivity options. It runs on Windows 11 Professional, offers enhanced security with an IR webcam, and meets the MIL-STD 810G standard for durability.
Pros
- Compact, lightweight, and premium feel
- Excellently priced, providing good value for money
- Good quality IPS matte screen
- Competent with demanding loads, especially in CPU-heavy tasks
- Good fan profiles
- 63 Wh battery with decent battery life
Cons
- Display is reflective and attracts smudges
- Limited Ports and No Thunderbolt 3 Support
13. HP Envy X360
Amazon Rating: 4.1
The HP Envy x360 distinguishes itself in the remote work sector with its unique 360° geared hinge and flip design. It allows users to switch effortlessly between four modes: the traditional laptop setup for work, a reverse position for viewing content, a tent position for interactive activities, and a tablet mode for dynamic, on-the-go use.
Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 5625U processor and 8GB DDR4 RAM, the Envy x360 delivers robust performance, ideal for multitasking. It also features a 256GB NVMe SSD, offering fast data access and efficient operation for various remote work tasks.
Pros
- Premium build quality.
- Good selection of ports.
- Excellent webcam with AI features.
- Comfortable keyboard and touchpad.
- Decent battery life.
- Support for fast charging.
Cons
- Display limited to 1080p resolution
- The display is prone to fingerprints.
- Not suitable for heavy-duty tasks.
Summing Up
To sum up, an ideal laptop is more than a device; it’s your partner in navigating remote work opportunities. Each option we’ve explored above offers a unique blend of features to enhance productivity and creativity in your work life.
While upgrading your hardware, why not explore new opportunities to optimize your work-life balance? Check out 4 Day Week, a platform offering various remote job options.
With 4 Day Week, you can find roles that match your professional skill set and embrace a flexible schedule.
This article was originally posted on 4 day week — jobs with a four day workweek. Get a job with a better work-life balance.