5 Must Haves for Your Work Laptop

You either have it, know of it, or are still fighting the trauma flashbacks of that clunky, slow, larger-than-life work laptop. The muscle required to tow it to and from the office probably qualified you for the Olympic sport of weightlifting. Fortunately, technology has advanced, and now lighter, faster, and leaner laptops are available. Since many models look similar and share many features, laptop shopping can be overwhelming, especially when you are buying them for your entire office staff.

Laptops see heavy daily use, now more than ever before. Business laptops are generally more expensive, but the extra cost ensures a higher-quality product. While it is tempting for some businesses to focus solely on cost when choosing a laptop to buy in bulk, you could be signing yourself up for the same decision in another two years, not to mention other headaches along the way. It is also important to consider other factors that contribute to the quality and longevity of your devices.

1. Durability and Portability
   Do not buy a run-of-the-mill consumer laptop. Business-grade laptops are better designed for long-term use than consumer models and are generally more portable. Laptops used for business are well-traveled and likely to come into contact with every surface in your home. That is why they are usually made of a more durable material, such as magnesium or carbon alloy with a polycarbonate shell. Also, a worthy business laptop should be lightweight, ideally weighing less than four pounds to suit the flexibility of today’s on-the-go professionals.

2. Hard Drive and Speed

   You get what you pay for plays a big part in this laptop qualification. Most inexpensive laptops do not have high storage capacities or top-of-the-line processors. The latest software programs require substantial system memory, so make sure your work laptop has at least 8 GB of RAM and an SSD. This enables fast data access and transfer, a necessity when multitasking with several large files open at once.

   A business laptop should be equipped with a modern Intel or AMD processor for faster performance, efficiency, and long battery life. This is particularly important for remote employees or teams handling multiple applications and large files simultaneously.

3. Updated Operating System and Firmware

   The operating system manages memory and processes and is, therefore, the most important software that runs on your computer. An up-to-date OS is essential for smooth compatibility with the programs you use daily. Often, older or refurbished laptops run on older operating systems.

   Windows remains the most widely used operating system globally, with Windows 11 as the newest major version. Devices still running Windows 7 or Windows 8 are no longer supported, which can create security and compatibility risks. Equally important is the firmware, or BIOS and UEFI, which loads the operating system and can enhance security, prevent tampering, and optimize performance.
    

4. Customization & Connection Options

   Every business is different. Buying off-the-shelf laptops in bulk may mean you are paying for features you do not need or not getting the ones you do. Look into laptops that let you preconfigure image loads, asset tagging, and personalized BIOS settings.

   As technology evolves, laptops are becoming thinner and may omit certain ports. Ensure the model you choose supports your business needs, including HDMI, USB, headphone jacks, SD card slots, and security locks.

5. Appropriate Display Size and Graphics      
   Screen size, resolution, screen type, and graphics processor affect your satisfaction with the device's output. Large displays of 15 inches or more are essential for graphics editing and multitasking, while smaller notebook screens around 13 or 14 inches may be ideal for browsing, word processing, or travel. Widescreen formatting provides optimal screen real estate for desk work. Many laptops also have a multitouch display, a convenient feature when a mouse is out of reach. A graphics processor, such as Intel integrated graphics, can improve performance, especially when using more complex applications.
    

To help make the right decision for your business, consider a laptop’s price-to-performance ratio, a measure of a product’s ability to deliver performance relative to its price. And remember to review the specifications of each laptop you are considering to ensure you receive peak performance for the extra money you spend. Laptops worth investigating include the Dynabook Tecra A50 and the Dynabook Portege X40. To learn more or get a quote, contact us.