Power and productivity on the move: The best business laptops of 2024

We know that not every business professional is after a basic laptop for simpler tasks like emails and spreadsheets. Some demand the capacity to handle everything - like this Acer Swift Go 14 SFG14-42 model. Despite its modest 14-inch screen, this Acer boasts hardware specifications that can compete with much bulkier desktop setups.

Need a display that delivers crisp, clear images for your presentations and detailed spreadsheets? No problem, as this one has an OLED screen. And that means it's easier on the eye too, so those late-night PowerPoint creations or half-day industry webinars will be a lot less of a strain.

It's also equipped with top-of-the-line specifications, including a fast AMD Ryzen 7 processor and a generous 16GB of RAM. We were happy to find that storage capacity exceeds expectations too, with 512 GB - ample space for an array of business applications.

Some users who push this to its limits for high-intensity work like video rendering find it can run a little warm, which is to be expected for the components on offer here. In terms of design, this laptop under £1,000 doesn't disappoint, offering a robust keyboard and a fingerprint reader for enhanced security when you're out and about.

In our opinion, the HP Stream Laptop PC 11-ak0027na is something of a steal. It's a compact, cost-effective machine that's robust enough for business use.

Its lightweight yet robust HP build and 11.6-inch display make it an ideal option for professionals who need a lightweight and agile business companion. The keyboard is generously proportioned for its size too, turning this laptop into an efficient tool for handling emails and documents.

Packing an Intel Celeron processor and 4GB of RAM, this laptop isn't the most powerful on the market, but that's why it's such a great budget choice. The storage is low - so we recommend investing in an external drive.

The vibrant HD screen and responsive keyboard offer a straightforward and budget-friendly choice for all day-to-day business tasks. Coupled with a 13-hour battery life, the HP 11-ak0027na stands out as a stunning laptop under £200 for those in need of a reliable business tool.

For some professionals, a 14 or 15-inch laptop doesn't offer quite enough workspace for comfort. However, the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i laptop expands your view with its 3.2K ultra-high-definition 16-inch display. Something of a surprise to us in a laptop, it uses mini-LED technology which makes for superior colour accuracy and contrast.

So, anyone working on design or detailed business data will love it. The inclusion of the Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card means this laptop can handle heavy-duty graphic design and video editing tasks, alongside typical business applications.

From a performance standpoint, the Yoga Pro 9i is equipped with a top-tier Intel Core i9 processor and 32GB of RAM, making it more than capable of running demanding professional software suites and multitasking without a hitch.

One potential drawback for mobile professionals is the battery life, which lasts about 6.5 hours. This may require planning for power access during extended meetings or business travel. Despite this, the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i impresses with its design; it's sleek, sturdy, and looks the part.

The ASUS Vivobook 16 is expertly designed to balance costs without compromising on business needs. We particularly like that its features are well-suited to for professional use for more advanced tasks and applications.

It boasts 16 GB of RAM and a generous 1TB SSD - so all of your projects and multitasking needs are going to be met here. In fact for the price, the spec is significantly higher than we'd normally expect. The battery life is a little on the average side, though, depending on what you're using the laptop for.

Powered by a Ryzen 7 processor, the Vivobook 16 is equipped to handle demanding business applications with ease. Its integrated AMD Radeon graphics card supports smooth video playback and graphics-intensive presentations without a hitch.

The laptop also features a sufficient number of ports to connect peripherals such as external drives, keyboards, and other essentials for a comprehensive office setup. The combination of a webcam with a 16-inch display means you can manage multiple windows and applications alongside your video conferencing. All in all, we find the Vivobook 16 to be a laptop of exceptional value and specification for any business.

Not every laptop needs to be heavy to be powerful. We think this Lenovo 14-inch IdeaPad 1 really stands out for its considerable hardware spec versus its weight. A 1TB SSD gives you a serious amount of storage, making it a prime choice for professionals with a lot of working files to take with them.
While this laptop isn't engineered for high-speed performance, it is equipped with 4GB of RAM and an Intel Celeron N4020 CPU - and that's enough to run Windows 11 in S mode.

That means that you have a fast, light and Microsoft-friendly machine that will integrate with the most common business systems and applications no matter where you go.

Tailored for routine office tasks rather than intensive computing workloads, this laptop is not only suitable for office needs but can also accommodate a vast array of media, such as photos or videos, for your business presentations. It's a great all-rounder for light-computing tasks on the move.

When it comes to innovation and performance, we think the ASUS Zenbook Duo is a prime choice for the ultimate business laptop for those who need some creative power. Its innovative dual touchscreen design sets it apart, as it tilts up to seven degrees and helps to keep the main screen clear of clutter.

Mounted flat above the keyboard, that additional screen works with the included ASUS Pen stylus too - although we do think it takes a little getting used to as it's horizontal.

From a design perspective, the ASUS Zenbook Duo boasts a high-tech yet aesthetically pleasing look with a sturdy yet lightweight chassis. Powered by an Intel i7 CPU and equipped with 16GB of RAM, it handles multitasking with speed and precision. Offering some tablet-style functionality, the touchscreen of both displays allows for fast intuitive control too.

For us, the inclusion of the ASUS Pen adds a creative spin to this laptop, as well as offering a natural way of taking notes during meetings. That said, if you have a bit more money to spend on an ASUS with a touchscreen and stylus - but don't want that second screen - the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED laptop we reviewed is another great option for creatives.

An incredible high-end laptop from HP, the HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 laptop is a fantastic choice for users in need of versatility and power on the go. A light, yet highly powerful laptop filled with features, HP's Spectre x360's strong CPU performance, which is capable of hitting up to a whopping 5.0 GHz, provides razor-sharp performance and instant access to performance-hungry applications such as anything from Adobe's Creative Suite.

Though there's not a whole lot offered from the HP Spectre x360's integrated GPU, it's more than made up for by a fantastic 16GB of RAM and 1TB SSD, which proves to be plenty for business applications.

The overall versatility of the HP Spectre x360's design is impeccable, functioning as both a laptop and tablet with a 360-degree folding arc (hence the name). Transforming into a large, highly-optimised tablet, using the x360 with its included stylus is a joy, and will give avid note-takers a new lease on life.

Perhaps the largest flaw of the HP Spectre x360, however, is its severe lack of ports, a decision made to reduce the overall thickness of the laptop itself. This sacrifice may leave those who favour peripherals a little lost without much choice but to buy a multi-port hub, which can be expensive.

That being said, for the sheer convenience of the HP Spectre x360's ultra-lightweight design, you can hardly be blamed for overlooking its minor flaws - it's without question one of the best touchscreen laptops of the year.

Apple's new generation of integrated chips, the M3, really do put its laptops into a league of their own. The 2024 MacBook Air is a prime example, and that chip has a 10-core GPU and a 16-core neural engine. Classic Apple looks aside, we think it's practically tailor-made for cutting-edge business applications. Install your essential business software on this machine, and you'll also benefit from that 15-inch Liquid Retina display.

Supporting over a billion colours, the screen ensures exceptional clarity and accuracy, making it perfect for presentations and detailed document work. It operates at quad-HD resolution as well. Apple finish this laptop off by giving it an impressive 18-hour battery life under average use.

However, when used for heavier computing tasks you should expect a bit less. But, for us, this Apple MacBook Air represents the optimal combination of style, speed and typical Apple high-functionality. We know that business professionals will love it, whether working from home, the office or with clients.

It may not be the only touchscreen laptop on this list, but we do think it's the best outside of those models aimed at high-end or creative users. For businesses who need to balance tablet-style usability with portable computing power, we think that the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is a real winner. Its touchscreen functionality allows easy intuitive use when using applications.

Ideal for taking extensive notes or making presentations, this laptop is powered by an i5 CPU and equipped with 8GB RAM. While that's not the cream of the performance crop, it is still enough to effortlessly handle key business applications, including Microsoft Office and various creative tools if you need them.

With ample 512GB of storage capacity, it's ideal for taking a vast array of working documents and projects with you. One extra that we appreciate is the audio output that's a real bonus when video conferencing or making multimedia presentations from across the desk. The claimed 18-hour battery life makes this on par with the Apple Macbook Air, although again this may vary depending on its use. All in all, a great hybrid laptop-tablet.

HP's PC 15s-fq5021sa is a typical HP product when it comes to dependable build and solid functionality. It is, of course, a Chromebook - so don't expect a Windows 11 experience. But, if you need a lightweight and robust little laptop that can help you keep on top of everyday light business tasks, this is it.

Equipped with a 15.6-inch display, a 256GB SSD, and 8GB of RAM, it offers an outstanding spec for the price. However, the real game-changer is the Intel Core i5 processor. While many competitors at this price point opt for the less powerful i3, the inclusion of an i5 processor in this Chromebook is a cut above the rest.

We love the addition of the anti-glare screen with its ultra-slim bezel that will make for more comfort during long work sessions. Our favourite feature, though, is the full-size numeric keypad - absolutely ideal for date-input tasks and spreadsheets. There is though no backlighting on the keyboard. The icing on the cake is the integrated HD camera - brilliant for video calls with colleagues and clients. All in all, this is one of the best-specced Chromebooks we've seen.