Whether you need long battery life, powerful performance or just something affordable, there's a great business laptop for you. Read on for our top picks for 2015.
Best Overall Business Laptop
Lenovo ThinkPad T440s
Lenovo's ThinkPad T line of business laptops is made for business, offering fast performance, long battery life and superior keyboards. That's why the 14-inch ThinkPad T440s is our pick for the best overall work laptop. The well-rounded machine has a gorgeous 1,920 x 1,080-pixel display; a tough, premium design; and a keyboard that's a joy to type on. Lenovo's PowerBridge feature is another big perk; you can switch out the notebook's external battery without turning the notebook off, since it also includes a separate internal battery. That way you can keep working on those long business flights without running out of juice.
Key features:
- TrackPoint pointing stick
- Hot-swappable battery
- Fingerprint reader (optional)
- Solid state drive (optional)
- Touch screen (optional)
- Desktop dock compatible (not included)
- Long battery life
Click here for a full review of the ThinkPad T440s from our sister site Laptop Mag.
Note: An upcoming version of this notebook, the Lenovo ThinkPad T450s, looks ready to steal the title of best business laptop, with a speedier fifth-generation Intel processor and an improved trackpad. Stay tuned for our full review.
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Best Apple Laptop
MacBook Air (13 inch, 2014)
Apple's MacBook Air is a great pick for business users who want an ultraportable notebook with staying power; the superthin device lasted an incredible 12 hours in our battery test. Its 13-inch display could be sharper, but you do get a premium aluminum build, a comfortable keyboard, the most precise touchpad around and new ways to connect your MacBook to your iPhone. The MacBook Pro offers a higher-resolution screen and more power, but you lose some battery life and portability, making the Air a better choice for most business users.
Key features:
- OS X Yosemite
- iPhone continuity
- Solid state drive
- Thin and light design
- Long battery life
Click here for a full review of the MacBook Air from our sister site Laptop Mag.
Note: Apple is expected to launch an updated MacBook Air at the company's March 9 press event. Rumors suggest the new device will sport a 12-inch screen with a razor-thin bezel, giving it a very small footprint. Stay tuned for our full review.
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Best Ultraportable Laptop
Dell XPS 13
If it's an eye-catching laptop you want, you can't go wrong with Dell's new XPS 13. The notebook sports the world's thinnest bezel, measuring just 5 mm on either side. That means that its sharp display stretches almost from one edge of the lid to the other. The design feature is also functional, since it allows for a 13-inch screen on a laptop that's roughly the size of the average 11-inch laptop — a big perk for business users who want more screen space for work, without sacrificing portability.
Key features:
- Edge-to-edge display
- Thin and light design
- Small footprint
- Solid state drive
- Touch screen (optional)
- Desktop dock compatible (not included)
Click here for a full review of the Dell XPS 13 from Business News Daily.
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Best Convertible Laptop
Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro
If you want a business notebook that can fold into a tablet, Lenovo's Yoga 3 Pro is the device to beat. The 2-in-1 hybrid device can fold backward a full 180 degrees, so you can use it like a large tablet or fold out the keyboard when it's time to work. And the Yoga 3 Pro features an elegant watchband-style hinge that allowed for a thinner overall design. Other hardware highlights include a stunning 3,200 x 1,800-pixel touch-screen display, a zippy Core M processor and a lightweight design — the 13-inch notebook weighs just 2.6 lbs.
Key features:
- Thin and light design
- Convertible laptop/tablet
- Solid state drive
- Touch screen (optional)
- Desktop dock compatible (not included)
Click here for a full review of the Yoga 3 Pro from our sister site Laptop Mag.
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Best Laptop/Tablet Hybrid
Microsoft Surface Pro 3
Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 is a tablet that's designed for use with a keyboard, even though the accessory is sold separately. The Type Cover keyboard is one of the better tablet keyboards you'll find, with a superthin design and a pretty good trackpad. The tablet's 12.2-inch tablet display is spacious and supersharp, providing a surprising amount of real estate to work on. The Surface Pro 3 includes a stylus, so you can take notes right on the pressure-sensitive display. The built-in kickstand comes in handy for note taking, providing a good angle for writing.
Key features:
- Thin and light design
- 2-in-1 hybrid (detachable keyboard sold separately)
- Pressure-sensitive display
- Pen included
- Solid state drive
- Touch screen
- Desktop dock compatible (not included)
Click here for a full review of the Surface Pro 3 from Business News Daily.
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Best Small Laptop
Dell Inspiron 11 3000
Want a laptop that's easy to carry with you on your daily commute? The 11-inch, 3-lb. Inspiron 11 3000 is our pick for the best small business notebook. For your money, you get a handsome silver body and zippy performance for everyday business tasks. The notebook also has a flexible design; its display can fold backward a full 180 degrees, so you can use the device like a tablet. Plus, it offers a solid 6 hours of battery life — pretty good for a system this small.
Key features:
- Convertible laptop/tablet
- Thin and light design
- Small footprint
- Affordable price point
Click here for a full review of the Dell Inspiron 11 3000 from our sister site Laptop Mag.
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Best Chromebook
Toshiba Chromebook 2
Chromebooks aren't for everyone, but they're an affordable alternative for business users who have only basic computing needs. Toshiba's Chromebook 2 is the best overall package, offering a sharp, 13-inch display; a slim, lightweight frame; and an impressive 8 hours of battery life — all for a superaffordable $329. Like other Chromebooks, this model runs on Chrome OS, which is not compatible with software made for Windows or Mac computers. Regardless, the Chromebook 2 is a great bargain for users who primarily want to check email, browse the Web and run basic apps.
Key features:
- Thin and light design
- Chrome OS
- Solid state drive
- Affordable price point
Click here for a full review of the Chromebook 2 from our sister site Laptop Mag.
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Best Budget Laptop
Asus EeeBook X205TA
At just $199, the Asus EeeBook X205TA feels like a steal. The notebook includes a good 11-inch display; an attractive, lightweight design; and a decent, well-spaced keyboard. You also get nearly unbeatable battery life: The EeeBook X205TA ran for an epic 12 hours and 5 minutes in our battery test. You'll have to make some concessions, though: The device's touchpad could be better, and its webcam isn't great. Still, this is a laptop that provides an excellent bang for your buck.
Key features:
- Thin and light design
- Small footprint
- Long battery life
- Affordable price point
Click here for a full review of the EeeBook X205TA from Business News Daily.
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