Working from home is becoming the new normal, whether you’re a remote employee, freelancer, or entrepreneur. To make the most of it, you need the right tools, and a solid laptop is the centerpiece of your setup. But with so many options out there, which laptop should you pick? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here’s a breakdown of the best laptops for working from home, tailored to different needs and budgets.
Top 10 Laptops For Working From Home
If you’re in a hurry, check out our top 10 picks for the best best laptops for working from home in 2024.
| Image | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | HP Newest 14" Ultral Light Laptop for Students and Business, Intel Quad-Core N4120, 8GB RAM, 192GB Storage(64GB eMMC+128GB Micro SD), 1 Year Office 365, Webcam, HDMI, WiFi, USB-A&C, Win 11 S | SEE IT |
 | HP 14 Laptop, Intel Celeron N4020, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB Storage, 14-inch Micro-edge HD Display, Windows 11 Home, Thin & Portable, 4K Graphics, One Year of Microsoft 365 (14-dq0040nr, Snowflake White) | SEE IT |
 | HP Chromebook 14" HD Laptop for Business & Students, Intel Celeron N4120, 4GB LPDDR4, 224GB Storage(64GB eMMC+160GB Docking Station), UHD Graphics, Webcam, Long Battery Life, Chrome OS, Modern Gray | SEE IT |
 | HP 17 Laptop, 17.3” HD+ Display, 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1125G4 Processor, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Wi-Fi, HDMI, Webcam, Windows 11 Home, Silver | SEE IT |
 | HP Go Slim 15.6" Laptop, 16GB RAM, 1.5TB Storage(512GB External SSD and 1TB Cloud Storage), Intel Quad-core Processor, Fast Wi-Fi 6, Upto 12 Hours Battery, Win 11 with Free 12-Month Microsoft Suite | SEE IT |
 | hp Newest 15.6" Anti-Glare HD Laptop, Intel Quad-core Processor, 16GB RAM, 128GB SSD+ 128GB JVQ USB Storage, Office 365 1-Year, Up to 11 hrs Long Battery, Win11 S, Scarlet Red | SEE IT |
 | HP Essential Laptop, 14" HD Display, Intel Celeron N4120, 16GB RAM, 64GB eMMC, Webcam, HDMI, Wi-Fi, RJ-45, 1 Year Office 365, Windows 11 Home, Rose Gold | SEE IT |
 | Lenovo 2022 Newest Ideapad 3 Laptop, 15.6" HD Touchscreen, 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 Processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD, HDMI, Webcam, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth, Windows 11 Home, Almond | SEE IT |
 | Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Laptop, 15.6” FHD Display, AMD Ryzen 5 5500U, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Windows 11 Home, 720p Camera w/Privacy Shutter, Smart Noise Cancelling, Cloud Grey | SEE IT |
 | HP Stream 14" HD BrightView Laptop, Intel Celeron N4120, 16GB RAM, 288GB Storage (128GB eMMC + 160GB Docking Station Set), Intel UHD Graphics, 720p Webcam, Wi-Fi, 1 Year Office 365, Win 11 S, Silver | SEE IT |
Why You Need a Reliable Laptop for Working From Home
Before diving into the list of the best laptops, let’s talk about why choosing the right one matters. When you work from home, your laptop isn’t just for email or browsing. It’s the hub for everything—meetings, projects, collaboration, and sometimes entertainment during lunch breaks. A sluggish, unreliable laptop can slow you down, frustrate you, and even impact your productivity.
So, what should you be looking for in a laptop for working from home? Here are some key factors:
- Performance: You’ll want something that can handle multitasking—think Zoom meetings, Google Docs, and a dozen Chrome tabs open all at once.
- Portability: Even though you’re at home, you might want to move around. A lightweight laptop makes it easier to work from the couch, the kitchen table, or even the backyard.
- Battery Life: You don’t want to be chained to an outlet, right? A good laptop for remote work needs to last at least 8 hours on a single charge.
- Connectivity: With everything happening online, strong Wi-Fi capabilities are a must. Plus, enough ports for all your gadgets.
Best Laptops for Working From Home
Let’s break down the top laptops in different categories. Whether you're looking for the best budget option, something with killer performance, or an all-around reliable choice, there's something for you.
Best All-Around Laptop: HP Newest 14" Ultra Light Laptop
Why We Love It: This laptop checks all the boxes for someone who needs a versatile, reliable machine that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. With its Intel Quad-Core N4120 processor and 8GB of RAM, it can handle multitasking smoothly. Plus, the 14-inch screen strikes the perfect balance between portability and comfort for long hours of work.
Key Features:
- 14” HD Display
- Intel Celeron N4120 Processor
- 8GB RAM and 192GB Storage (64GB eMMC + 128GB MicroSD)
- Lightweight and portable for working anywhere around the house
- One year of Office 365 included
Best For: Freelancers or remote workers looking for solid performance without spending a fortune.
Best Budget Laptop: HP Stream 14" HD BrightView Laptop
Why We Love It: If you're looking for something on the more affordable side but still need a reliable machine, the HP Stream is your go-to. It’s light, has decent specs for its price, and comes with a bonus docking station. Perfect if your job mostly involves email, writing, and video conferencing.
Key Features:
- 14” HD Display
- Intel Celeron N4120 Processor
- 16GB RAM, 288GB storage (128GB eMMC + 160GB from Docking Station)
- Long battery life, up to 12 hours
- Windows 11 S mode for optimized security
Best For: Those on a tight budget who don’t need to run resource-heavy applications.
Best for Performance: HP 17 Laptop
Why We Love It: Need serious power for video editing, software development, or other demanding tasks? The HP 17 has you covered. It’s got an 11th Gen Intel Core i3 processor, 32GB RAM, and a whopping 1TB SSD for all your storage needs. Plus, that big 17.3” HD+ display makes it perfect for split-screen work.
Key Features:
- 17.3” HD+ Display
- 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1125G4 Processor
- 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD
- Large display perfect for multitasking
- Bundled with a KKE mousepad for extra convenience
Best For: Power users who need a laptop that can handle intense multitasking and heavy software.
Best for Portability: Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Laptop
Why We Love It: Sometimes, working from home means working from bed, the couch, or even outside. The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 is light, sleek, and easy to carry around. It’s got solid specs, and with the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor, it’s more than capable of keeping up with you as you zip through your day.
Key Features:
- 15.6” FHD Display
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor
- 512GB SSD storage, 8GB RAM
- Weighs just 3.5 lbs
- 12-hour battery life
Best For: Anyone who loves to move around the house while working and doesn’t want a heavy machine.
Things to Consider When Choosing Your Laptop
Before you hit “add to cart,” here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a laptop for working from home.
A. Processor
The processor is the brain of your laptop. If you’re just doing light tasks like document editing and web browsing, an Intel Celeron or AMD Ryzen 3 processor will do the trick. For more demanding tasks like video editing or running multiple applications, you’ll want an Intel Core i3 or Ryzen 5.
B. RAM
The more RAM you have, the better your laptop can handle multitasking. For light use, 4GB of RAM is sufficient, but for smooth performance and to future-proof your laptop, aim for at least 8GB. If you’re running heavy applications, 16GB is ideal.
C. Storage
How much storage you need depends on what kind of work you do. A 256GB SSD is a good starting point for most users, but if you work with large files (video, design, etc.), look for at least 512GB or even 1TB.
D. Screen Size and Resolution
If you’re spending hours in front of your laptop, screen size and resolution are important. A 14” or 15.6” display offers a good balance between portability and viewing comfort. If you want something bigger, 17” laptops like the HP 17 are great, but keep in mind they’re heavier and less portable.
E. Battery Life
Nobody wants to be tethered to an outlet. Look for laptops that offer at least 8 hours of battery life, so you can move around the house without constantly recharging.
F. Ports and Connectivity
Make sure your laptop has enough ports for all your gadgets—USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and an SD card reader are the essentials. Good Wi-Fi capabilities are also important, especially if you’re on video calls a lot.
FAQ: Answering Your Burning Questions
Q: How much should I spend on a laptop for working from home?
A: This really depends on your needs. If you're just doing basic tasks like word processing and Zoom meetings, you can get away with spending under $500. However, if you need more power for creative work or heavy multitasking, you might want to invest in a laptop in the $800–$1,200 range.
Q: What’s better, an SSD or HDD?
A: SSD (Solid State Drive) is faster, quieter, and more reliable than HDD (Hard Disk Drive). It also consumes less power, making it a better option for working from home.
Q: Can I use a gaming laptop for working from home?
A: Absolutely! Gaming laptops tend to have powerful processors and graphics, which makes them great for multitasking and heavy applications. However, they’re often heavier and bulkier, so keep that in mind.
Q: Is a 2-in-1 laptop a good choice for working from home?
A: Yes, if you want a device that doubles as a tablet for note-taking or creative work. Just make sure it has the performance you need for your daily tasks.
Q: Should I buy a laptop with Windows 11 or Chrome OS?
A: Windows 11 is more versatile and can run a wider variety of applications. Chrome OS is lightweight and great if most of your work happens in a browser, but it’s not ideal for heavy-duty software.
Conclusion: Ready to Find Your Perfect Laptop?
The best laptop for working from home really depends on your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for something budget-friendly, a powerful multitasking machine, or a portable workhorse, there’s a laptop out there for you. Just keep in mind what tasks you’ll be doing, how much you want to spend, and what features are most important to you.
Happy shopping, and here’s to a productive (and comfortable) work-from-home experience!