The Best 6 Laptops for Working From Home and School

Now that working from home is the new going to work, and online learning is queued up to be part of the new normal, the need for the right laptop is greater than ever. But what makes a good laptop? And what is the best laptop for working from home?

For starters, you want to make sure your laptop for working from home has the speed and memory to keep up with your demands so you can stay productive. If you’re going to be working with large media files or are power-using your applications, make sure you have at least 8 GB of RAM so you won’t have bottlenecks on your laptop. And, if you’re prone to leaving several tabs open at once, you need that extra memory to keep your system running smoothly.

Beyond that, you want to consider size and weight. A laptop computer that’s small and lightweight might be great for portability, but is that screen too small when you’re going to be staring at it for hours on end? If you’re using your laptop for online education or working from home, you want a screen that’s at least 14 inches — nobody likes to squint — and can go larger based on your personal preferences.

Let’s look at six laptops that are great for daily use whether you’re working from home or going to school.

1. HP ProBook 650 G2 Laptop PC Basic

If you want a no-nonsense power player, the HP ProBook 650 G2 Laptop PC Basic is a muscular, no-frills option. With a work-friendly 15.6” screen and weighing less than 5 pounds, it’s neither too bulky nor too heavy when you’re on the go.

The simple design directs optimum focus to what really matters — the screen — and the spill-resistant keyboard seems ready-made for those early morning coffee accidents. In fact, this laptop can take just about anything you put it through; it’s designed to withstand vibrations, shocks and even drops.

If you have a lot of peripherals, the HP ProBook 650 G2 Laptop PC Basic has plenty of ports and even comes with a CD-RW/DVD-ROM as part of the standard package. And it will make your IT department breathe easier since it comes with a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to provide hardware-based security.

2. Dell Latitude 3470 Laptop PC Superior

One of the challenges with using laptops for work or school is that they often run out of juice before the day is over. That’s not the case with the Dell Latitude 3470 Laptop PC Superior, which has an extended, swappable battery so you can work as long as you’d like without having to recharge.

The 14-inch screen contributes to a weight of just 4.4 pounds, and it is loaded with side ports for the ultimate in expandability. One of the features that has gained renewed attention in the past year is webcam quality, and the built-in camera on this book doesn’t disappoint. It provides sharp, accurate images, which is increasingly important in an era of web conferencing and Zoom calls.

It also has the security needed to make it a great workhorse, with built-in TPM and optional fingerprint reader and encryption software.

3. Dell Precision 5520 I7-7820HQ 15.6” Touchscreen Mobile Workstation

If you’re looking for a super-slim, lightweight laptop, look no farther than the Dell Precision 5520 I7-7820HQ 15.6” Touchscreen Mobile Workstation. This portable is an exceptional companion whether you’re on the go or working at home. The 15.6-inch screen sports an InfinityEdge display for near-borderless viewing, while the 4K Ultra HD resolution delivers more than 8 million pixels for incredible detail.

But don’t let the good looks fool you; this beauty also has a head for business and school. With up to 2TB of storage and 2400MHz memory, you’ll find it easier than ever to transfer and store large files, including 3D, video and multimedia.

The touchscreen display lets you utilize Windows 10’s touch gestures and functions in the way they were designed to be used. There’s also a 720p webcam, an integrated microphone and stereo speakers to make sure those webinars and teleconferences look as sharp on the screen as they do in person.

4. HP ZBook Studio G4 I7-7700HQ Mobile Workstation

When you need the power of a desktop but the portability of a laptop, the HP ZBook Studio G4 I7-7700HQ Mobile Workstation fits the bill. This sleek model is less than an inch thick and weighs in at 4.6 pounds but gives you the power to run multiple applications simultaneously. The anti-glare LED-backlight display is easy on the eyes and uses a dedicated NVIDIA Quadro M1200 graphics card to deliver a sharp picture.

While its SSD doesn’t have quite the storage ability of an HDD, it also is more resistant to bumps, drops and other damage, since it lacks the moving parts that make hard disk drives more vulnerable. It also offers lightning-fast data transfer speeds and can accommodate external storage, optical drives, memory card readers and more with a pair of Thunderbolt 3 ports. You can also connect to it using the built-in Bluetooth 4.2 technology or one of the half-dozen USB ports.

And if you need to work overtime, the ZBook is right there with you with a battery that lasts more than 15 hours and an audio system featuring Bang & Olufsen HD audio speakers.

5. Dell Latitude 5490 I5-8250U 14” Laptop

Dell’s Latitude line of laptops and 2-in-1 PCs were designed to meet a variety of needs for mobile users without sacrificing scalability and flexibility. As part of that family, the Dell Latitude 5490 I5-8250U 14” Laptop conscientiously delivers exactly what it has promised.

Although there’s nothing flashy about this business-focused laptop, it is a strong-performing machine that can get you through a long work (or school) day and even go into the evening. As is critical for students or workers on the go, the Latitude 5490 has long battery life, with more than 15 hours on one charge to get you through your day.

Because the Latitude 5490 was created for on-the-go users, it is loaded with security options. That includes the Windows Hello feature to gain computer access via facial recognition and such multi-factor authentication hardware as a touch fingerprint reader, FIPS 201 Smart Card Reader and Contactless Smart Card Reader. Its ControlVault2 protection ensures safety against hackers by offering a secure solution for storing and processing passwords, biometric templates and security codes.

And, if the 14-inch screen is a little too small for your tastes, don’t sweat it: If you need to go big when you go home, the 5490 can connect to up to two Full HD displays and other peripheral devices via its DisplayPort, so you don’t miss a thing.

6. HP EliteBook 1040 G4 Intel Core I5-7300U 14” Laptop

The HP EliteBook 1040 G4 Intel Core I5-7300U 14” Laptop is kind of like the perfect work or school friend that is great at getting the job done but is also a lot of fun. The sleek silver shell hints at the style that’s inside, and that promise is delivered immediately when you open the machine and see the vibrant display. Backing up those great looks is a killer audio system complete with Bang & Olufsen-tuned speakers and an audio app that lets you set the sound for music, movies or voice.

Even though it looks like it was built for fun, the 1040 G4 is serious about data security and includes optional Sure View privacy screens to keep others from seeing what’s on your screen as well as Sure Start technology to automatically repair your BIOS infrastructure if your computer is attacked. You can get secure access to your computer using the Windows Hello facial recognition login or fingerprint reader.

On top of this, the EliteBook is known for durability, so it can withstand hot coffee, a fall to the floor or anything else that happens when you slip out to the coffee shop for a change of view.

Find the Right Laptop at Aventis Systems

No matter what you’re looking for in a laptop, Aventis Systems has a huge selection. If you’re in the market for a quality machine, let us help you find the one that’s right for you. Give us a ring at 1-855-AVENTIS for more information on the best laptops for working from home and school!