Buying the Best Business Laptops – Tips and Options

There are so many business laptops out on the market that it can be a bit baffling to find the right one, for the right price.  If your new laptop is going to be used mostly for business purposes, then you will want to be sure to get something that is high quality as certain laptop brands are known to crash every so often; this can be extremely detrimental to your business as not only will you have to spend valuable time getting it repaired but you also lose vital information as well.  When it comes to business laptops, it is always more important to get something that is high quality as opposed to something that is cheaper and yet not as well made.  That is not to say, however, that you have to buy the most expensive laptop on the market.  Some, such as Panasonic’s Toughbook notebook laptops or Sony’s notebook laptops, cost in the range of $2,000 to $4,000.  While these are great quality if you can afford them, you usually only have to spend in the range of $700 – $1,000 for a high end, good quality business laptop.

One thing to consider is the size.  Many business laptops are now made as notebook laptops, small, thin, compact and easy to carry around.  This is very convenient if you have to travel a lot as mini notebook laptops are just perfect for traveling.  Another benefit is that they are also a bit more affordable than the larger laptops.  About the only disadvantage to mini notebook laptops is that certain kinds of smaller models can be quite hard to type on as the keyboard is quite small.  If your business is one where you have to do a lot of typing then it is a good idea to get something that you will feel comfortable typing on for a long time.  It is easy enough to look at the model of the laptop on display and put your fingers down on the keyboard.  Imagine yourself typing a page out on it and see if you would be able to do so easily or if you would find it difficult.

Check the battery life also; different laptop models have different battery life; you would most likely want one that lasts a long time if you travel a lot.  Having blue tooth already put in is also important, as is making sure that your laptop can get online from anywhere.  These days online access is a vital part of any business.  You should also keep in mind that the best business laptop for someone else may not be the right one for you – a lot depends on what your profession is.  If, for instance, you work a lot with graphics and design, you should make sure that you get a laptop that has a lot of hard drive and memory, as graphic programs do take up a lot of space.  For another person, having a laptop that gets online from anywhere may be vital, if their work requires them to be constantly connected.  Make sure to get a laptop that has a webcam if you need to do regular video conferences.

Another important thing to remember is to check out what warranty is offered and what the customer service is like.  This is particularly important if you travel a lot; while most companies do offer international customer service, some are slower and not as helpful while others are more on top of things and will quickly replace whatever part is damaged or broken, as long as the machine is still under warranty.  Be sure that if you buy your laptop abroad, as many people do, that it is covered under international warranty and will be serviced even if you are in a different country than where the business laptop was bought.  It is important to know what the company offers in this regard so that you are not faced with an unpleasant surprise later.

Listed below are some of the many business laptops on the market, as well as a bit about each of them.  It is important before you buy business laptops to know not only what are good brand names, but what particular models and makes are the highest rated.

Acer’s Timeline Aspire 4810T is a great choice if you need a high quality laptop that is affordable.  It is well rated by users and computer reviewers alike.  The battery is long lasting and it is a sturdy and yet light machine.  It is not as aesthetic as some other laptop models and neither is it the quickest when it comes to online access, but it is great quality for the price it is sold at.

Acer Aspire Timeline 14-Inch Rating: 4.0 / 5 Price: $642.97

Apple’s MacBook Pro model, made in the summer of 2009, is one of the most universally useful business laptops on the market.  Recently Apple has started using aluminum as opposed to the plastic it used on earlier models, which is a definite improvement.  While many consumers are concerned about the fact that the battery can not be removed and therefore can not be replaced if it crashes, Apple has made a lot of improvements on their laptop batteries, making them better quality.  You can either buy the 13’ screen which has 2.53 GHz or the 15’ Pro which has over 3 GHz CPU.

Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-Inch Laptop Rating: 4.5 / 5 Price: Too low to display

HP business laptops are a good choice and there are a number of models that get high marks from business laptop reviews.  HP’s Pavilion dm3-1020ea is one such model.  If you need something speedy then this is a good option; it also has a long lasting battery that, unlike Apple’s, is removable and easily replaceable if needed.  It is ultra portable which makes it a good option for those who have to travel a lot in their line of work, and it is quite affordable as well.  The HP Mini 2140 is a good option if you need something that is easy to type with; their keyboard is very highly rated by computer reviews; in fact, the laptop in general gets good marks from reviewers and users alike, as it is well built, sturdy without being too heavy, and is quite affordable at the same time.

HP 2140 Mini Notebook Rating: 3.5 / 5 Price: $389.99

Lenovo is another good brand name when it comes to business laptops.  They make a number of models that are thin and some, such as the Lenovo ThinkPad Edge, come with business software already installed, which is both time and money saving.  Many of Lenovo’s business laptops are quite sleek and good looking, unlike some other laptop models that do not put as much emphasis on aesthetics.  Most of them have long battery life and they are also quite affordable.  The Lenovo 3000 N200 is one of the highest rated business laptops out of all of Lenovo’s models, however, this one is not so portable at 15’ and it is not as aesthetic as many of Lenovo’s other models.  However, if you want something that is strictly for business purposes and your business does not require you to travel a lot, then this particular make is a high quality and yet affordable option.

Lenovo Y550P 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black) Rating: 4.0 / 5 Price: $949.99

If you are one of the many businessmen or businesswomen who travel a lot and need a business notebook well suited for this, then Samsung’s models are a good choice.  They are light, easy to travel with and many of them have a good battery life.  Samsung’s N150 also offers a matte screen that is reflection resistant, making it easier on your eyes.  Their highest rated notebook computer is the X120 model.  It is one of the few ULV processors that is affordable.  It is the perfect size at 11.6 inches – small enough that it is light and easily portable and large enough that it is comfortable to type on and use; in fact, their keyboard is outstanding for a laptop of this size.  It also has an attractive design.  About the only bad thing that can be said about it is that the battery life is quite disappointing; however, since most airports and other public areas do have electrical outlets, this should not be too much of a problem.

Samsung N150 10.1-Inch Blue Netbook Rating: 4.0 / 5 Price: $298.99

Sony’s Vaio X series is one of the most impressive of Sony’s models.  With great battery life, this thin and ultra sleek notebook computer is both nice looking, durable and easy to use.  Whether it is worth the expensive price tag is arguable, however.  Sony’s S model may be a more affordable option if you simply need something for your workplace as opposed to a laptop for traveling with, although the S series does not have very good battery life.

Sony VAIO 15.5-Inch Laptop (Black) Rating: 5.0 / 5 Price: $824.00

Toshiba laptops are known to be high quality, durable machines.  Nearly all of their laptop models have been rated as reliable by computer reviews despite the fact that many of them have also been noted to be quite ugly.  If you need something that is fast and works well, something that you do not have to worry will crash just when it is most needed, Toshiba is one of the highest quality brands on the market.  Their NB305 is one of their more portable models; however, some of their larger models are also a good choice, such as the Toshiba Qosmio X500 and the Satellite U500, which is also available as a touchscreen model.

Toshiba Qosmio X505 18.4-Inch Laptop Rating: 4.0 / 5 Price: $1,891.94

There are number of choices available for business laptops that meet a variety of needs and price ranges.  Whether you’re looking for something to “get the job done” or looking for a solution that can be your entertainment powerhouse, you can find a laptop that will work right for you.

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