Best business laptops - June 2011
We bring you the best business laptops, from slim ultraportables to powerful mobile workstations
For many people, a business laptop can be practically any laptop as long as its reasonably fast and has enough ports. However, bona fide business laptops have a lot more to them than typical mainstream laptops. For starters, many are built to a much higher standard using magnesium alloy or another type of strong and light metal; many also have much better security and manageability features that IT departments simply can not do without.
Business laptops are generally a lot more expensive than mainstream laptops, and new models are usually released at the same price point and previous models. As with mainstream models, there are business models to suit any type of user, be it the engineer or designer who requires the grunt of a mobile workstation, the executive who requires something thin and light, and the business owner who wants a solid, all-round 15-incher.
In this roundup we are highlighting some of the best business laptops to come through our Test Centre in 2011. Almost all use Intel's Second Generation Core CPUs, and those that don't use the first generation Core, which shows you just how strong Intel's hold is on the business market. Do note that we're still waiting to see any of HP's business offerings for 2011.
This is a great ultraportable laptop for the business user who wants something very light and strong, but with good performance and a built-in optical drive. It's what we like to call a no-compromise ultraportable, in that it has everything a larger laptop has, but in a smaller and lighter form factor.
The build quality of this ultraportable is excellent, and so is its performance. It comes with a good array of features, including a solid state drive and a backlit keyboard.
This is a mobile workstation with lots of grunt under the hood and plenty of connectivity around the edges. It's designed for designers and engineers who need to take lots of CPU and graphics grunt with them on the road.
Of all the laptops we've seen, this one is perfect for executives who want to turn heads. It's super-light looks very sexy and has long battery life.
This 15.6in laptop is for a typical business user who wants something sturdy and comfortable to use. It supplies good performance and battery life, and it's also reasonably light and elegant.
It's not a typical business laptop. This Toughbook has a tablet-convertible screen, is spill-resistant and can withstand drops, and it's also very light.
A typical business offering from Lenovo; it has sturdy build quality, good performance and it's comfortable to use.
This is one of the cheapest business laptops we've seen and it's designed for small business users who want a well-featured and reasonably well built 15.6in model.
Apple MacBook Pro 15in (early 2010)
Mac users will love the new MacBook Pro, which now comes with Intel's Second Generation Core CPU. It's fast, it's sturdy, but it's also a little pricey. It's good for graphics designers and people who work with video and music.
This is a solidly built and fast laptop with a Full HD screen and plenty of battery life. It's good for everyday office work and photographic and multimedia tasks.
10 / 10
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Toshiba Portege R830 (PT321A-01L002)
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Lenovo ThinkPad X1 (1291-23M)
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Lenovo ThinkPad W520 (428426M)
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Samsung Notebook Series 9 (NP900X3A-A01AU)
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Toshiba Tecra R850 (PT520A-01S003)
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Panasonic Toughbook CF-C1
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Lenovo ThinkPad T420
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Dell Vostro 3550
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Apple Macbook Pro (15in, early 2011)
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Dell Latitude E5520
With 2nd Generation Intel Core technology in its belly, the 15.6in Dell Latitude E5520 definitely has speed to burn. It's recommended for business that want to roll out fast and well-featured laptops for their workers. However, it is a heavy unit and can be a chore to carry to and from the office.
- Review Date:
- Reviewer:
- Manufacturer:
- 23rd Feb., 2011
- Elias Plastiras
- Dell
- Rating:
- Price:
- $ 1,771.00
- Pros:
- Excellent all round performance, strong build quality, backlit keyboard, plenty of connectivity, modular bay
- Cons:
- Feels very heavy, some users may lament the lack of DisplayPort
