The best office notebooks: a buying guide

Martin Jud

28.10.2019

Translation: Eva Francis

Navigating the notebook jungle can be tricky. How do you even know if your notebook ticks all the boxes? This notebook buying guide will help you see the wood for the trees.

It’s worth taking some time to research a notebook before rushing into a hasty purchase. That way you avoid needlessly digging deep into your pocket or opting for a configuration that isn’t the best. I’ll take you through the eight most important points to look out for when buying the best business notebook.

You can also use the interactive version of this buying guide. To do that, open this link in a new tab. It will take you to the notebook section, where filters – based on the eight important points or requirements – recommend the best product for you.

1. How much processing power and RAM do I need?

Theoretically, every notebook is optimised for office use cases. That being said, there are still a few things to look out for. If a notebook doesn’t have enough RAM – and by that I mean only 4 GB – the device might be slower when you have lots of browser tabs open. Similarly, it could stutter during excessive multitasking. If you need to do any photo editing on your office laptop then it’s worth investing in a stronger processor.

What’s more important for you? Select the statement that best applies:

1. I only need Office software and don’t have a lot of browser tabs open. I don’t mind if my notebook is a bit slower than others.
2. I often have more than one programme open and use a lot of browser tabs. It’s important for me that my notebook doesn’t run slower as a result.
3. Alongside Office software and browser tabs, I also use Photoshop or other image editing software now and then. But I still want my business notebook to respond quickly and be able to cope with lots of programmes open at the same time.

Once you’ve picked the statement that most corresponds to you, select «RAM» and «Processor family» in the filter selection.

1. If you picked this response, you can select any processor or RAM configuration. You don’t need to select any drop-down filters. Just sort according to the cheapest.
2. I’d recommend a notebook with at least 8 GB RAM. In the «RAM» drop-down filter, select «8 GB», «12 GB» and «16 GB».
3. You need at least 8 GB RAM. In the «RAM» drop-down filter, select «8 GB», «12 GB» and «16 GB». What’s more, you don’t want the processor to be too weak. For Intel-based notebooks, you want at least an i5 processor. In the «Processor family» drop-down menu, select all «Core i5» and «Core i7» processors along with «Ryzen».

2. Portability: how big do you need the display? What kind of notebook weight and battery capacity are you looking for?

Carting a huge notebook around all day is no fun. If you’re on the go a lot, notebook weight and screen size are important factors to consider. You might also need more battery capacity. Before you buy, consider how much you do work on the train or plane.

What’s your work set-up like?

1. I almost never work outside the office. What’s more, my notebook usually stays in the same place.
2. I almost never work outside the office but my notebook does move around a fair bit so I don’t want it to be too heavy.
3. Now and again, I do work remotely for a few hours. That’s why a compact notebook and relatively good battery capacity are important for me.
4. I’m always travelling for work so my notebook has to be very compact and offer good battery capacity.

Filter: display size, weight and battery capacity

Unfortunately, you can’t (as yet) filter by battery capacity so we’ll skip that for now. After going through all the points in this guide I’ll come back to the battery as it’s an important factor to consider.

1. You don’t necessarily need to set a filter. But I’d set the screen size if nothing else. As portability isn’t an issue for you, I’d recommend you go for at least a 15 " display.
2. Limit the weight to under 2 kg or even under 1.5 kg. In terms of display size, I don’t recommend going above 15 ".
3. Limit the weight to under 1.5 kg. In terms of display size, I don’t recommend going above 14 ".
4. Limit the weight to under 1 kg. In terms of display size, I don’t recommend going above 14 ".

3. How much disk space do I need?

Notebooks used to house hard drives; now they use the same space for SSDs. Solid-state drives have the advantage of being faster and free of any moving parts. However, they are more expensive than hard drives, which is why good HDDs are still used for secondary storage.

When it comes to buying a notebook, you have to be aware that manufacturers will make you pay more for larger SSD capacity. That’s why you might want to opt for less disk space and use an external solution for any extra storage.

Your best bet is to opt for at least 128 GB internal SSD to ensure you have enough space for the operating system, your most important programmes and data. In the SSD capacity filter, select «128 GB».

If you need more disk space you can either filter by the desired capacity or resort to a cheaper alternative:

• A lot of notebooks come with a microSD or SD slot. Buying a memory card to extend your storage will save you some money. As there’s no filter on our site to check if the notebook features a microSD or SD slot, I’ll come back to this point at the end of the guide.
• One option is to buy an external additional memory in the form of a hard drive, SSD or a USB stick.
• Another alternative is to use cloud storage, such as Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive, to house additional data.

4. Ports: what kind of external devices do you want to link up?

If you want to connect to an external screen or a mouse you’ll need the right ports.

Give some thought to the kinds of devices you’ll want to connect with your notebook and apply the filters that correspond to your answers below:

• If you want to connect a mouse or keyboard, you’ll probably need a USB A port. That or you check that the notebook in question features USB C ports and get your hands on a USB C to USB A adapter.
• For headsets, you’ll usually need a USB A or 3.5 mm jack.
• To hook up an external screen, you’ll need a DisplayPort, mini DisplayPort, HDMI port or micro HDMI port.
• If you also need to use an Ethernet cable alongside Wi-Fi, select the LAN/RJ45 filter.

5. Input devices: is a keyboard and touchpad enough? Or do I need a touchscreen and pen as well?

Not all notebooks come with a Swiss keyboard, which is why we’ve limited the results where necessary. What’s more, you might need to use Excel a lot, which is where a number pad comes in handy. But you normally only get them on 15 " notebooks and above. If handwritten notes are your thing, it’s worth opting for a notebook with a touchscreen and pen.

• If you want a Swiss keyboard, be sure to select «CH» from the Keyboard layout filter.
• If a touchscreen is an essential feature, select «Yes» from the Touchscreen filter.
• If it’s a number pad or pen-enabled notebook you’re after, select the relevant boxes from the Input device filter. While we’re talking pens, I should point out they’re not exactly cheap, and they have to be bought separately.

6. Laptop or convertible laptop?

Another point to consider is if you can see yourself using your notebook as a tablet. In so, you’ll want to opt for a hybrid. With convertible laptops, you can either remove the keyboard or rotate it 360°.

To shop purely for convertible laptops, select «2-in-1» from the «Application range» filter. Before buying a hybrid laptop, don’t forget to check the small print and accompanying sales information. You often find you need to buy the keyboard separately, such is the case with the Microsoft Surface range.

Tip: depending on the filters you set, your search might not give any results. If that happens, reset the filters and just select 2-in-1 from the Application range filter.

7. Operating system: do you need Windows, MacOS, Linux or something else?

You’re probably not shopping for your first notebook or convertible laptop so you’re likely to already have a preferred operating system. If not, I’ll do my best not to recommend one over another. Operating systems are a question of taste and something you have to choose yourself. However, if you really have no idea about computers, I’d suggest looking for something simple like Windows or MacOS.

If, on the other hand, you prefer open source and you already know which software you want to use, you’ll want to go for Linux and install it after buying your notebook. For maximum programme compatibility without the high price tag, Windows could fit the bill. If budget is secondary and you’re an Apple fan then MacOS seems the logical choice. Meanwhile, Chrome OS could be for you if you’re used to a minimalist set-up. The latter is heavily based on the Android smartphone operating system.

To get started, select your preferred operating system from, you’ve guessed it, the Operating system filter.

8. Refining your results: battery capacity, SD slot, ratings

Now you’ve got the results, you can compare the recommended devices in detail. From here it’s best to select «Sort: Lowest price» to get a clear view of the options.

We’re constantly improving our filters but there are still some factors you can’t sort. This means shortlisting results has to be done manually. Click the «Add to comparison list» icon – next to the pin – for each device you think could be a winner.

Now click on the compare symbol in the header on the top right of the page and hit «Compare» button next to the notebook list.

How to compare when there’s no filter option:

• You can check the battery capacity by looking under «Battery performance» in each product’s individual specifications. However, battery life depends on more than just its performance. Factors such as cooling system and display brightness can also lend extended performance to a device with reduced capacity. As a general rule, increased capacity translates into increased performance. But I’d take «Max. battery life» with a pinch of salt. Each manufacturer determines this with various tests, making it pretty meaningless.
• If you’re looking for an SD or microSD slot for additional memory, you can find all the details under «Card slots» – again, this is in each product’s specifications.

Before you part with any cash, I’d also recommend reading ratings and reviews from other customers. Users usually pick up on things manufacturers have tried to hide. Aside from that, technical data doesn’t give you an idea of what the device feels like or how robust it is.

I hope these tips help you find your next office notebook. If there’s anything I’ve missed, let me know in the comments so I can update the guide.

Martin Jud

Senior Editor

martin.jud@digitecgalaxus.ch

I find my muse in everything. When I don’t, I draw inspiration from daydreaming. After all, if you dream, you don’t sleep through life.

Follow

---

Computing

Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest

Follow topic

These articles might also interest you