When they first appeared, business-grade laptops were bulky, boring and not very attractive. Of course, that wasn’t their purpose in the first place. The orders were amounting and the business community seemed never to have enough of them. However, as they developed, these portable devices became one of the sexiest players in the PC world, with features like magnesium alloy frames, latest tech improvements and powerful components. But what exactly makes a good business laptop?
Raw CPU Power
Even after the introduction of quad-core processors like Intel Core i5/i7s and the AMD A-series, dual-core units like the Intel Core i3/i5 series or AMD E-series and A-series APUs are still a standard for business-oriented laptops. By using ultra-low voltage processors in their Ultrabooks, Intel has managed to keep the laptops thin with increased battery life of 8 or 9 hours.
Storage
Business meetings and presentations often ask for HD videos, high-resolution photos and multimedia PowerPoint presentations that can suck up the hard drive space before you know it. If you are looking for a sweet spot between the economy and space, ask for 500GB to 1TB hard drives. Alternatively, a solid-state drives (SSD) have no moving parts so they are better suited for people who are carrying their laptops around a lot. They provide less storage for the price but their speed is unmatched.
Graphic adapter
Unlike gaming configurations, business laptops are well off with their integrated Intel, AMD or Nvidia graphic cards. What is more installing games is one of easiest ways to make a system unstable, which is not something you wish for a business tool. With smaller screen resolutions available for those who need to economize, today’s standard for business laptops is 1920×1080 at minimum.
OS and software
Most laptops are delivered with already preinstalled home versions of a Microsoft Windows. If your needs are covered by writing documents, handling spreadsheets, mailing and Internet browsing, there is no need to purchase more expensive business editions. It is much better to invest that money in one of Excel courses for employees, where they can learn all the ins and outs of this comprehensive number-crunching platform.
Connectivity
Although every laptop nowadays comes with a built-in Wi-Fi module, it still requires a hotspot or an unprotected network to establish the connection. This is the reason why many business laptops have integrated mobile broadband modems, which use cellular networks to provide broadband speeds wherever there is a mobile signal. Even if the laptops your employees use don’t have mobile modems, you can use a smartphone as a mobile hotspot.
Battery life
If you or your employees have to commute long distances or travel a lot, the laptop needs to include some practical battery options. There are several battery classes, with 9-cell ones having the longest life. While some of more compact options, like Ultrabooks and Apple devices have sealed and non-removable batteries, if you need a rig that lasts more than 6 or 8 hours before recharging, choose a laptop with a removable battery.
Paying a bit more for a laptop with extra security and connectivity options is always money well-spent. However, if your requirements are strictly home/office use, there is no need for rugged frames, intensive graphics and advanced battery capabilities.
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Author Bio:
Although a Physics graduate, Marcus opted for work in fields of technology, marketing and web. He is also an author at Technivorz blog. He likes an occasional game or two and has seen Star Wars films 44 times.
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