With the breadth of modern laptops you can find on the market today, there's something for just every type of use case. Business laptops are naturally popular because, at the end of the day, laptops are productivity machines. There are a lot of options when it comes to business laptops, and to help you find the right one, we've rounded up the best options you can find today.

But what makes a good business laptop? They're usually known for their exceptionally comfortable keyboards, classic designs, durability, and security features such as those built into Intel vPro and AMD Ryzen PRO processors. They also tend to be easy to upgrade — and most importantly, service — and offer various connectivity options, often including cellular network support so you can work from anywhere. Those are the reasons you'd usually buy a business laptop for, and the options below check most or all of these boxes. If this all sounds like more than you need, check out our list of the best laptops overall to see some more interesting options.

The top laptops for business in 2023

The Lenovo ThinkPad family houses some of the best business laptops in the world, and the X1 Carbon Gen 11 is the pinnacle of that. It blends top-tier performance with the classic ThinkPad look, making a fantastic laptop for getting work done.

Starting with performance, we're looking at 13th-generation Intel Core processors, up to a Core i7-1365U or a Core i7-1370P, both with vPro Enterprise support. The main difference between the U- and P-series models is that the format is better for battery life, while the latter will give you slightly faster performance. Additionally, this laptop comes with up to a whopping 64GB of RAM (a first for the ThinkPad X1 Carbon lineup) and a 2TB SSD for storage.

The 14-inch display is another highlight with its 16:10 aspect ratio. At the base level, you get a Full HD+ (1920x1200) display, but from there, there are multiple upgrade options. The options include a privacy screen and touch support for the base model, a 2.2K IPS panel, and a 2.8K OLED display. There's also a 1080p webcam above that display, with optional Windows Hello and Computer Vision support.

In terms of design, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 is exactly what you expect from the lineup, with its black chassis and red accents. There's also an optional woven carbon fiber lid in some models. It weighs just 2.48 pounds, though, so it's very portable and easy to carry anywhere. And despite that, it still has a good supply of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, USB Type-A, HDMI, and a headphone jack. There's even an option for 4G LTE or 5G connectivity, too, so you can work from wherever you go.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon has almost everything you could want in a business laptop, from the security features to its professional design. Just like its predecessors, it's one of the best business laptops you can buy. We've reviewed the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10, which is very similar but has older processors, so you can check it out if you'd like to learn more.

Dell is another major player in the business laptop market, and with the Latitude 9440, the company has completely revamped its flagship to make one of the best laptops around.

For starters, the Dell Latitude 9440 is packing 13th-generation Intel processors, up to a Core i78-1365U with vPro support. That processor has 10 cores and 12 threads, and it delivers solid performance while also being very efficient, so battery life isn't terrible. This is the upgrade you'd expect with any new generation of a laptop. The laptop also includes up to 64GB of RAM (which is soldered) and a 2TB SSD.

Switching gears to the display, the Dell Latitude 9440 comes with a 14-inch Quad HD+ IPS display (with a 16:10 aspect ratio) by default, and since it's a convertible, it also includes touch and pen support. It's a great experience already, so the lack of upgrade options makes some sense here. There's also a 1080p webcam above that display, complete with Windows Hello facial recognition support.

The biggest shakeup with this laptop compared to its predecessor is the design, which looks far more modern now. There's a larger touchpad now, and it has built-in Zoom meeting controls, plus the keyboard has a zero-lattice design for a sleeker look, inspired by the XPS 13 Plus. The laptop weighs in at 3.38 pounds. As for ports, we're looking at three Thunderbolt 4 connections and a headphone jack, which is a more limited setup than most business laptops. It does still have optional cellular support, though, as you'd expect.

If you're looking for something more modern and premium than the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11, the Dell Latitude 9440 is a fantastic option, though it is a bit more on the expensive side. On the flip side, you get a more premium experience by default.

We've already mentioned that Lenovo makes great business laptops, but the ThinkPad Z13 is a breath of fresh air in the ThinkPad family. It's the first flagship ThinkPad with an AMD processor, and it comes with a totally refreshed design, too.

Specifically, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 comes with AMD Ryzen 6000 series processors, up to a customized Ryzen 7 Pro 6860Z. This is a slightly boosted version of the Ryzen 7 Pro 6850U, with 8 cores, 16 threads, and boost speeds up to 4.73GHz. These processors also come with integrated Radeon 680M graphics, so GPU performance is surprisingly good. You can also configure the laptop with up to 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. The big downside here is that AMD has a new model coming soon, but this is still a great option today.

The display on the ThinkPad Z13 is a 13.3-inch panel, and it comes in a 16:10 aspect ratio and Full HD+ resolution by default. You can add touchscreen support, or upgrade to the stunning 2.8K OLED panel, which has true blacks and more vibrant colors. It doesn't have the option for a privacy screen, but this is still a fantastic display. The webcam is a 1080p sensor with Windows Hello support, and it has pretty good image quality. You have the option for a hybrid RGB/IR sensor or for discrete sensors, which should result in better quality.

As we've mentioned, the ThinkPad Z13 comes with a completely refreshed design, but it still has iconic ThinkPad elements, like the red TrackPoint. The chassis has a dual-tone look to it that feels very fresh for the series, and it's still very light, at 2.78 pounds. As for ports, it only has two USB4 ports and a headphone jack, which means it's somewhat limited, but you can use a docking station to expand that connectivity. It also optionally supports 4G LTE, but not 5G.

It may not be perfect but the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 is one of the most unique ThinkPads in years. The only problem with it is that it may be worth waiting for an updated model.

Not everyone can afford the most premium business laptops, but thankfully, you have options like the Dell Latitude 5540 if you want something that nails the essentials without being overly expensive.

Starting things off, the Dell Latitude 5540 comes with the same 13th-generation Intel Core processors as most laptops on this list, and you can choose between U-series models for better efficiency or P-series models for better performance. That means up to a Core i7-1365U or a Core i7-1370P, though the cheaper options naturally have weaker processors. You also get up to 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, but the good news is these specs can be upgraded later, as you'd expect with a business laptop.

The display is basic, but the 15.6-inch Full HD panel with a 16:9 aspect ratio is still more than enough for the majority of users. It's decently sharp, and while it's not overly bright, it's perfectly fine for indoor use. The laptop does include a 1080p webcam by default, and there's the option to add Windows Hello facial recognition, which is always great to see on cheaper devices.

There's nothing all too special about the design here, but the silver chassis is sleek and subdued enough to fit right into any business environment. At 3.56 pounds, it's not overly heavy for a 15-inch laptop, either. And you get a ton of ports with this design, including two Thunderbolt 4 and two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, RJ45 Ethernet, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader. There's even an option for a Smart Card reader and, of course, LTE cellular connectivity with a nano-SIM slot.

It may not blow you away, but the Dell Latitude 5540 is perfect if you're buying a fleet of laptops for your business. It checks all the essential boxes for a low price, and that's all it really needs to do.

Lenovo gets yet another mention, simply because the ThinkPad X1 Yoga is easily one of the best business convertibles money can buy. It's like a convertible version of the X1 Carbon, and that's definitely a good thing.

Those similarities start with performance, which is handled by up to a 13th-generation Intel Core i7-1370P or a Core i7-1365U, depending on your preference. As per usual, these processors support vPro Enterprise, and the laptop also comes with up to 64GB of RAM (doubling the previous generation) and 2TB of SSD storage. All you need for a great experience.

The display is mostly identical to the X1 Carbon, being a 14-inch panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio, but now, touch and pen support is included by default. The base model comes with a Full HD+ display and you can add a privacy screen or upgrade to the stunning 4K OLED panel for an outstanding visual experience. By the way, the laptop has a pen built in, so using it as a tablet is as easy as it gets. Of course, there's also a 1080p webcam with optional Windows Hello support and Computer Vision.

In terms of design, the ThinkPad X1 Yoga is very much in line with other ThinkPads, but instead of black, it comes in a Storm Grey color. It feels a bit fresher as a result, though it keeps all the iconic ThinkPad design elements you'd expect, too. It weighs 3.04 pounds, so it's still fairly portable, too. As for ports, this is exactly the same as the ThinkPad X1 Carbon. You get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, a headphone jack, and an optional SIM slot for 4G or 5G cellular connectivity.

Simply put, this is one of the best business laptops around, especially if you want a convertible design. We've reviewed the ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7, which is nearly identical aside from having older processors.

If you're looking for something a bit more unique, the HP Dragonfly Folio may be exactly what you're looking for.

Inside the HP Dragonfly Folio are 12th-generation Intel Core processors, up to a Core i7-1265U with 10 cores and 12 threads. These aren't the newest processors around anymore, but they're not far behind the 13th-generation processors. Beyond that, configurations with up to 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD are available, so you shouldn't have to worry about performance or storage.

This laptop has a 13.5-inch display, and it also comes in a 3:2 aspect ratio, which is even taller than 16:10, and arguably better for productivity. The base model comes in Full HD+ resolution, and you can either add an HP Sure View Reflect privacy screen or upgrade to the stunning 3K2K OLED panel, which gives you a phenomenal viewing experience all around. Of course, it supports touch and pen input, since it is a convertible. The webcam atop that display is arguably the best on any laptop, with a big 8MP sensor and Windows Hello support. Most HP laptops have 5MP sensors, and that's already ahead of most of the industry.

What makes this such a unique laptop is its convertible design. Instead of rotating 360 degrees all around, the Dragonfly Folio uses a second hinge mechanism behind the display, and that allows you to pull the bottom of the screen closer to you. You can lay it over the base to use as a tablet, or cover just the keyboard and leave the trackpad visible. The laptop also comes covered in a classy faux leather for a premium and professional look, and it weighs just 2.2 pounds. Because of the thin design of the chassis, there aren't a lot of ports available. You get two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a headphone jack, so at least you have expansion options with a Thunderbolt dock.

It's not a perfect laptop, but if you want something classy and versatile, the HP Dragonfly Folio delivers a fantastic experience. You have to be willing to pay quite a bit for it, though.

Some businesses need more performance than others, and if your work involved heavy AI-related tasks or 3D rendering, the Dell Precision 7680 is the perfect laptop for you.

The specs are unlike anything else on this list, starting with up to an Intel Core i9-13950HX processor, with a whopping 24 cores and 32 threads, for absolutely beastly performance. What's more, you can pair that with up to an Nvidia RTX 5000 Ada Generation GPU with 16GB of memory, so you can blaze through any and all workloads without breaking a sweat. The laptop itself comes with up to 128GB of RAM (using the fancy CAMM modules designed by Dell) and a 4TB SSD. No corners are cut in terms of performance here.

The display is a 16-inch panel and it comes in a 16:10 aspect ratio, which is why we chose this model over other Dell workstations. The base model comes with a Full HD+ display, and you can upgrade to a brighter panel or go for the Ultra HD+ OLED display that looks absolutely stunning and lets you make the most of the powerful specs inside. Above that display is a 1080p webcam with optional Windows Hello support.

Because of the massive amount of power at play here, the Dell Precision 7680 isn't exactly light, starting at 5.75 pounds, though you can expect that to go higher if you configure it with top-end specs. However, the laptop still looks sleek and subdued, as you'd expect for a work machine. It has a ton of ports, too, including three USB-C ports (two with Thunderbolt 4), two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, RJ45 Ethernet, a headphone jack, a full-size SD card reader, and an optional Smart Card reader. You can also add 5G connectivity with a nano-SIM slot.

The Dell Precision 7680 is far from a cheap laptop, but that's to be expected with this kind of beastly workstation. If your business demands this kind of power, however, this is the laptop for you.

Not every business needs or wants a Windows laptop, and ChromeOS is an increasingly popular choice. If you're looking for one of these laptops, then the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook is the best option for you, by far.

Performance-wise, it's powered by 12th-generation Intel Core processors, up to a Core i7-1265U with vPro support, which gives you 10 cores, 12 threads, and boost speeds up to 4.8GHz. While there are newer processors on Windows machines, this is basically the best you can get on ChromeOS, and the performance will be fantastic due to it being a lightweight operating system. You can also configure this laptop with up to 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD.

It also comes with a 13.5-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, similar to the Windows-based Dragonfly laptops, but the configurations are a bit different. The base model is Full HD+ and you can add an HP Sure View privacy screen, but you can also upgrade to a sharper 2256x1504 panel if you want. Like most HP laptops, it has a 5MP webcam, though there's no facial recognition because ChromeOS doesn't support it.

In terms of design, the HP Elite Chromebook Dragonfly isn't too different from the Dragonfly G3, aside from having a different form factor. It comes in black, and because it's a convertible, it's also a little heavier, weighing 2.8 pounds, but it's still very portable. Rounding things out with ports, you get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB Type-A port, HDMI, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader. It's a solid setup that gives you all the options you could need, including expansion with Thunderbolt docks. There's also cellular network support, with options for 4G LTE or 5G.

It's not exactly on par with the best Windows laptops, but the Elite Dragonfly Chromebook is easily one of the very best ChromeOS laptops, and it earns a recommendation for any business relying on Google's operating system.

Different businesses have different needs, and if you're out working in harsh environments like a desert, the Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet is for you.

Let's start with performance, which is driven by up to an Intel Core i7-1260U processor, with 10 cores and 12 threads. It has a lower wattage than most models on this list, so performance won't be quite as good, but it's fast enough for most day-to-day tasks. You can also get up to 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, so you have plenty of space.

The display is one of the unique factors that make this a special device. This panel comes in a sharp 1920x1200 resolution, and it reaches 1200 nits of brightness, so it's perfectly visible outdoors. It also supports touch even when you're wearing gloves. On the front, the tablet has a 5MP webcam with Windows Hello support, and there's also an 11MP camera on the back for when you need to take pictures in a pinch.

Of course, with a rugged device, it's all about the design, and the Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet delivers when it comes to durability. This chassis is extremely durable, surviving drops up to 4 feet, temperatures up to 63 degrees Celsius (145 degrees Fahrenheit) or as low as -29 degrees Celsius (-20 degrees Fahrenheit), and water and dust. Dell also makes a keyboard accessory that's designed to be just as rugged as the tablet. In addition to working with gloves, the tablet also has some physical buttons along the bottom of the display to make things easier.

As for ports, the Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet is fairly customizable. By default, it includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB Type-A port, and a headphone jack. Then, there are two optional I/O bays that let you add ports like RJ45, barcode scanners, and more. Optional cellular support is also available with either 4G LTE or 5G.

Like most rugged business laptops, the Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet isn't cheap, but it's a device that's meant to last a very long time, so you won't have to spend that kind of money anytime soon.

Best business laptops in 2023: The bottom line

Whether you want a premium business laptop, something you can buy in bulk for your workforce, or you have an edge case like field work in harsh environments, there are all kinds of laptops out there for you. We chose the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 as the best overall laptop because it comes with an iconic design that's thin and light, traditional ThinkPad features, great performance and connectivity, and the option for a stunning OLED display. It truly has it all, so we couldn't ask for much more.

However, business laptops are often bought in bulk, and many of these options are a bit too expensive if you want to equip your entire workforce with them. The Dell Latitude 5440 is a great option if you want a more affordable laptop that still has all the basics, including great performance and multiple configuration options, plus easy serviceability later on if you need it.

You may have noticed that all of these laptops have cellular support in some capacity, but that feature isn't exclusive to business laptops. If you want to explore other options, we have a list of the best 4G laptops, as well as the best ones with 5G, so you can take a closer look.