Best Windows laptops for business users

It’s easy to be influenced by the big and shiny MacBooks, but for those wanting an interface they might be more used to, we’ve compiled a list of Windows laptops ideal for CIOs and business users.

Our top picks are:

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The latest version has been updated from previous models with the screen tilting to a 165-degree angle. Furthermore, it boasts a 13.5-inch screen, 4GB RAM and an impressive 14.5-hour battery life.

There is an upgrade available which includes 256GB and 8GB of RAM but the cheaper version is just as powerful with 128 GB of storage.

Microsoft Surface comes with Windows 10S pre-installed which only allows you to download apps from the Windows store, which means you might want to pay to upgrade to the full Windows 10 as it supports third-party apps.

Specifications:
Dell’s latest offering is a 13-inch laptop and comes with a powerful Core i5 processor.

The XPS 13 has three other versions available – all depending on how much RAM, storage and display you need for your business use. The low-end version has 8GB RAM, 256GB storage and costs £1249. The high-end laptop features 16GB RAM, 512GB storage and retails at £1549, however, its cheaper also works well in terms of speed and performance.

It is a feature-rich laptop with a touchscreen display, fingerprint sensor and back-lit keyboard. Also, it comes with Windows 10 Home pre-installed, and is packed with features such as Windows Hello facial recognition, plus a 12-month subscription to McAfee Small Business Security.

The Dell XPS 13 weighs 1.21kg and is great for connectivity with 2x Thunderbolt, 3 USB-C ports and a USB-C 3.1 port.

Specifications:
ZenBooks are known for their ultra-thin and lightweight design.

The Asus ZenBook 3 has a 14-inch HD screen and weighs 1.1kg, and is 11.9mm thick, making it one of the most lightweight laptops on the market. Also, it has an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, 256GB in storage and 3x USB 3.1 ports. You can upgrade to a version with 16GB of RAM and 512GB in storage.

It is a feature-rich laptop with a backlit keyboard, fingerprint recognition as well as an integrated sound system and webcam with microphone. However, there is no external optical drive available with users having to buy that separately.

There is an upgrade available which includes 16GB of RAM and 512GB but the cheaper version is just as powerful with 256GB.

Specifications:
This 15.6-inch laptop also has a 13-inch version available. It has no microSD card slot but does boast 8GB RAM, 1TB SSD storage, a USB 3.0 port and micro HDMI for external displays.

This model offers a 360-degree hinge with touchscreen capabilities, great for collaborating in team meetings.

Specifications:
The Dell XPS 13 has a 13.3-inch screen with an Intel Core m5-6Y57 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD, not to mention a USB 3.0 port, two USB-C, Micro-HDMI, a microSD card slot and two optional Micro-SIM slots.

This model has smart power management which means the battery can last significantly longer than previous models.

Pros: Excellent battery life
Cons: Quite expensive from (£1,099)

Its clean design includes a micro SD slot, 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage.

Its upgrade has introduced a fingerprint sensor, touchscreen capabilities and two USB-C ports. The previous version was 10.16mm in thickness with Acer shaving it down to 8.99mm, making it the thinnest laptop in the world. Prices for Acer Swift 7 will start at £1599.

Specifications:
It might not look up to much, but this Dell is very powerful and has an unusually good battery life for a laptop of this calibre. It comes with a 15.6-inch screen, Windows 10 Home 64-bit, 8GB RAM, up to 1TB SSD, 2x USB 3.0 and 1x USB 3.1.

Pros: Excellent screen quality and a good allrounder

Con: Weighing in at 2kg, it is a little on the heavy side compared to others listed

The Asus Transformer comes with 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage and a 10.1-inch screen, great for commuting or working on the go.

It has an impressive 11 hours of battery life with its ‘quick launch’ feature allowing you to open apps or tabs with a single swipe gesture. It has a detachable keyboard and a smart-hinge design for the kickstand allowing the screen to rotate 170 degrees.

The Asus Transformer comes with Windows 10 pre-installed as well as features including Sticky Notes, Windows Hello facial and fingerprint recognition.

Specifications:
A rival competitor to the Microsoft Surface Pro laptop is the Acer Switch 3.

The Acer Switch has a 2 in 1 functionality working both as a laptop and a tablet. What’s more, it has a 360 degree hinge which allows you to switch between the different devices in ease.

Acer Switch boasts a 12.2-inch screen, 4GB RAM and a 1920 x 1200 IPS LCD touchscreen great for CIOs holding meetings and giving presentations.

Dell makes five versions of the Latitude 7285 with the entry-level offering Core i5-7Y54, 8 GB RAM ,128 SSD and costs £1193.71 (excluding VAT). Its high-end version7285 has a Core i7 Y-series CPU, 16 RAM, 512GB SSD and costs £1873 (excluding VAT).

It has 12.3-inch screen, 2880 x 1920 screen display and weighs 1.23kg, making it heavier than Asus Transformer Mini and Microsoft Surface Laptop that we have previously reviewed.

Windows 10 is pre-installed and it comes with a free 30 day trial of Microsoft Office and McAfee Small Business Security.