Best Laptops for Business in 2025

In 2025, the demand for powerful, secure, and ultra-portable laptops has never been higher. Whether you’re running a startup, managing a remote team, or navigating the corporate world, your laptop is the engine that drives your productivity — and your security posture. We’ve rounded up the seven best business laptops of 2025, balancing performance, battery life, durability, and value.

Before diving in, make sure your new device is properly protected. See our guides on cybersecurity for remote workers and best Windows security practices for remote workers — great hardware means little without solid security habits behind it.

Top 7 Business Laptops to Buy in 2025

1. Apple MacBook Pro (M3, 2025) — Best for Creative Professionals & Mac Users

• Processor: Apple M3 Pro / Max
• Display: 14.2″ or 16.2″ Liquid Retina XDR
• Battery Life: Up to 22 hours
• Starting at: $1,999

Apple’s M3 MacBook Pro remains the gold standard for creative professionals and power users in the Apple ecosystem. Silent fanless performance, a razor-sharp Liquid Retina XDR display, and class-leading battery life make it difficult to beat. macOS integrates seamlessly with iPhone and iPad, enabling a genuine multi-device workflow.

From a security standpoint, Apple Silicon’s built-in Secure Enclave, hardware-verified boot, and sandboxed app architecture make the MacBook Pro one of the most locked-down laptops available — a major advantage for professionals handling sensitive data on the go.

View the MacBook Pro on Apple.com →

2. Dell XPS 15 (2025) — Best All-Around Windows Business Laptop

• Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9
• Display: 15.6″ 3.5K OLED (Touch)
• Battery Life: Up to 15 hours
• Starting at: $1,799

The Dell XPS 15 is the go-to Windows machine for professionals who want a premium experience without Apple’s ecosystem. The vibrant 3.5K OLED touchscreen shines for design and data-heavy tasks, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 chip delivers desktop-class performance in a sleek aluminum chassis.

Windows 11 Pro includes built-in BitLocker encryption. If you’re deploying BitLocker across your fleet, our guide on BitLocker vs. Device Encryption breaks down exactly which option is right for your business.

View the Dell XPS 15 on Dell.com →

3. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 — Best for Corporate Security & Mobility

• Processor: Intel vPro (13th/14th Gen)
• Display: 14″ 2.8K OLED
• Battery Life: Up to 17 hours
• Starting at: $1,600

No laptop better embodies corporate durability and security than the ThinkPad X1 Carbon. MIL-STD-810H tested for drops, temperature extremes, and vibration, it’s built for the frequent business traveler. The industry-leading keyboard, Intel vPro remote management, TPM 2.0, IR facial recognition, and optional privacy screen make it the preferred choice for IT-managed enterprise fleets.

IT admins: Pair the ThinkPad’s vPro capabilities with CIS Benchmark hardening for Windows 11 for a fully locked-down endpoint. Also worth reviewing: Group Policy settings every IT admin should configure for security.

View the ThinkPad X1 Carbon on Lenovo.com →

4. HP Elite Dragonfly G4 — Best for Remote Work & Hybrid Professionals

• Processor: Intel Core i7 (13th Gen)
• Display: 13.5″ (3:2 aspect ratio)
• Battery Life: Up to 20 hours
• Starting at: $1,700

The HP Elite Dragonfly G4 is tailor-made for the hybrid workforce. Weighing under 1kg and built with sustainable materials, it’s as environmentally conscious as it is business-capable. The 3:2 display gives you more vertical space for documents, and the AI-enhanced webcam with noise-canceling mic is a standout for back-to-back video calls.

With remote work here to stay, your home network security matters as much as your hardware. Our guide to cybersecurity for remote workers covers everything from VPNs to endpoint protection for professionals working outside the office.

View the HP Elite Dragonfly G4 on HP.com →

5. Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 — Best for a Clean Windows 11 Experience

• Processor: Intel Core Ultra
• Display: 13.5″ or 15″ PixelSense Touch
• Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
• Starting at: $1,299

Microsoft’s own laptop delivers the purest Windows 11 Pro experience available — no bloatware, instant updates, and a PixelSense touchscreen that’s genuinely useful for annotating documents. The keyboard is among the best on any Windows laptop, and built-in Copilot integration lets you summon AI assistance without a third-party add-on.

For businesses already on Microsoft 365, the Surface Laptop 6 integrates natively with Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint. If you’re evaluating your cloud storage setup, read our comparison: OneDrive vs. SharePoint vs. Google Drive — which is most secure for your business?

View the Surface Laptop 6 on Microsoft.com →

6. ASUS ExpertBook B9 OLED (2025) — Best for Executives & Business Travelers

• Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7
• Display: 14″ 2.8K OLED
• Battery Life: Up to 20 hours
• Starting at: $1,400

The ASUS ExpertBook B9 OLED is an engineering marvel — under 1kg, MIL-spec durability, a gorgeous 2.8K OLED panel, and 20 hours of real-world battery life. ASUS includes a physical webcam shield, TPM 2.0, and a smart fingerprint sensor as standard. It’s the executive’s machine of choice: powerful enough for demanding workflows, light enough to forget it’s in your bag.

Frequent flyers should also check out our piece on new airport technology and privacy concerns — your laptop and data face unique risks in transit that many professionals overlook.

View the ASUS ExpertBook B9 on ASUS.com →

7. Acer Swift Edge 16 (2025) — Best Budget Business Ultrabook

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7840U
• Display: 16″ 3.2K OLED
• Battery Life: Up to 13 hours
• Starting at: $999

Not every business needs to spend $1,800+ on a laptop. The Acer Swift Edge 16 delivers a large 3.2K OLED display, solid AMD Ryzen 7 performance, and a surprisingly thin chassis for under $1,000. It’s the smart pick for small businesses, solopreneurs, or anyone who wants a capable machine without the premium price tag.

Budget-friendly doesn’t have to mean security-lite. Our breakdown of Windows Defender vs. third-party security software shows how to get strong protection at no extra cost. And if you hit performance or setup issues, our simple solutions to common computer problems is a handy first stop.

View the Acer Swift Edge 16 on Acer.com →

What to Look For in a Business Laptop in 2025

Before you buy, look beyond the spec sheet and consider what actually matters for your day-to-day workflow:

• Performance: Go for the latest Intel Core Ultra, AMD Ryzen 7/9, or Apple Silicon chips. AI-accelerated NPU cores are increasingly relevant for Copilot and on-device AI tools.
• Portability: Under 1.5kg is ideal for travelers. Battery life above 15 hours means a full workday without hunting for a wall outlet.
• Security: Look for TPM 2.0, fingerprint scanner, IR facial recognition, and a physical webcam shutter. For a deeper look, see our guide on endpoint hardening with CIS Benchmarks.
• Webcam & mic: Essential for remote meetings. Aim for 1080p with AI noise cancellation — a poor webcam costs you credibility in virtual presentations.
• Ports: USB-C, Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and an SD card slot give you the flexibility to work from any environment.
• Durability: MIL-STD-810H certification and spill-resistant keyboards are worth the premium if you travel or work in varied conditions.
• Software ecosystem: Consider whether you need Windows 11 Pro for Group Policy management, or macOS for tight Apple device integration.

Once you’ve chosen your hardware, don’t overlook the threat landscape. Read about the most common Windows security threats in 2025 and our roundup of top cybersecurity threats every business should prepare for.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re in finance, design, consulting, or healthcare, the right business laptop is one of the highest-ROI investments you can make for your productivity. Every device on this list delivers strong performance, reliability, and the features professionals need to work effectively from anywhere.

Just remember: great hardware is only half the picture. Small businesses are prime targets for cyber attacks the moment they go online. Pair your new laptop with strong endpoint protection, a solid data backup solution, and — if you need local support — our team at Business PC Support in Sacramento is ready to help.

Need help choosing the right device for your business? Drop a comment below or reach out to our Sacramento IT team — we’ll help you pick the perfect work companion and get it secured from day one.