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The top picks for 2020

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Complaining about the office can be therapeutic. Constant criticism of the temperature, space, and snack selection is something that binds a workforce and helps everyone to get through the day. It’s really not that bad, though.

Sure, the office has its faults, but you’ll notice all the little comforts that it affords as soon as you start working from home. Obviously it’s nice to roll out of bed and join a meeting in your pyjamas, but you’ll quickly realise that the grass isn’t greener at home.

Working from home can actually be a real struggle, especially if you’re not fully prepared. A constant supply of snacks and drinks is a good place to start, but you also need to invest in all the devices and products that help you to work efficiently in the office. That means you’re going to have consider dropping some cash on a desk chair, keyboard, mouse, set of headphones, and even a laptop.

You could try and carry on with a basic and uncomfortable set-up, but old habits die hard, and complaining is an inevitability. Except this time, there may not be anyone to complain to, and you’ll just be shouting at the wall, with nothing but your echo and maybe a disapproving pet for company.

What is the most important device for your home office?

Everyone is going to have different priorities when it comes to kitting out a home office with essentials products. For some, a chair is going to be top of the list. You will be sitting on the thing all day, so we get it.

If you expect to be working in a noisy environment, then a set of noise-cancelling headphones is going to come in handy. Likewise, if you suffer from joint pain, an ergonomic keyboard and mouse combo should be something to seriously consider. We understand that everyone has different needs, but the most important device for your home office is a laptop. Sorry, this isn’t up for debate.

Unless your employer has provided a laptop that you can take home, you could probably benefit from upgrading to something that can handle your workload. Fortunately, there are absolutely loads of impressive devices on the market that offer power, performance, and portability. It’s simply a matter of finding a model that works for you.

What is the best laptop for working from home?

It’s always nice to have options when making a purchase, but too much choice can pose a problem. How are you supposed to know which laptop is best for you when everything looks good in its own way? It’s important to do your own research, but we’ve done most of the hard work and lined up a selection of your best options to make the whole process much easier.

We’ve tracked down the very best laptops from top brands like Apple, Dell, Microsoft, and more. These devices have been chosen because they offer everything that you need for working from home, with something for every budget. We’re not going to pick a favourite, because all of these devices offer features that improve the remote working experience.

It’s down to you to find something that offers exactly what you need for the lowest price. We can only point you in the right direction.

These are the best laptops for working from home in 2020.


LED-backlit Retina display • Up to 11 hours wireless battery life • Touch Bar and Touch ID

Hard to beat on power and performance, but comes with a massive price tag.

It doesn’t get much better than the Apple MacBook Pro, and if you can get over the massive price tag, this is probably your best option for working from home. It has everything you need to work efficiently, and a whole lot more to keep you entertained when the day is done.
The MacBook Pro comes packed with a ninth-generation 6-core Intel Core i7 processor, AMD Radeon Pro 5300M graphics card with GDDR6 memory, six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers, four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, and a stunning 16-inch Retina display with True Tone technology.
You also get a clever Touch Bar and up to 11 hours of battery life, so nothing should slow you down. 

Durable build • Decent battery life • Compact

Not the cheapest • 4K display isn’t the best

Not the cheapest laptop on this list, but it’s one of the best devices for portability and durability.

Dell XPS 13

Chassis is designed with high build quality that’s stronger and stiffer than most of the competition.

Dell has a really great reputation for delivering durable laptops that get the basics right, and the Dell XPS 13 laptop is no different.
This 13-inch laptop is designed with precision engineered details, from high quality materials to minimal footprint, with impressive performance from the 10th Gen InteI® Core™ processors. Everything is intended to provide maximum strength and minimal weight, allowing you to work, game, and stream in total comfort.
It’s not the cheapest device on this list, and it’s not perfect. The 4K dispay is not on the same level as the MacBook Pro, but it’s still something to seriously consider if you want a sturdy and powerful laptop that won’t weight you down.  

Solid battery life • Responsive keyboard • Lightweight and portable • Colour options

Needs more ports • Expensive

The most serious competition for the MacBook Pro, with a set of features that really impresses.

Microsoft is always trying to keep up with Apple when it comes to advanced technology, and the Surface Laptop 3 stands shoulder to shoulder with the MacBook Pro.
It’s a seriously thin and lightweight laptop, with up to 11.5 hours of battery life, USB-C and USB-A ports for connecting to displays, docking stations, accessory charging, and improved speed and performance to do whatever you want.
Whether you are creating, planning, presenting, catching up, or relaxing after a long day, the Surface Laptop 3 can handle anything you throw at it. The enhanced processors are ideal for multitasking, and the interactive touchscreen and enhanced Studio Mics make everything that little bit easier when juggling jobs and collaborating.

Fairly cheap • Battery life • Lightweight

Not the most sleek or stylish • Lacking the most advanced features

Can’t compete with the most advanced laptops, but offers great value for money considering its battery life and lightweight frame.

Acer Aspire 5

This laptops stays at your side all day with up to 11 hours of battery life.

Apple, Dell, and Microsoft have some seriously impressive laptops on offer, but not everyone is willing to drop over £1,000 on a device. Fortunately, Acer has a number of cheaper alternatives that still provide everything you need to work for home.
The Acer Aspire 5 is a seriously slender laptop with a smooth and tactile finish. It can stay at your side all day with up to 11 hours of battery life, and sports a 15.6-inch FHD IPS display with Acer Colour Intelligence. 
You might not get all of the advanced features that come with some of the pricier options on the market, but apps still load quickly, graphics perform well, and multitasking isn’t a problem thanks to the 8th Gen Intel Core processor. You can also work more effectively with the Precision Touchpad and log in with a single, secure touch via Windows Hello using the embedded fingerprint reader.

Powerful processor and graphics card • Touchscreen • Transfer files between your notebook and phone wirelessly

Pricey • Hinge needs work

A serious laptop for those who are looking for a device that ticks every box.

The Huawei MateBook X Pro is an ultra-slim and full-featured 13.9-inch notebook with an all-new 3K touch-enabled Huawei FullView Display and 91% screen-to-body ratio. We know the most important thing to consider should always be performance, but the look of a laptop is also important, and this is a serious looker.
This isn’t to say that this laptop is lacking when it comes to performance. It’s powered by an 8th Generation Intel Core i7/i5 processor, and boasts a long-lasting 57.4Wh battery and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce MX250 with 2 GB GDDR5. It also has an impressive Dolby Atmos Sound System with a quad speaker set-up, plus a one-touch power button to log-in rapidly. 
It’s difficult to find anything wrong with this laptop, but some reviewers have commented that the hinge could be improved. It’s also expensive, but this makes sense when you consider everything that it offers.

Cheaper MacBook Pro alternative • True Tone technology • Fast SSD storage • Long battery life

Only USB-C ports included

A great alternative to the pricier MacBook Pro, with many of the same impressive features for less.

Apple MacBook Air

Retina display with True Tone technology makes for an immersive experience.

Everyone wants a MacBook Pro, but not everyone can afford the pricey device. If you can’t stretch your budget for the Pro, we recommend investing in the Apple MacBook Air. You still get most of the same features, just without breaking the bank.  
The MacBook Air has a 13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone technology, Backlit Magic Keyboard and Touch ID, tenth-generation Intel Core i3 processor, fast SSD storage, stereo speakers with wider stereo sound, and Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports. You also get up to 11 hours of battery life, so you don’t need to worry about charging when you’re working from home.
The Force Touch trackpad is another reason to invest. It’s large and accurate, and features haptic feedback for a uniform clicking sensation no matter where your finger rests. It’s small details like this that make all the difference.

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