Five things to look for when buying a laptop for your small business
For most of the last two decades, a business laptop lived on a worker’s desk and rarely left the building. Today that assumption no longer holds. According to Gallup , more than three-quarters (78%) of employees now work fully or partially remotely. Gartner expects businesses to keep computing devices roughly 15% longer than in recent years, due to cost, so the hardware that SMBs buy now has to…
In today's work landscape, most employees work remotely at least part-time. Consequently, business laptops are now expected to withstand significant movement and travel. Gartner projects that AI PCs will make up more than half of all PC sales by 2026, highlighting the need for laptops to balance higher processing power with mobility.
Small business owners should evaluate several key features before purchasing laptops for their workforce. Powerful processing capabilities are essential, as most employees run multiple applications simultaneously, requiring a robust processor to avoid lag and sluggish performance.
Durability is another crucial factor, as laptops are frequently dropped, jostled, and even exposed to coffee spills. Eight out of ten small businesses report that employees drop or mishandle their devices, with one-quarter experiencing significant downtime due to hardware malfunctions. Reinforced chassis, spill-resistant keyboards, and components designed for temperature and impact tolerance are now standard features.
Portability comes into play when considering the various devices employees use to connect laptops on the move, such as monitors, docks, and peripherals. Ports that wear out quickly can lead to serious support issues, making it vital to choose laptops with durable connections.
Battery life is particularly important for employees working from coffee shops, trains, and shared workspaces without constant access to power outlets. A laptop should support a full day of work on a single charge.
Lastly, lightweight design is critical for employees who frequently travel with their laptops. A lightweight, comfortable display with a bright, high-contrast screen and strong color accuracy reduces eyestrain across various lighting conditions, keeping employees productive throughout the day.
ASUS's ExpertBook Ultra laptop exemplifies these criteria, featuring a lightweight magnesium-aluminum chassis resistant to daily wear and tear, 26 hours of battery life, rapid charging, and a powerful Intel® Core™ Series 3 processor for smooth multi-tasking. As small businesses strategically invest in durable, mobile, and comfortable laptops, they can minimize device downtime and empower their teams to work from any location.
Written by urgent.news from Computerworld's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.