Best Laptops For IT Professionals

One can not recommend you the best laptop for IT professionals by his choice. Yes, it's true,
because choosing the right product depends on various factors, and you have to decide what
features you need on your laptop.

While preparing this article, I have been through numerous posts that exaggerate their point and
never bother what users want to see. Moreover, there isn't any comprehensive review of the
laptops designated for IT professionals.

There are various branches in the IT sector, and people can develop themselves as support
specialists, computer programmers, Technicians, system analysts, Network engineers, or data
scientists. Based on their field of work, they would require a laptop capable of running various
software without which they cannot proceed.

An IT professional gradually build a programming environment around him while experimenting

with new and updated software and customized settings/IDEs/languages that serve him the best.
Remember that laptops for IT business are not different from these. Initially entering the
Information Technology field, one has to deal with all necessary cables, dongles, converters, and
more equipment as demanded by the job.

How should I choose a laptop for IT?

You might always be carrying a bag filled with these types of equipment on a typical day. So a
lightweight laptop with long battery life and having numerous I/O ports is better at the start.
Moreover, the device you invest in should be upgradable as technology knows no bounds.
Various advanced software will get launched that will make human effort minimal.

What necessary ports should a laptop have for IT business?

Generally, an IT laptop should have an Optical Drive, serial port, 3 to 4 USB ports, VGA port,
HDMI port, Fire port, SD card slot, Ethernet port, and other ports an IT professional needs. One
can never find all these in any modern-day laptop, but an IT-designated laptop should contain
some of these.

A Laptop for IT professionals needs more power for running virtual labs and more ports for on-
site IT support.

Which laptop is best for IT jobs?

The Lenovo ThinkPad E15 would be a good choice for beginner IT Jobs as it combines power
and specs. For a rugged laptop, you should go for Panasonic ToughBook FZ-55 or Dell Precision
7550. For a modern processor with lots of features for IT students, Apple MacBook Air would be
perfect.

What laptop do professional programmers use?

Apple MacBook Pro or MacBook Air is the first choice for every programmer, as it can perform
every complex task effortlessly. HP Spectre X360 and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon are also
capable of programming jobs.

What is the best laptop for business 2021?

ASUS ZenBook, Dell XPS, and Apple MacBook Air are the best for business. The utmost
performance and better battery life, and a compact, trendy design describe a business laptop. You
can go for the touchscreen laptops listed below if you have the habit of working on the go.

Factors to consider for a best IT laptop

1) Ports and Connections-

Newer models cut on ports and drives to make the laptop slim and compact. Well, there are
enough models available in the market made especially for IT guys. A minimum of 4x USB
ports, an Optical drive, and a network card is a must. Although Thunderbolt and USB-C ports
nowadays handle most of the external connections required by IT folks.
An ethernet port comes in handy if you provide IT support from home to have a stable, decent
network connection to run LabTech or ScreenConnect.

2) CPU and Memory

If you administer servers remotely, you will need an efficient processor with fast booting SSD
memory with a wireless network AC card. Running virtual servers or playing around with virtual
machines also demands a better processor with enough memory.

3) Battery
Students who need to work on programming languages like Visual Basic, C, C++, HTML, and
XML need to experiment for long hours on their devices. A laptop with better computing power
also needs a decent battery backup to stay awake in college or work and never run out of charge
during practical sessions.

It's likely your studies revolve rounds a nested virtual environment. A Mac will help you
throughout the programming journey, though you might need Windows or Linux over time.

Let's explore the list of Best Laptops for IT Professionals.

1) Lenovo ThinkPad E15-

The Lenovo ThinkPad E15 tops the list and is considered the best laptop for IT professionals and
businesses. We cannot recommend the old laptops as they have an old processor and the modern
ones lack ports to keep up the trend of lightweight and portability.

The ThinkPad E15 lets you connect with anything at work, featuring ports like USB 3.1 Gen 2,
2x USB 3.1 Gen 1, HDMI port, USB 2.0, RJ45, Kensington lock slot, and Headphone/mic
combo jack. The WiFi connectivity allows fast and secure connection may it be a conference call
or streaming media.

The 16GB of DDR4 RAM is good to go for any IT business laptop, though you can select the
32GB one if you need some extra power in your hand. 1TB of SSD storage boots up in seconds
to deal with any software engineering tasks. The laptop provides a decent 11 hours of battery life
and is ultra-portable that you can carry on the go.

The ThinkPad E15 features a 15.6-inch FHD IPS Anti-glare LED display with a resolution of
1920x1080. The laptop is powered by a 10th Gen Intel Core Quad-core i5 10210U processor
with a base frequency of 1.6GHz, further upgradable to 4.2GHz using Turbo Boost Technology.
The Intel UHD graphics serve the purpose of graphics requirements efficiently without any
hassle.

Pros
Lots of ports, including USB-C, HDMI and RJ45

Enormous space 16GB plus 1TB

Superior 15.6-inch FHD display

Decent battery life of 11hrs

Fast processor with up to 4.2GHz base clock speed

Cons
No optical drive

Integrated graphics
Ineffective cooling mechanism

2) Dell XPS 15-

The most portable and reliable laptop among all Dell laptops is the Dell XPS 15, having
premium form factor, lightweight design, and lots of features packed into it. It might not have the
best ports but have enough power to never lag during intensive workloads.

This machine includes a 1x Thunderbolt 3 port, 2x USB 3.0, 1x HDMI Out 2.0, a Headset jack,
and a Media Card Reader. The best part of having an HDMI port is that you can connect an
external display monitor side by side and check all the documentation at a time while interacting
with a client. Though there is no optical drive or network port present, the USB-based adapters
do the work efficiently. Its connectivity includes WiFi 6 Killer and Bluetooth 5.0. Both of which
are quite productive at times.

This Dell product has 16GB of DDR4 RAM and 512GB of SSD as its storage unit that never
lags while running software like Labtech, Screenconnect, or VSphere client. The XPS 15
provides over 12 hours of battery life when tested on heavy performance, and it weighs approx
4.5lbs, a proper balance between weight and power suitable for IT guys.

The 15.6-inch 4K UHD OLED InfinityEdge display with a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels on
the XPS 15 is the best impressive plus point it has in it. The laptop is powered by powerful and
latest 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750 Hexa core processor clocking at a speed of 2.6Ghz, further
upgradable to 4.5GHz with 12MB cache and 12 threads. A dedicated Graphics unit of 4GB
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 is included that never lets a user feel down during graphics-
intensive tasks.

Pros
Superb immersive 4K display

Has ports like Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, and more

Enhanced security with fingerprint reader

Slender and sleek design with backlit keyboard

Latest processor with dedicated sterling graphics

Cons

Expensive

Moderate battery life

GPU throttles at very high loads

3) Microsoft Surface Pro 7-

The Surface Pro 7 is a worthy option to consider for an entry-level IT job and IT students who
are about to begin something after certifications. This businesslike laptop has specs that can
assist in any networking and server maintenance type jobs.

Next to the connectivity ports, the Surface Pro 7 has 1xUSB-C that lets you connect most
external devices from headphones to an external monitor and even allows you to charge. USB-A
port, 3.5mm headphone jack, 1x Surface Connect port, Surface Type Cover port, and
MicroSDXC card reader. It is compatible with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth wireless 5.0. The 5Mp
front-facing camera lets you attend Skype calls on the go or virtual meet a client at home. There
is also an 8MP rear-facing camera and Dual far-field studio mics embedded on Surface Pro 7.

This laptop cum tablet is ultra-slim and portable also allows faster multitasking at a decent price
range. It has a battery life of 12 hrs and weighs 1.7lbs, just more than a typical tablet. IT students
will like its productivity and portability alongside vast storage combining 16GB of DDR4 RAM
and 512GB SSD.

The Surface Pro 7 has a 12.3-inch PixelSense touchscreen display with a resolution of
2736x1824, 10 point multi-touch, and a 3:2 aspect ratio. The exceptional power of the laptop is
due to the presence of Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor with a max base clock speed of 3.9GHz
and has Intel Iris Plus Graphics rendering unit.
Pros
USB-C and USB-A ports let you connect multiple displays, docking stations, etc.

Slim and lightweight with perks of a tablet

Long-lasting battery approx 12hrs life

No lags or throttling performance

Cons
Reflective display screen with bezels

Separately sold keyboard and surface pen

4) HP Spectre X360-
This Newest HP Spectre X360 is the 2020 model of the acclaimed HP Spectre series. Consider
this laptop for jobs like on-site support with more ports that reduce the use of dongles and
adapters.

The Spectre X360 ensures stable super-speed data transfer thanks to the 2x USB-Type C
Thunderbolt-enabled port. There is also a USB-Type A 3.1 port, Display port, MicroSD card
slot, Audio/Microphone jack available on the machine. Intel WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5 combo that
supports Gigabit transfer speed are hard to see in most laptops.

The laptop weighs approx 2.80lbs, which might be problematic to use in tablet mode on the go.
But Spectre is portable and can be used in 4 different modes tablet, tent, stand, and laptop.
Approx 13 hours of battery life is pretty decent for an IT professional. Moreover, its storage
includes 16GB of DDR4 RAM and 1TB of SSD storage.

The Spectre X360 features a 13.3-inch Full HD IPS micro-edge WLED-backlit touchscreen
display with a resolution of 1920x1080. The screen support NBT and an active stylus pen that
lets you work seamlessly in tablet mode. This magnificent display with fast booting speed of
SSD powered by 11th gen Intel Core i7 processor with an integrated Intel iris Xe graphics
chipset makes it a strong competitor on the list.

Pros
It has a superior display and is touchscreen-enabled with 360 degrees hinge.

Lots of ports, including USB-Type C with thunderbolt support

It has premium sensors like temperature and IR thermal.

Cons
No optical drive and HDMI included

Stiff touchpad

Expensive in comparison to similar specs laptops.

5) Lenovo ThinkPad X1-Carbon-

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon surpasses the ThinkPad E15 in features, size, and generations.
This model is reliable, portable with plenty of ports, and incorporates the best hardware suitable
for IT administrators to work on the go.

As said above, ThinkPad X1 Carbon has plenty of ports that comprise 2xUSB-C 3.2, Intel
Thunderbolt 3(DisplayPort and Data Transfer), 2xUSB 3.2, HDMI 1.4, Network extension for
Ethernet, side mechanical docking, and Headphone/mic combo. The WiFi 6 Wireless establishes
fast and reliable connections even when many devices are attached to the network.

ThinkPad X1 Carbon displays an outstanding battery life of about 19.5 hours on average usage.
The machine is ultra-light and portable that that weighs only 2.4lbs. Next to the storage, the
laptop has 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 1TB SSD that boots and loads faster than expected.
ThinkPad X1 carbon has an FHD 14-inch display with a resolution of 1920x1080. The laptop has
the latest 10th gen Intel Core i7-10510U processor with a base clock speed of 1.80GHz, further
upgradable to 4.9GHz. Integrated Intel UHD graphics on it renders graphics needs effectively.

Pros
Excellent battery life of over 19 hours

Ports like HDMI, USB, and Thunderbolt 4

Flawless design and display

Cons
No OLED screen option

No SD or microSD card slot

A bit expensive product from Lenovo

6) Apple MacBook Pro-

The brand Apple has been leaving its footprint in almost every field of computing. Apple
MacBook Pro has all the features to become one of the best laptops for IT professionals. The
MacBook with an older version is better for IT business than the newer ones as newer
generations provide more power at the cost of a slim design(fewer ports).

The newer models of the MacBook Pro lack an Ethernet port and optical drive, so it is not ideal
for Linux engineers and IT managers. IT students will find it very useful as the MacBook also
excels in personal, programming, and gaming uses. The WiFi 6 ensures stable connectivity to
keep the MacBook always connected for on-site support and client meeting. The 2x
Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports are versatile enough for data transfer, charging, and video output.
The MacBook has an excellent battery life of over 20 hours, the longest in any Mac. There is
8GN of RAM and 512GB SSD storage on the MacBook that boots faster than any typical laptop
of similar specifications. The MacBook weighs only 3lbs and has security features like Touch
Bar and Touch ID.

The stunning 13.3-inch LED-Backlit IPS display with a resolution of 2560x1600 can impress
any laptop enthusiast. The M1 chip designed by Apple further boosted the CPU, GPU, and
machine learning. The 8-core CPU rips through any complex work, and the 8-core integrated
GPU renders outstanding graphics horsepower.

Pros
Excellent Retina Display with slimmer bezels

Long battery life of over 20 hours

Powerful CPU and GPU with the M1 chip

Thunderbolt/USB 4, USB 3.1 ports with high-speed data transfer

Cons
Lacks microSD slot, USB-type A port

Expensive as configured

7) Dell Precision 7550-

Dell Precision is a strong competitor in the race of best laptops for IT professionals. Released in
early 2020, this model is better than previous ones in terms of design and ports.

Precision 7550 has Intel WiFi 6 dual-band wireless connectivity alongside Bluetooth 5, which
secures every wireless connection. The laptop has plenty of ports which constitutes 2x
Thunderbolt 3 ports, SmartCard reader, 2xUSB 3.2 Type-A, SD card slot, Audio jack, and a
Noble lock slot. Further on the rear side, there is a Mini DisplayPort, HDMI video outputs,
Ethernet jack, and AC adapter connector.

The Precision 7550 renders a battery power of around 9 hours, slightly less in that steep price
range. Its storage components include 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. Although we expect
something more at this cost, its performance outshines its disadvantages. Also, it is not always
easy to carry around as it weighs more than 5lbs and is suitable for desk jobs.

The Dell decorated Precision 7550 with a 15.6-inch FHD wide-angle display with a resolution of
1920x1080, an anti-glare screen with a 45% NTSC color, and a 60Hz refresh rate. Being
powered by an Intel Core i7-10750H processor with Hexa cores and 2.6GHz base clock speed, it
delivers the utmost performance. NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000 graphics unit with 6GB GDDR6
memory is embedded to meet the graphics demands.

Pros
Superior display with a wide-angle view and 60Hz refresh rate

Its powerful processor and graphics serve various purposes.

Plenty of ports, including Thunderbolt and HDMI.

Cons
Quite expensive

Non-touch display and nonbacklit keyboard

Less SSD storage, 1TB SSD are expected at this price.

8) Panasonic ToughBook FZ-55

The Panasonic ToughBook FZ-55 is rugged of the rugged laptop for IT professionals who wish
to carry a small briefcase with infinite power along with them wherever they go. It is like a small
tank of computing that remains unbeatable by rugged laptops from Getac and Dell.
The ToughBook has more ports than most other laptops. It has 2xUSB-A, Thunderbolt 4 USB-C,
Optional Rugged Fischer USB, MicroSDXC, HDMI, Optional VGA, Ethernet, Serial port,
Audio In/out, Nano-sim, Optional DVD Drive and Blu-ray drive. There are strong WiFi and
Bluetooth connections available alongside 4G LTE and GPS.

The excellent battery life of 19 hours, and with the 2nd battery, you'll get 38 hours of battery.
The model weighs approx 4.99lbs and has a built-in carrying handle for portability. This model
of ToughBook 55 has 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage. The ToughBook 55 design is such
that users can remove six expansion areas, including the 3xPAK areas.

Next to its display, it has a 14-inch FHD 1000 NIT bright touchscreen with a resolution of
1920x1080. The processor includes Intel i5-8365U with a base clock speed 1.6GHz, and an
integrated Intel Graphics meets the graphics demands.

Pros
Rugged, military-standard durable

With the two batteries, up to 38hrs of battery life

Touchscreen and bright display

Plenty of ports as required in an IT job

Cons
No separate numeric keypad for fast input

A small touchpad creates difficulty at work

Less memory in comparison to others on the list.

9) Apple MacBook Air

IT professionals can also go for another great option from Apple, its the Apple MacBook Air,
almost equivalent to the MacBook pro except for a few changes. The newer models surpass older
versions with more ports at the cost of more features.

The MacBook Air has 2xThunderbolt/USB 4 ports that support charging, DisplayPort,
Thunderbolt 3 with high-speed data transfers, and USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports. The WiFi 6 wireless
networking and Bluetooth 5.0 are also enabled.

The MacBook provides a whole day-long 18 hrs of battery life, which is very useful for IT
professionals to maximize their input. Moreover, it weighs only 2.8lbs which makes it highly
portable for the everyday commute. The MacBook Air has 16GB of fast RAM and 512GB of
SSD storage. It can deal with a great lot of work fast and efficiently.

The MacBook Air comes with a 13.3-inch LED-Backlit display with IPS technology and a
stunning resolution of 2560x1600 at 227 PPI. The MacBook claimed its expertise with its
advanced Apple M1 chip, which integrates CPU, GPU, and machine learning at its best. The 8-
core CPU and 8-core GPU can perform any complex task without any fuss.

Pros
Superb retina display and Facetime HD camera

18hrs of day-long battery retains enough power after office

Robust connectivity options and high-speed data transfer ports

Cons
No Type-c ports available on it

The storage capacity is limited

Hardware up-gradation is limited too with this MacBook.

10) ASUS ZenBook 13

ASUS ZenBook 13 is the final product on the list of best laptops for IT professionals and IT
students. It has plenty of ports with extraordinary power and performance that will help you at
every stage of your job.

Though compact, The ZenBook delivers unrivaled performance and has lots of ports. It includes
HDMI, Thunderbolt 3 USB-C, USB-Type A, and MicroSD card reader. The ASUS WiFi Master
Technology lets you enjoy faster and reliable connections even from a greater distance.
MyASUS tool enables you to link your PC to mobile devices for easy and fast multitasking.

ASUS ZenBook 13 provides over 18 hrs of battery life on a single charge and charges up to 60%
within 40 mins. It is compact, lightweight, and portable, weighing just 2.45lbs and 13.9mm thin
it becomes an ideal travel companion for IT guys. This machine is Military-grade durability-
tested which is hard to believe, right? Moreover, its storage includes 16GB DDR4 RAM and
1TB of SSD. Fast booting SSD lets you run all updated software hassle-free.

The laptop features a 13.3-inch FHD Wide-View 4-way Nanoedge bezel display with a
resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. The ZenBook 13 is powered by the latest 11th Gen Intel Core
i7-1165G7 Quad-Core processor, clocking at a speed of 4.7GHz. Its graphics unit includes Intel
Iris X graphics that handles all graphics-intensive tasks.

Pros
Plenty of ports, including Thunderbolt, HDMI, USB-C, and USB-A

Innovative ScreenPad with face recognition camera

Better battery backup up to 18 hrs

Military-grade durable being compact and thin.

Cons
Reflective display, no anti-glare quality

No dedicated graphics for 4k editing or gaming

Speakers not up to the mark need improvement

Conclusion-
So this was the comprehensive review of the best laptops for IT professionals. I hope you liked
the article and found the best product of your choice. A variety of features from various brands
with a wide range of prices you'll get in this article. Make sure to read user reviews who have
already used the product before buying a product.