2016: The best high-end laptops for business users
If you're looking for a top of the range, high-specification laptop to suit your business needs, check out ZDNet's recommendations.
Lenovo ThinkPad P40 Yoga
Lenovo's ThinkPad P40 Yoga is a multimedia station designed for the creative business user. Available in Q1, the high-performance and versatile device -- able to work in laptop, stand, tent and tablet modes -- is capable of running graphical and creative software requiring high amounts of memory and is a sure bet for those in the digital art and graphics industry.
Specs at a glance: Up to 2560x1440 touch IPS display | Up to 2560x1440 touch IPS display | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD storage | Intel Core i7 processor | Nvidia Quadro graphics| 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD storage | Intel Core i7 processor | Nvidia Quadro graphics
Operating system: Windows 10 Home/Pro 64
Price: $1,399
Via: ZDNet
Interested? ZDNet: Lenovo launches ThinkPad P40 Yoga workstation, eyes creative pros
Microsoft's Surface Book
Microsoft said several years ago it wished to replace the laptop with a tablet, and as part of this crusade, the latest Surface model is a hybrid PC design designed to lure business users. The PC runs on the latest Windows OS, boasts top-of-the-line specs and includes a detachable display for versatile business use.
Specs at a glance: 13.5" PixelSense 3000 x 2000 touchscreen display | 8GB or 16GB RAM | Up to 1TB SSD storage | Intel Core i5 or i7 processor | i5: Intel HD graphics or i5/i7: NVIDIA GeForce graphics | TPM chip for enterprise security | Surface Pen included
Operating system: Windows 10 Pro
Price: $3,199
Via: Microsoft
Interested? ZDNet: Microsoft starts shipping 1 TB Surface Book, Surface Pro 4
Microsoft Surface Pro 4
Corporate users who are satisfied with a Microsoft tablet alone may wish to go for the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 instead. While not such a spec-heavy model unless you pay for the higher tiers, the tablet range still remains a firm favorite in the enterprise. The Pro 4 is incredibly light at only 786g and will likely suit business users on the road.
Specs at a glance: 12.3" PixelSense 2736 x 1824 display | 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB RAM | Up to 1TB SSD storage | Intel Core m3, i5, or i7 processor | TPM chip for enterprise security | m3 Intel HD graphics 515/ i5 Intel HD graphics 520/i7 Intel Iris graphics
Operating system: Windows 10 Pro
Price: $899 -- $2,699
Via: Microsoft
Interested? ZDNet: Microsoft starts shipping 1 TB Surface Book, Surface Pro 4
Samsung ATIV Book 9 Pro
Samsung's ATIV Book 9 Pro is another option in the lineup for business users seeking a new PC. While the PC doesn't have the staying power of the MacBook Pro, the high-end laptop sports a 4K display and is encased within a sturdy aluminum chassis to ward off wear and tear.
Specs at a glance: 15.6-inch 4K 3,840 x 2,160 touch display | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD storage | Intel Core i7 processor | Nvidia GeForce GTX 950M graphics | 6.5 hours battery life
Operating system: Windows 10
Price: $1,499.99
Via: Samsung
Interested? ZDNet: Windows 10 chase: Now Samsung unveils 4K display ATIV Book 9 Pro and new 2-in-1
CNET: Samsung's pricey new Ativ Book 9 Pro and Spin look like worthy MacBook competitors
HP Spectre x360 15-inch touch laptop
The 15" variant of the HP Spectre x360 laptop range not only sports specifications high enough to keep the average business user happy and a gorgeous 4K screen, but also will appeal to users who enjoy decent, rich sound thanks to the addition of four Bang & Olufsen speakers.
The flip display also makes the PC comfortable for use as a tablet or for presentations and meetings on a desk, and will likely appeal to business users looking for a larger, more substantial laptop.
Specs at a glance: Up to 4K 3,840x2,160 display | 8GB to 16GB RAM | Up to 512GB SSD storage | Intel Core i5 to Core i7 processor | 9.5 -- 13-hour battery life | Quad speakers | Iris graphics
Operating system: Windows 10 Home/Pro 64
Price: $1,149
Via: HP
Interested? CNET review
Dell Latitude 13 7000 Series 2-in-1 PC
Dell's Latitude 13 7000 is a 2-in-1 hybrid laptop which will be enjoyed by business users who need good specs, a large keyboard and security. The 13.3" laptop can be detached from its keyboard to act as a tablet, and can also be customised to come with fingerprint and SmartCard readers, as well as NFC technology. In addition, the Latitude can connect wirelessly to projectors via Intel's Pro Wireless Display technology.
Specs at a glance: 13.3" touch display | 4GB to 8GB RAM | Up to 512GB SSD storage | Intel Core dual-core M-5Y71 0.8GHz -- 1.2GHz processor | 10.5 hours battery life
Operating system: Windows 10 Pro
Price: $1199+
Via: Dell
Apple MacBook Pro
An old favorite -- although outstripped in power by some rival PCs -- Apple's MacBook Pro often appeals to business users who prefer the OS X ecosystem, stylish design, and power packed into a portable machine. The MacBook Pro has been refreshed with a new lineup including Retina displays, flash storage and improved battery life.
Specs at a glance: 13" or 15" display, up to 5 million pixels | 16GB RAM | Up to 1TB flash storage | 2.5 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 to 3.1 GHz dual-core Intel i7 processor | 9 - 10 hours of battery life | Retina display
Operating system: OS X El Capitan
Price: 13" starting price: $1299 | 15" starting price: $1999
Via: Apple
Interested? ZDNet: Apple
CNET Review: Apple's updated MacBook Pro with Force Touch is the new no-compromise MacBook
HP EliteBook Folio G1
If style is important as well as functionality, the latest in HP's business laptop lineup, the EliteBook Folio G1, is a great option. The laptop is encased within in all-aluminium CNC-cut chassis, measuring just 12.4mm and weighing less than 2.2lb. Business users will also appreciate the 180-degree piano hinge -- while not as flexible as 360-degree variants, still gives viewing flexibility in the workplace.
Specs at a glance: Up to 12.5" 4k (UHD) 2,304x1,440 touch display | Intel Core-M vPro processor | 10 hours battery life | Bang & Olufsen-tuned speakers | TPM enterprise security
Operating system: Windows 10 Pro
Price: $999+
Via: HP
Interested? ZDNet: CES 2016: HP Inc unveils latest-generation slimline EliteBooks
Dell XPS 15
Available in Q1, Dell's XPS 15 is an option for business users after long battery life. While not as light as other laptops, the device sports batteries which improve longevity, as well as an impressive 4K screen.
It's a pity you cannot upgrade the RAM at purchase to higher levels, but this is still a sturdy option for those which need a rugged laptop for the road.
Specs at a glance: 4K Ultra HD 3840x2160 touch display | 4GB or 8GB RAM | Up to 512GB SSD storage | 2.1GHz Core i3 to 3.2GHz Core i7 processor | 11 to 15 hours battery life
Operating system: Windows 8.1
Price: Up to $2,349
Via: Dell
Interested? ZDNet: CES 2015: Dell refreshes high-end XPS business laptop line
Lenovo ThinkPad T450 Ultrabook
One of the best high-end options for business users looking for a rugged but portable machine is Lenovo's ThinkPad T450. One of the latest in the well-known ThinkPad line, the ultrabook is secured via a biometric fingerprint reader and is equipped with an array of ports useful for corporate users.
Specs at a glance: Up to 14" FHD 1920 x 1080 touch display | Up to 12GB RAM | 1TB HD storage to 512GB SSD | Intel Core i5 to i7 processor | 3-button trackpad | 17 hours battery life
Operating system: Windows 8.1
Price: $879.99+
Via: Lenovo