Hardware

Photos: The best business laptops of 2019

By // January 18, 2019, 9:35 AM PST // bviglia

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  • ​Is it time for a new laptop?

    Time is tough on computers, especially portable units that travel with professionals.

    If you're in the market for a new computer, these 16 new and upcoming laptops might be just what you're looking for--no matter your mobile computing needs.

    Note: Many of the laptops in this gallery have yet to be released. Pricing and availability details are included where possible, and the gallery will be updated when more information is available.

    SEE: Smartphones and mobile tech: More must-read coverage (TechRepublic on Flipboard)

    Image: Arijuhani, Getty Images/iStockphoto

  • ​HP Spectre x360 15

    Not only is the latest version of the HP Spectre x360 hybrid laptop the first ever 15" laptop with an OLED screen, it also comes with a feature that business travelers dealing with confidential information will love: A privacy mode. Simply tap F1 and the screen will "appear dark to everyone but you."

    It also has a camera kill switch that disables the webcam with one quick flip and a fingerprint reader touchscreen. This laptop is compatible with HP's line of digital pens.

    The new HP Spectre x360 15 ships in March 2019. Pricing data isn't available.

    SEE: Smartphones and mobile tech: More must-read coverage (TechRepublic on Flipboard)

    Image: Sarah Tew/CNET

  • ​HP Elitebook x360 830 G5

    HP didn't design its Elitebook x360 830 G5 for those who want a fancy-looking machine--the company built it for professionals who want performance.

    The stand-out feature of the new Elitebook is its 100-nit screen. To put that in context, most high-end smartphones top out in the mid-500 nit range, making the Elitebook more like looking at an HD television than a laptop.

    The Elitebook also features a built-in privacy screen like that on the HP Spectre x360.

    The HP Elitebook x360 830 G5 ships in March 2019. Pricing information isn't available.

    SEE: Smartphones and mobile tech: More must-read coverage (TechRepublic on Flipboard)

    Image: HP

  • ​Acer Swift 7

    The Acer Swift 7 appears to be trying to give the MacBook Air a run for its money. The Swift 7 has a screen-to-body ratio of 92%, weighs less than two pounds, and has an 8th-generation Intel Core i7-8500Y, just like the Air. It's priced similarly too, starting at $1,700 USD.

    The Acer Swift 7 will be available in May 2019.

    SEE: Smartphones and mobile tech: More must-read coverage (TechRepublic on Flipboard)

    Image: Sarah Tew/CNET

  • ​Asus Zenbook S13

    The Zenbook S13 has what Asus claims is a world-leading 97% screen-to-body ratio. The bezel on this one is so small that Asus had to add a slight bump to fit the camera on the top of the screen.

    The S13's other hardware specs are impressive as well: It has an Nvidia GeForce MX150 graphics card, 8th-gen Intel Core processors, and up to 16 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD storage.

    Pricing hasn't been announced, nor has a release date for this ultraportable laptop.

    SEE: Smartphones and mobile tech: More must-read coverage (TechRepublic on Flipboard)

    Image: Sarah Tew/CNET

  • ​Asus Zenbook 14

    If you don't want to wait for the Zenbook S13, the Zenbook 14 might be what you're looking for. It's essentially a slightly larger S13 and has additional configuration options since there's more space to squeeze in hardware.

    The Zenbook 14 should ship in March or April 2019 and is priced to start at $750 USD.

    SEE: Smartphones and mobile tech: More must-read coverage (TechRepublic on Flipboard)

    Image: Sara Tew/CNET

  • ​Asus Studiobook S W700

    Are you more concerned with workstation-like performance and less concerned with portability in your business laptop? If so, consider the Asus' Studiobook S W700.

    This 17" monster of a laptop has impressive specs that our sister site CNET covers extensively in its CES 2019 Asus laptop article.

    Pricing and release date information isn't yet available.

    SEE: Smartphones and mobile tech: More must-read coverage (TechRepublic on Flipboard)

    Image: Sarah Tew/CNET

  • ​Gigabyte Aero 15-series

    Gigabyte is known for making high-end gaming laptops, so it's no surprise the Gigabyte Aero 15-X9 and 15-Y9 models are designed for gaming.

    What makes Aero laptops good business machines is their interesting use of Microsoft Azure AI to optimize performance. Azure keeps an eye on computing needs and scales the use of GPU or CPU accordingly.

    The Aero series has top-end hardware too; it can house up to an Intel i9, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080, and 64 GB of RAM. If you're looking for a business machine that can handle heavy computing tasks, these models might be good options.

    Pricing and availability details are not available for the Aero 15-X9 or the 15-Y9.

    SEE: Smartphones and mobile tech: More must-read coverage (TechRepublic on Flipboard)

    Image: Gigabyte

  • ​Samsung Notebook Flash

    Don't let it's toy-like appearance fool you--the Samsung Notebook Flash is perfectly capable of meeting your day-to-day work computing needs.

    This fabric-textured laptop with rounded keys might look and feel more like a Chromebook concept model, but Samsung actually managed to run Windows 10 Home on this 4 GB RAM, 64 GB eMMC-sporting piece of hardware.

    The price is especially nice: $350 USD. The Samsung Notebook Flash starts shipping at the end of January 2019.

    SEE: Smartphones and mobile tech: More must-read coverage (TechRepublic on Flipboard)

    Image: James Martin/CNET

  • ​Samsung Notebook 9 Pro

    Samsung's newest flagship laptop, the Notebook 9 Pro, is a MacBook look-alike that comes with a full-sized Samsung Active Pen for use on its touchscreen display. It also has a 360-degree hinge that allows it to be used as a tablet as well.

    Pricing and availability has not been released.

    SEE: Smartphones and mobile tech: More must-read coverage (TechRepublic on Flipboard)

    Image: James Martin/CNET

  • ​Samsung Notebook 9 Pen

    If you'd prefer the more portable Samsung S Pen to go with your 2-in-1 Samsung hybrid laptop, the Notebook 9 Pen is your model.

    Samsung is advertising the Notebook 9 Pen as having a 15-hour battery life and quick charging capabilities, which will make it great for on-the-go creative professionals who need a long-lasting, versatile laptop.

    The Notebook 9 Pen will be available in 13.3" and 15" versions. There's no release date or pricing available for either version.

    SEE: Samsung unveils new Notebook 9 Pen 2-in-1: Bigger size, better battery (ZDNet)

    Image: CNET

  • ​Huawei MateBook 13

    Trying to reproduce the MacBook Air is something every laptop manufacturer seems to try at some point--the MateBook 13 is Chinese computer company Huawei's attempt at doing just that.

    Huawei has said the MateBook 13 is 6% smaller than the newest MacBook Air, and it compares in other hardware-related ways as well. The MateBook 13 will be available in two models: An i7 version with a discrete graphics card and an i5 one without.

    Both models will be available at the end of January, with the i5 version starting at around $1,000 USD, and the MateBook i7 starting at around $1,300 USD.

    SEE: CES 2019: Huawei challenges Apple's MacBook Pro with the ultra-slim touchscreen MateBook 13 (ZDNet)

    Image: Sarah Tew/CNET

  • ​Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

    It wouldn't be a Lenovo lineup without a rehash of the classic ThinkPad design, and this year the X1 Carbon is showing off a new take on the classic look.

    The ThinkPad X1 Carbon has a thinner, lighter body, and its latest version, according to our sister site CNET, will continue to be a leader in business computing: "Lenovo's ThinkPad line remains the gold standard for the corporate crowd and there's no reason to believe that the new X1 models will do anything to disrupt that legacy."

    The ThinkPad X1 Carbon will be available in June 2019 at a price of $1,710 USD.

    SEE: Lenovo outlines ThinkPad X1 Carbon and ThinkPad X1 Yoga at CES 2019 (ZDNet)

    Image: CNET

  • ​Lenovo Yoga S940

    The Lenovo Yoga S940 doesn't beat other ultraportables in terms of hardware, but it does offer interesting features that make it stand out.

    First off, it's the only laptop in the world to have a curved glass screen that disappears right into the bezel. This doesn't add functionality, but it does make the screen edge vanish instead of abruptly ending at the bezel.

    The Yoga S940 also has an integrated AI designed to be used when the laptop is connected to external monitors. When enabled, the AI can reportedly tell where you're glancing, and will move relevant windows to match your eyeline.

    The Lenovo Yoga S940 will be available in May and will be priced around $1,500.

    SEE: Smartphones and mobile tech: More must-read coverage (TechRepublic on Flipboard)

    Image: Tyler Lizenby/CNET

  • ​Lenovo Legion series

    Although Lenovo's Legion laptops are designed for gaming, the devices aren't restricted to that use. Legion laptops are packed with the latest Nvidia GeForce mobile graphics processors, with the RTX 2060, RTX 2070 Max-Q, and RTX 2018 Max-Q all available as options.

    With a lot of processing power and a lower price than some other high-performance laptops, a Lenovo Legion might be a great buy for those who want to squeeze GPU performance out of their laptop without having to pay a premium.

    The Legion comes in two models: The Y740 (available in 15" and 17" options) and the Y540 (only available in 15" with an Nvidia RTX 2060). The Y740 is pricey--its 15" model will start at $1,750 USD when it's released in February 2019.

    If you wait for the Y540's May 2019 release, you can still get a high-performance machine while only paying $930 USD.

    SEE: Smartphones and mobile tech: More must-read coverage (TechRepublic on Flipboard)

    Image: Tyler Lizenby/CNET

  • ​Dell XPS 13

    Dell's XPS line has long been a favorite of consumers and business professionals, but last year's model included a bad design choice--it moved the webcam to the bottom of the monitor, which led to a lot of users complaining about the camera looking right up their noses.

    This year's XPS 13 fixed the issue, making it a solid laptop that is well worth a purchase. It's available now and starts at $899.99 USD.

    SEE: Smartphones and mobile tech: More must-read coverage (TechRepublic on Flipboard)

    Image: Sarah Tew/CNET

  • ​Dell Inspiron 7000

    Two-in-one laptops with pen support are increasingly popular, but with those devices comes a struggle that is all too familiar to stylus users: Where did it go?

    The Dell Inspiron 7000 presents a novel solution that's sure to thrill stylus-using business professionals: A magnetic pen "garage" positioned right below the screen.

    The garage stores and protects the pen when not in use, and also puts it in a noticeable place--as opposed to a recessed slot--so you'll know if it isn't where it belongs.

    Pricing and release information are not available.

    Also see

    Image: Sarah Tew/CNET

​Is it time for a new laptop?

Time is tough on computers, especially portable units that travel with professionals.

If you're in the market for a new computer, these 16 new and upcoming laptops might be just what you're looking for--no matter your mobile computing needs.

Note: Many of the laptops in this gallery have yet to be released. Pricing and availability details are included where possible, and the gallery will be updated when more information is available.

SEE: Smartphones and mobile tech: More must-read coverage (TechRepublic on Flipboard)

Image: Arijuhani, Getty Images/iStockphoto

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About Brandon Vigliarolo

Brandon writes about apps and software for TechRepublic. He's an award-winning feature writer who previously worked as an IT professional and served as an MP in the US Army.