Why choosing the right notebook is so important

These days, business notebooks have to be able to do more than just handle office work. They accompany employees in the office, at home, on the road and on business trips. The requirements are as varied as the working styles themselves. Choosing the right device lays the foundation for productive, efficient and trouble-free work. What aspects should you consider when making your choice?

1 Processor – classic or single-chip design?

The heart of every notebook is the processor. Chips from Intel (Core i5/i7/i9, vPro) or AMD (Ryzen Pro) are used in classic business devices. They offer plenty of power for office applications, presentations, video conferencing or multitasking.

New to the business segment: system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions such as the Snapdragon X Elite from Qualcomm. These combine CPU, graphics and AI acceleration in a single, particularly efficient chip – comparable to smartphone architectures.

2 RAM and SSD - how much makes sense?

RAM (random access memory) determines how many applications can be used in parallel. 8 GB is the absolute minimum; at least 16 GB is recommended for smooth working in the office environment or in browser-based applications. In professional applications with large amounts of data, spreadsheets, graphics-intensive usage scenarios or even CAD, 32 GB or even 64 GB are required to ensure reliable work.

SSDs (Solid State Drives) ensure fast program startup, short loading times and are now the standard for storage solutions in notebooks. 512 GB memory offers enough space for common documents, projects and media – optionally expandable via USB-C, Thunderbolt or cloud solutions. Creative professionals with tasks such as photo or video production can consider an option with 1 TB of memory to easily process large amounts of data from external memory cards and raw data.

3 Mobile working: Weight & battery life

Anyone who is often on the move – for example between customers, on the train or when traveling – will benefit from a lightweight, compact device with reliable battery performance. A weight of less than 1.5 kg is clearly noticeable in a rucksack or laptop bag. At the same time, the housing should be sturdy enough to withstand everyday mobile use. Many devices have a housing that is made from one piece (“unibody”) and consists of aluminum, magnesium or carbon.

A healthy dose of realism is recommended when looking at battery life: manufacturer specifications usually refer to ideal laboratory conditions. In practice, a notebook advertised with a “12-hour battery life” is more likely to last 8-9 hours in a typical working day with WLAN, office programs and medium display brightness. However, modern notebooks last much longer than they did a few years ago. Depending on usage, up to two working days can be managed without a power socket.

4 Display size & Resolution

The display size has a direct impact on working comfort – and the intended use:

• 13-14 inch: compact, lightweight, ideal for mobile scenarios
• 15-16 inch: balanced ratio of overview and mobility
• 17 inch: spacious workstation, primarily for stationary use

The resolution also plays a central role. Full HD (1920×1080) is standard and absolutely sufficient for classic office tasks. If you work with large Excel files, create presentations or frequently use several windows side by side, you are better off with WQHD or 4K.

5 Touchscreen & Convertible –more flexibility in everyday working life

A touchscreen makes operation more intuitive – especially for tasks such as scrolling through long PDFs, spontaneously jotting down ideas or editing documents with a finger or pen. So-called convertibles or 2-in-1 devices, whose display can be completely folded down or separated from the keyboard section, offer even more options.

These devices combine notebook and tablet functionality in one – ideal for presentations, customer meetings or creative work sessions. Many models are compatible with active input pens that allow handwritten notes or drawings to be made directly on the display. The prerequisite is that the pen is pressure-sensitive, precise and can be easily integrated into the device – for example via a magnetic holder or retractable into the casing.

This turns the business notebook into a flexible tool that adapts to different work situations – and offers more than just typing on the keyboard and clicking.