Whether you’re working for an organization or handling your own business, investing in a business laptop is a wise choice. Not only do they last longer and offer a robust design, but they also come with top-of-the-line security features. Typically you can expect business-oriented laptops to feature dedicated security chips, privacy filters on displays, fingerprint sensors, and IR cameras with slider shutters. A variety of laptop manufacturers also offer military-spec tested chassis that can take knocks and minor drops.

Today we’ll take a look at some of the best business laptops that you should buy in 2021. As you’d expect, all of these laptops will be eligible for a free Windows 11 upgrade this holiday season.

These are the best business laptops to buy in July 2021

Best overall: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

ThinkPad is a legacy name when it comes to business notebooks, and the latest ThinkPad X1 Carbon should be at the top of your list if you’re hunting for a new business laptop. For a 14-inch laptop, it’s quite lightweight at just 2.5 pounds yet features the trustworthy rugged ThinkPad design. The laptop also offers a new 16:10 ratio display, the latest 11th-gen Intel Tiger Lake processor options, and modern security features including a match-on-chip fingerprint scanner, face recognition, and a privacy guard filter for the display.

Best premium: HP Elite Dragonfly

If you’re looking for a premium business notebook, the HP Elite Dragonfly is a recommended choice. The design incorporates recycled materials, including ocean–bound plastics and recycled magnesium, bringing the overall weight down to just 2.2 pounds. The notebook can be configured with up to an Intel Core i7-1185G7 vPro with 32GB RAM, a 13.3-inch 4K UHD HDR-400 touchscreen, up to 2 TB PCIe NVMe TLC SSD, and optional 4G or 5G connectivity.

Best convertible: Acer TravelMate Spin P4

The Acer TravelMate Spin P4 is a recommended convertible notebook with a sleek design aimed at business users. It features a solid build with MIL-STD 810H certification, along with all the necessary security features. In a way, it tries to mimic the experience of the ThinkPad range to offer a combination of consumer and enterprise hardware but at an affordable price. It can be configured with up to an 11th-gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, 512GB M.2 PCIe 3 SSD, and 14-inch FHD IPS touch display with support for a stylus that comes in the box. You also get a fingerprint scanner, a webcam shutter, Thunderbolt 4, and Wi-Fi 6.

Best ultraportable: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano

The ThinkPad X1 Nano is a new addition to the ThinkPad family and is the smallest and lightest of the lot. It weighs just 2.14 pounds making it the perfect choice for business users who want a reliable laptop that can be taken almost anywhere. The notebook has been tested against 12 military-grade requirements and over 200 quality checks to ensure durability and is Intel Evo certified to deliver the best possible experience including great battery life, fast connectivity, and enhanced performance. The laptop is available with the latest Intel 11th-gen Tiger Lake UP4 processors, up to a 2K 16:10 13-inch touchscreen display, and optional 5G mobile connectivity.

Best rugged design: Panasonic TOUGHBOOK

Meant for workers who need a reliable machine in the most demanding conditions, Panasonic’s latest offering is the TOUGHBOOK 33. It’s primarily a detachable laptop that can be used as a tablet on its own, and it’s probably the most rugged laptop you can find. According to Panasonic, this machine is five times more reliable than other business laptops resulting in fewer repairs, reduced downtime, and thereby cost savings.

It’s configurable with up to a 10th-gen Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB RAM, 1TB storage, dedicated GPS and 4G connectivity, and a variety of options for industrial purposes.