Freelancing is becoming more popular than ever. Freelancers are in demand, and the best freelancers will always be at least one step ahead of their competitors when it comes to technology. This makes sense because the best freelancers need to work remotely and on the go just like other professionals in today’s day and age. If you’re looking for a new laptop for your freelance career, you’ve come to the right place! Here are the 10 best laptops that will help you succeed as a freelancer!
At a Glance:
MacBook Air with M1
- 18 hours battery Life
- comparatively low prie
- M1 Processor beast
- Retina display
- Portability
Dell XPS 15
- Excellent performance
- Feasible price point
- Striking UHD display
- Decent graphics card
- Decent battery life
- Seamless typing experience
Acer Swift 3
- Great performance for the price
- Light, portable body
- Backlit keyboard
- Plenty of ports
The best laptop for freelancers should be lightweight and easy to carry. You’ll need a travel-friendly device if you want to work on the go as much as possible, so we’ve only chosen laptops that weigh less than five pounds! For those who prefer working at home or in an office space, don’t worry—all of our best laptops for freelance professionals are also slim and stylish enough to bring into your workspace without attracting too much attention. We love the look of Apple’s sleekest MacBooks, but they’re definitely not suited for traveling; fortunately, there are other great options out there like Dell XPS 13 ultrabooks and HP Spectre x360 notebooks with long battery life.
There are so many laptops out there for freelancers, it can be hard to know where to start. Well, worry no more! We’ve compiled a list of the 10 best laptops for freelancers in 2021. Let’s get started!
| Design | Best Laptops | Retailer |
|---|---|---|
Best Pick | Check Price | |
Staff Pick | Check Price | |
Budget Pick | Check Price |
MacBook Air with M1
Best PickOur top Choice is Mac air M1. It is an obvious choice because of its longer battery life and solid performance because of the beast M1. For almost any type of freelance work, M1 air is the hands-down best choice. Thanks to the 18 hours of battery life you don’t need to carry around a charger looking for a socket to switch in.
Apple has been pushing the envelope when it comes to laptop technology for years now. They are constantly innovating and improving their products, making them lighter, faster, more powerful, and generally better than anything else on the market. The latest MacBook Air is no exception. It features an Apple-designed M1 processor which makes it a dream to use while running macOS. If you’re looking for something that’s affordable but still does everything you want your laptop to do – look no further!
Pros
- 18 hours battery Life
- comparatively low prie
- M1 Processor beast
- Retina display
- Portability
Cons
- Limited I/O
Dell XPS 15
Staff PickThe Dell XPS 13 has been a popular choice in the Dell XPS line-up, but in the present times, the Dell XPS 15 has also gained some big good feedbacks from the consumers. If you are someone who wants to get a high-performing windows laptop, we’ll highly recommend the Dell XPS 15 2020. Similar to the MacBook Pro, the XPS features all the great functionalities from trackpad quality to speakers to keyboards.
This laptop is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, which allows you to run any applications smoothly. The battery life lasts for around 8 hours on continuous use. It also comes with two Thunderbolt 3 ports for fast charging and data transfer speeds up to 40 Gbps (
Even though the prices of Dell seem to increase year after year, you can still acquire great specs at less prices than Apple. The XPS 15 is a delight with stunning looks, and keep in mind it’s a premium laptop so you’ll not get it cheap.
CPU: 2.6GHz Intel Core i7-10750H
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti
Display: 15.6-inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2400)
Battery: Up to 8 hours
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Feasible price point
- Striking UHD display
- Decent graphics card
- Decent battery life
- Seamless typing experience
Cons
- Poor webcam
- Expensive
MacBook Pro 16
MacBook Pro 16 falls under the premium category. You can buy a car for what Apple charges for their top-tier laptops! But you can have mind-blowing performance with this machine from Apple is used by businesses and professionals all around the world to accomplish goals. MacBook Pro 16 has been in production since 2008, so there are plenty of reviews out there about it, but if you want to know more about MacBook Pro 16 specifically, keep reading below! MacBook Pro 16 is MacBook Pro with a Retina display, so the pixel density on MacBook Pro 16 is awesome. MacBook Pro 16 has a very bright screen and can handle colors really well! With 500 nits of brightness, you won’t have trouble seeing what’s on your MacBook Pro in most conditions. MacBook Air comes with two USB ports and MacBook Pro 16 comes with four USB ports, which is really nice if you need to plug in multiple devices. MacBook Air also has a Thunderbolt port but MacBook Pro doesn’t have one! However, MacBook does come with an HDMI port that can connect to TVs and projectors for presentations or other reasons. One of the biggest complaints about MacBook
CPU: 2.6GHz Intel Core i7 (9th Gen)
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
GPU: 4GB AMD Radeon Pro 5300M
Display: 16-inch Retina IPS (3072 x 1920)
Battery: Up to 11 hours
Pros
- The most powerful and productivity-inclined MacBook
- Impressive battery life
- Backlit keyboard for typing with ease
- Addition of Esc key and shortened TouchBar
- Formidable GPU
- Increased key travel
Cons
- On the higher end of the price point
Acer Swift 3
Budget PickSimilar to most manufacturers, Acer has been using AMD processors instead of Intel in their budget-friendly machines. Due to the cheaper AMD processor, you get more features in your machine concerning the amount of money you are spending.
The Acer Swift 3 is among the best budget-friendly laptop for freelancers. The laptop has won certain awards and 5-star reviews from multiple publications including TechRadar and PC World.
The sleek look and thin feel of Swift 3 are more solid than any other laptop in this price range. For the money you are going to spend on this laptop you’ll get a lot of features including 512 GB storage. The machine covers all the required needs of the consumer with a few drawbacks such as weak speakers. The laptop features enough RAM, storage, and fast SSD to cater to consumers’ every need!
14-inch IPS display, 1920 x 1080
8-core AMD Ryzen 7 4700U 2.0GHz with boost up to 4.1GHz
8GB of RAM
512GB SSD
2.65 pounds (1.2kg)
Pros
- Great performance for the price
- Light, portable body
- Backlit keyboard
- Plenty of ports
Cons
- Dim display
- Budget-laptop design
- Bloatware
- No Thunderbolt 3 on AMD version
Dell XPS 13 (2020 Model)
We have already mentioned the Dell XPS 13 as the most favorite machine of the XPS line-up. The product and the line-up have passed the test of time. It’s hard to choose a windows based laptop as there are many, but you wouldn’t be disappointed with the Dell XPS 13.
The model with the 13.4-inch screen is an exceptional all-rounder. The laptop is very light and comes as an attractive and speedy package with a great screen.
The laptop can use a little better battery life but you can still get around six hours of battery between charges. However, the prices as mentioned before tend to increase each year. Nonetheless, the laptop is great for freelancers and anyone who’s going to buy it will be satisfied with it.
Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 (8MB cache, up to 3.9 GHz)
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
Weight: 2.8 lbs
Thickness: 0.58 inches
Battery: 52Wh
Pros
- Beautiful, sturdy design
- Bezel-free 16:10 display
- Standout keyboard and touchpad
- Integrated graphics can handle some gaming
Cons
- Keyboard gets hot under load
- Limited port selection
- Bad webcam
Asus ZenBook
The Asus line-up of the ZenBook series has plenty of options in it e.g. Pro, Classic, and Ultrabook having one thing in common: solid specs which are close to the specs of Dell XPS. The laptop features storage of 512GB SSD along with 8GB of RAM. The laptop is equipped with a 1080p display and is great for freelancers who want a clear display with good graphics. The ZenBooks also features an ultra-slim body which makes them easy to carry around. The laptop features a good battery life, which can keep you running for up to 10 hours.
CPU: 1.6GHz Intel Core i5-8265U
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
GPU: Integrated Intel HD 620
Display: 13.3-inch FHD LED (1920 x 1080)
Battery: Up to 10 hours
Pros
- Doesn’t cost a fortune
- Full HD LED display
- Lightweight machine
- Long battery life
- Above-average configuration
- Modest connectivity under this range
Cons
- The keyboard is not up to the mark
- Display quality is below average
Dell inspiration 15-5559
The Dell inspiration 15-5559 can provide the best performance when being used for office-related tasks. The laptop features an 8GB DDR4 ram with a clock frequency of 1600 MHz. The 15.6” full HD display shows clear images and the laptop is equipped with Intel HD Graphics 520 GPU. This machine is highly recommended for those freelancers who are into graphic designing. The storage capacity of the laptop is 1000GB which is enough concerning current standards
CPU: Intel Core i5-6200U
GPU: Intel HD Graphics 520
DISPLAY: 15.6”, Full HD (1920 x 1080), TN
STORAGE: 1000GB HDD
RAM: 8GB DDR3, 1600 MHz
Pros
- Durable looking body with nice design
- Comfortable keyboard
- Long surfing and gaming battery life
- Good internal and surface temperatures at high load
- 36 months Next Business Day warranty
Cons
- Arrow keys somewhat lacking in design
- Narrow viewing angles
- PWM across all brightness levels, except 100%
Lenovo B51-80
Lenovo B51-80 is a high-performing laptop due to its core-i7 processor. The laptop is highly recommended for video and photo editors due to its great 15.6” HD crisp display. The laptop has received increased popularity in the market due to its 8GB ram in the price bracket. The laptop is highly recommended for freelancers as one of the best laptops in the price bracket.
Display size: 15.60-inch
Display resolution: 1366×768 pixels
Touchscreen: No
Processor: Core i7
RAM:8GB
Pros
- Good working capacity;
- Good price.
Cons
- Mediocre display;
- Poor build quality and appearance
- Weak battery life.
HP Envy
The HP Envy is a great laptop for freelancers as it features a 17.6” LCD with a display resolution of 1920 x1080 pixels. The functionality and performance of the laptop are exceptionally great due to its core-i7 processor and GT650 M GPU. The laptop is highly recommended for video editors and graphic designers. The laptop features 12GB RAM and an optimal storage capacity of 1TB. However, the machine doesn’t have an SSD which is a little offsetting, but overall the laptop works great.
Display size: 17.00-inch
Display resolution: 1920×1080 pixels
Processor: Core i7
RAM: 12GB
OS: Windows 10
Pros
- Excellent performance from a 13″ ultraportable laptop
- Ryzen 5 4500U performs on par or better than comparable Core i7
- Outstanding value for money
- The metal build is on par with flagship devices
- Balanced port selection
Cons
- Battery life could be better
- Runs a bit loud
- No Thunderbolt 3 or HDMI
- 16:10 or 3:2 aspect would be better
HP 255 G4
If you are looking for a straightforward and reliable laptop then HP 255 G4 is a great entry-level business range laptop. It is a great option for freelancers as it falls within the £200 budget making it an affordable laptop. The laptop features a 15.6”, HD (1366 x 768) display with an AMD Radeon R5 (Carrizo-L) GPU. The storage capacity of the laptop is 1000GB HDD with 4GB DDR3 RAM. The base clock speed of the machine is 1600 MHz.
CPU: AMD A8-7410
GPU: AMD Radeon R5 (Carrizo-L)
DISPLAY: 15.6”, HD (1366 x 768), TN
STORAGE: 1000GB HDD
RAM: 4GB DDR3, 1600MHz
Pros
- Solid laptop
Cons
- Not a gaming laptop
- Sound a little rigid at times
Conclusion: Best laptops for freelancers
We’ve compiled a list of the best laptops for freelancers to help you find the perfect device that fits your needs. Whether you’re looking for a lightweight laptop with enough power to get through most projects or something more powerful and sturdy for video editing/gaming purposes, we have you covered! All of these devices are less than five pounds so they can be carried around easily without weighing down your bag too much. If there’s one thing every freelance professional wants, it’s an easy way to stay connected on the go. Let us know if any of our recommendations fit what you’re looking for in a machine—we’d love to chat about finding the right one for your individual needs!