Over the past two years, whether we like it or not, working from home has become a reality for many of us, and to some extent, it's probably here to stay. Working from home does give us more flexibility in how we manage our time, so while we might like going into an office, there will be times when we prefer remote work. But that means you need to be well-equipped to work from home, and to help you with that, we've selected some of the best laptops and PCs you can buy today for exactly that.
But what constitutes a good work from home PC? Aside from being a great laptop in general, there are two core things you'll probably care about if you're working from home: a good webcam for meetings, and Thunderbolt support so you can set up all your peripherals and a multi-monitor setup using a Thunderbolt dock. For webcams, we're going for laptops with Full HD cameras or higher, which is thankfully much more common in 2022 than it was in previous years. As for Thunderbolt support, that does mean most of the devices on this list are powered by Intel, who develops and licenses Thunderbolt.
Navigate this article:
- Best overall: HP Spectre x360 16
- Best business clamshell: Lenovo ThinkPad X13
- Best business convertible: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7
- Best high-performance laptop: Razer Blade 15
- Best tablet: Surface Pro 9
- Best AiO: HP Envy AiO 34
Best overall work from home laptop: HP Spectre x360 16
HP's Spectre family gained another new member recently in the form of the Spectre x360 16. Blending high-performance specs with a great display and webcam, this is certainly one of the best laptops you can buy today, and even more so if you're working from home.
The 16-inch Spectre x360 is a powerful machine, and it gives you the option to choose what's more important to you. The base model comes with an Intel Core i7-12700H processor, which is a 45W CPU with 14 cores and 20 threads, one of the most powerful laptop processors around. Plus, it has integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics. But if you want more GPU power, you can opt for an Intel Core i7-1260P, a 28W processor from Intel's new P series, which is paired with an Intel Arc A370M GPU. This is an entry-level GPU designed for content creation, so if you're editing video, for example, it's a great choice. Plus, it comes with up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of PCIe SSD storage, so this is a fast and capable laptop all around.
One of the things that make the Spectre x360 unique is its 16-inch display. This is the first Spectre laptop with a 16:10 aspect ratio, which is taller than the 16:9 screens of the 13- or 15-inch models, and it's fantastic for work. The added vertical space is great for reading and writing documents without having to scroll as much, making productivity that much better. Not only that, this is an extremely sharp display coming in at 3072 x 1920 resolution in the base model. If you want an even sharper screen, there's an Ultra HD+ (3840 x 2400) OLED panel available, too. Of course, this is a convertible,
The true standout feature of the Spectre x360 16, however, is the camera. This laptop comes with a 5MP webcam, and in addition to having fantastic quality, it includes smart features like the ability to track the user if they move around to keep them in the frame, beauty and lighting adjustments, and so on. This is one of the best webcams you'll find on any laptop right now, and of course, it also supports Windows Hello facial recognition.
Design-wise, the Spectre x360 16 comes with a dual-tone design similar to its predecessors, but the angular edges make way for curved surfaces and more subdued accents. The nightfall black model has gold-tinted accents along the edges, while the nocturne blue accents the dark blue surfaces with a lighter shade of blue for the edges. This isn't a very light laptop, as you might expect from its specs and size. It weighs 4.45lbs, and it measures 19.81mm in thickness, so it's still portable, but probably not something you want to carry around all day.
Finally, coming around to the ports, the Spectre x360 16 has a very solid supply. You get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, once USB Type-A (3.2 Gen 2) port, HDMI 2.0b, a microSD card header, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. That covers all the basics, in addition to giving you two whole Thunderbolt 4 ports so you can connect multiple monitors and more peripherals with a Thunderbolt dock, or even an external GPU.
The HP Spectre x360 16 is a laptop that gets almost everything right, and if you want to work from home, this is one of the best PCs you can buy right now.
HP Spectre x360 16
The HP Spectre x360 16 is fantastic laptop with high-performance specs, a sharp display, and a great webcam.
Best business clamshell: Lenovo ThinkPad X13
Unsurprisingly, business laptops are great for working, and the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 is a fantastic example of that. It has the iconic ThinkPad design with some modern touches that make this one of the best laptops you can buy to work from home.
The latest generation of the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 comes with Intel's 28W processors from the P series, up to a Core i7-1280P. That's a 14-core, 20-thread CPU with boost speeds up to 4.8GHz, and it's one of the fastest processors you can fit in a chassis like this. It also includes integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, making some light GPU workloads more viable. Aside from the CPU, you can count on up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage (though only up to 1TB is available at writing time).
The display on the ThinkPad X13 is a 13.3-inch panel and it comes in the 16:10 aspect ratio. The base model comes in Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) resolution, and you can configure it with a touchscreen or a Privacy Guard display. There will also be an option for a Quad HD+ (2560 x 1600) display if you want the extra detail. Depending on the model you choose, the maximum brightness can go up to 500 nits, so this should be an easy laptop to use outdoors, too.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 comes with a 1080p webcam in most models, and that means you should get pretty good image quality by default, which is great if you're in a lot of meetings and calls for work. There's also going to be an option for Windows Hello facial recognition support, though at the time of writing, none of the configurations available offer that option.
Lenovo's iconic ThinkPad design is here and accounted for, featuring the well-known red accents and of course, the pointing stick on the keyboard. You can use this to control your mouse cursor, and a pair of duplicate buttons above the touchpad also make this easier. In addition to the classic ThinkPad black, there's also a silver version of this laptop. It's a fairly lightweight laptop, starting at 2.65lbs, and it's 18.1mm thin.
Like most business laptops, the ThinkPad X13 is packing plenty of ports. You get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB Type-A ports (3.2 Gen 1), HDMI 2.0, and a headphone jack, plus an optional smart card reader. You can also add LTE or 5G support to this laptop so you can stay connected when you're away from home or if your Wi-Fi stops working for some reason. Cellular connectivity can also be useful if you want more security, so you don't rely on public Wi-Fi networks.
As far as business laptops go, the ThinkPad Xx13 is one of the best out there, especially if you're looking for something you can use to work from home. It has great specs overall, plus it includes a solid webcam by default and two Thunderbolt ports to make it even more versatile.
Lenovo ThinkPad X13
The ThinkPad X13 keeps Lenovo's iconic design elements and adds modern elements like a tall screen and a great webcam.
Also great: Dell Latitude 7420
If you're looking for a laptop specifically designed for business users, the Dell Latitude 7430 is another great option. As a business laptop, it offers a lot of connectivity options and a classic design, while still offering great features for remote work.
The Dell Latitude 7430 is powered by 12th-generation Intel Core processors, and it gives you the choice between the P series (28W) and the U15 series (15W). P-series processors are generally faster, but they consume more energy, so you're choosing between more performance and better battery life depending on your needs. if you're working from home, the P series may make more sense. All models come with Intel iris Xe graphics, and you can also configure the laptop with up to 32GB of RAM, depending on your processor. Additionally, you can choose up to a 1TB SSD.
The display on Latitude 7430 isn't going to blow your mind, but it's a solid Full HD (1920 x 1080) panel, coming in the more classic 16:9 aspect ratio compared to the two laptops above. The display maxes out at 400 nits of brightness depending on your configuration, which makes it good for working from home, but some of the lower-tier options won't be very visible outdoors. There are options for touch support - plus the Latitude 7430 is also available in a convertible version - as well as a 4K model, and many of these options are also tied to the webcam you get.
That's right, there are a couple of different options for the webcam. You can either get a 720p webcam without Windows Hello support, or a Full HD camera with an infrared sensor for Windows Hello facial recognition. Because these options are tied to the display you choose, you may not be able to get the perfect configuration, but you do have plenty of options here.
In terms of the design, the Latitude 7423 is a very subdued laptop, though it does come with two options for the lid. You can get it in a silver-colored aluminum model, or a black carbon fiber variant if you want something more distinct. This also has a small impact on the size of the laptop. The carbon fiber model starts at 17.27mm thick and 2.69lbs of weight, while the aluminum model is thinner -- 16.9mm at its thinnest point -- but heavier, starting at 2.79lbs. The 2-in-1 models are noticeably heavier, too.
Finally, we have ports, and the Dell Latitude 7430 offers a great supply of them. First off, you get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and they're on different sides of the laptop so it's easier to plug in regardless of your position. You also get one USB Type-A port (3.2 Gen 1), HDMI 2.0, a microSD card reader and a headphone jack. You also have the option to add a Smart Card reader and a micro-SIM slot for the LTE or 5G models.
All of these configuration options are available on Dell's website, which might be your best choice if you want to fully configure your laptop. You can check it out below if you're interested in one of the best laptops you can get to work from home.
Dell Latitude 7420
The Dell Latitude 7430 is a solid business laptop that nails all the basics and it comes in a classic design.
Best business convertible: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7
Classic clamshell laptops work well for a lot of people, but if you're like me, convertibles are where it's at. And if you want a convertible laptop designed for business, it doesn't get much better than Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Yoga, which has been made even better with the latest generation.
The ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7 is powered by Intel Core P-series processors, up to a Core i7-1280P. As we've mentioned, this is a powerful 28W processor with 14 cores and 20 threads, and even the other P-series models still have a lot of performance with 12 cores and 16 threads. Some models are also available with U15 CPU if you don't need that level of performance and you want to favor battery life instead. Aside from that, you get up to 32GB of RAM and up to a 1TB SSD for storage (a 2TB model should be available at some point, too).
For the display, the ThinkPad X1 Yoga comes with a 14-inch panel and a 16:10 aspect ratio, which is thankfully becoming increasingly common for ThinkPads. The base model comes in Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) resolution, with the option to add a Privacy Guard that blocks other people's view of your screen. The highlight here is the new 4K+ (3840 x 2400) OLED option, however, because it's the first time this laptop has an OLED display. This technology allows for more vibrant colors and a higher contrast ratio, plus you get a super-sharp panel that's fantastic for work.
For the webcam, you get a 1080p camera by default meaning you can rest assured you'll see pretty good image quality for meetings and video calls. Beyond that, if you want to add Windows Hello facial recognition, you have that option, too. Plus, there's an option for a MIPI webcam that also supports Computer Vision, meaning your laptop can see when you approach it and wake up automatically, so it's ready for you to use right away. It can also detect when you move away and lock itself to keep your data safe.
Design-wise, the ThinkPad X1 Yoga is everything you'd expect from a ThinkPad, minus the black color. It comes in a Storm Grey colorway, but everything else is what you'd expect, including the iconic red accents, duplicated mouse buttons above the touchpad, and the red TrackPoint in the middle of the keyboard. It's an all-aluminum laptop, but it's still quite thin at 15.53mm, and it weighs 3.04lbs, so it's still decently portable for its size. It also includes a stylus pen to use with the touchscreen, and it's stored right inside the laptop.
Finally, coming around to the ports, you get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, so the bulk of your needs is covered, with Thunderbolt giving you more options for expansion. You can also configure the ThinkPad X1 Yoga with either LTE or 5G cellular network support, so you can connect to the internet from pretty much anywhere.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga is one of the best business laptops each year, and with the latest refresh, it's become better than ever if you want to work from home. You can buy it on Lenovo's website below.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7 is a powerful business convertible with 12th-gen Intel processors and an iconic, but modernized design.
Best folio-style convertible: HP Elite Dragonfly Folio G3
Folio-style convertibles are the best kind of convertibles, and the HP Elite Dragonfly Folio is fantastic, whether you're working from home or on the go. It has the latest specs, a great display, and one of the very best webcams on any laptop.
Starting with performance, we're looking at 12th-generation Intel Core processors, up to a Core i7-1265U. That gets you 10 cores and 12 threads in a 15W package, and that's enough performance for all kinds of work tasks, whether that's email, spreadsheets, or working on the web. Additionally, you can configure it with up to 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD, which gives you all the performance and storage space you could need.
The display is a 13.5-inch panel and it comes in the 3:2 aspect ratio, a taller format that's often preferred for productivity. The base model has Full HD+ (1920 x 1280) resolution and you can opt to add a privacy screen if you work with sensitive information. HP has also announced a 3K2K (3000 x 2000) OLED panel option, but it's not available yet at writing time. Above that display is one of the best parts of this laptop, which is the webcam. HP is using an 8MP sensor, which is probably the sharpest you'll find on any laptop. It also supports Windows Hello facial recognition.
What makes this laptop unique is its design. The "Folio" design means you can open this like a regular laptop, but you can then pull the bottom of the screen towards you to use in different modes. You can cover the keyboard if you're just watching a movie, or you can fold it down over the entire base to take notes or draw more naturally with a pen. Bringing this design together is the faux leather cover that gives the laptop an extra classy feel that looks good anywhere, whether you're using it or just carrying it in your hand. The laptop is 17.78mm thin and weighs just 3.09lbs, so it's very portable, too.
A downside with this design is in the ports, because it doesn't allow for bigger ones. You get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, though, and that should allow you to get all the connectivity you need with a Thunderbolt 4 dock. And, unlike some other thin laptops these days, you still get a headphone jack, so at least that part is covered.
The HP Elite Dragonfly Folio G3 is a very pricy laptop, particularly if you want to build a custom configuration. However, business laptops like this tend to go on sale frequently, so you can keep an eye out and wait for a better price. It's definitely a fantastic laptop.
HP Elite Dragonfly Folio G3
The HP Elite Dragonfly Folio G3
Best high-performance laptop for work from home: Razer Blade 15 (2022)
Yes, yes, a gaming laptop in a list of laptops for work. Laptops can be good for a lot of things, and just because you're working during the day, it doesn't mean you can't be a gamer by night. If you want a laptop that balances both of these things well, the Razer Blade 15 is a great option.
For gaming laptops, performance is naturally a top priority, and the Razer Blade 15 is no exception. The latest model is powered by Intel's 12th-generation H-series processors, up to a Core i9-12900HK, which comes with 14 cores, 20 threads, and boost speeds up to 5GHz, making this one of the fastest processors you'll find on any laptop. Beyond the CPU, it also comes with up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, the most powerful laptop GPU right now, though it's limited to 105W of power. You can also get up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD, though both of these are upgradeable later on if you need more.
The display on the Razer Blade 15 comes in a few different configurations, but it's always a 15.6-inch panel and it comes in the 16:9 aspect ratio. The different versions include a Full HD (1920 x 1080) display at 360Hz, Quad HD (2560 x 1440) at 240Hz, and a 4K panel at 144Hz. Later this year, there will also be an OLED model, with Quad HD resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate, which might be the best display option of the bunch. A Quad HD panel is probably the sweet spot for this size if you plan on gaming and working on the laptop, and the vibrant colors, high contrast ratio, and fast response times of OLED panels are going to make that even better.
Webcams are often overlooked in gaming laptops, but the Razer Blade 15 Advanced doesn't skimp on it. You get a Full HD webcam, complete with Windows Hello facial recognition, making this a good camera for meetings, but also if you're interested in streaming your gaming sessions in your free time.
Despite being a gaming laptop, the Razer Blade 15 has a fairly subdued design that's not obnoxious like some other gaming laptops can be. It's mostly a black laptop, though it does have a green Razer logo on the lid. The keyboard has RGB backlighting, but it only shines through the key labels, so it's still somewhat understated. It's also just under 17mm thin, which is impressive for its specs, and it weighs 4.4lbs. That's not light by any means, but it could be a lot worse, too.
The Razer Blade 15 Advanced also has a very balanced supply of ports. You get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, three USB Type-A (3.2 Gen 2) ports, HDMI 2.1, a full-size SD card reader, and a headphone jack. That's one of the most complete setups you'll find on any laptop, and it's made better because these ports are all evenly distributed on both sides, so you have more flexibility with how you want to plug in your peripherals and displays.
If you need a lot of processing power, whether it's for video editing or gaming, this is one of the best laptops you can buy for that while also being a great option for working from home.
Razer Blade 15 Advanced
The Razer Blade 15 is a powerful gaming laptop that still has the makings of a great remote work PC, including a great webcam.
Best tablet: Surface Pro 9
Microsoft's Surface Pro tablets have always been standout devices, and the last two generations have really rejuvenated the series. The Surface Pro 8 brought with it a major redesign, and the Surface Pro 9 now adds colors for the first time. There's also optional 5G support if you need it.
Performance-wise, the Surface Pro 9 comes packing Intel's 12th-generation Alder Lake processors up to a Core i7-1255U. That's a 10-core, 12-thread processor, and it's going to give you pretty great performance, especially for a tablet. It also comes with up to 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, so you're really not missing much here compared to more traditional laptops. The 5G version is very different, however - it's powered by a Microsoft SQ3 chipset and it maxes out with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. You still get solid performance, though it's not quite as impressive.
The display on the Surface Pro 9 is another one of its strengths, being an extremely sharp 13-inch panel with the typical 3:2 aspect ratio all Surface devices have. The resolution is 2880 x 1920, and it also comes with up to a 120Hz refresh rate, though it adjusts dynamically to save power when you don't need it. Of course, it also supports touch and the Surface Pen, including support for tactile signals on the Surface Slim Pen 2.
The cameras on the Surface Pro tablets have always been ahead of the curve, and the Surface Pro 9 is no different. The front-facing camera is a 5MP sensor with support for 1080p video, making it one of the best webcams out there, plus it includes Windows Hello facial recognition. In addition to that, you get a second camera on the back, this time being a 10MP sensor with support for 4K video. On the Surface Pro 9 with 5G, the camera also supports Windows Studio Effects, which includes features like background blur, eye contact, and face tracking. There's even a voice clarity feature that removes background noise so people can hear you clearly.
The design of the Surface Pro 9 is similar to its predecessor, except now, it comes four colors. In addition to Platinum and Graphite, you can get the Surface Pro 9 in Forest (a dark shade of green), or a stunning Sapphire blue. However, these colors are only available for the Intel/Wi-Fi model, and the 5G version is only available in Platinum. Otherwise, the tablet is just 9.4mm thick and it weighs 1.94lbs for the Wi-Fi model. That excludes the Surface Pro SIgnature Keyboard, which is sold separately.
Ending on ports, the Surface Pro 9 comes with two USB Type-C ports, and that's about it. On the Intel model, those ports support Thunderbolt 4, though you'll be limited to regular USB 3.2 Gen 2 on the 5G version. This model doesn't come with a headphone jack, so you'll have to find an adapter if you have wired headphones. Of course, the 5G model supports cellular connectivity, too, which might be useful for traveling or if you have problems with your home internet.
Aside from its limited port setup, the Surface Pro 9 is one of the best laptops if you're planning to work from home as well as on the road. We'd recommend the Intel version unless you really need cellular support, but that's ultimately up to your needs. However, it's only a laptop if you buy the keyboard sold separately, so that's an extra cost to take into consideration.
Surface Pro 9
The Surface Pro 9 is the first Surface Pro to come in actual colors, plus it has the latest Intel processors.
Best all-in-one PC: HP Envy All-in-One 34
To round out this list, we'll go with an all-in-one desktop PC, and we've chosen the HP Envy AiO 34 for that. This is easily one of the best all-in-one PCs you can buy right now, and if you're planning to work from home and you prefer a single monitor, this is definitely your go-to choice.
The HP Envy All-in-One 34 is powered by 12th-generation Intel Core processors, going up to a Core i7-12700. This is a desktop processor with 65W of power, and it has 12 cores and 20 threads, making for a a very fast PC all around. It's not just the CPU, either, as you can also get up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, delivering top-tier graphics performance, whether that's for content creation or gaming. To top it all off, you can get it with up to a whopping 128GB of RAM and two 2TB SSDs for storage, so you really can't ask for much more. This is a beastly PC despite its deceiving looks.
The display is also phenomenal on the HP Envy All-in-One 34. It's a 34-inch ultra-wide panel with a roughly 21:9 aspect ratio, which is great for multitasking with multiple apps side by side. Making that even better is the fact that this is an extremely sharp panel, with 5120 x 2160 resolution. The high pixel density makes it even easier to fit more content on the display, which means multitasking can be even more efficient.
As you might expect, this PC also includes a webcam, but it's not a camera built into the PC. It's actually a detachable camera, and it's a very high quality camera at that. It's a 16MP sensor, but it uses pixel binning technology to combine multiple pixels into one. This is a feature you often see in phones, and it should help improve image quality significantly, especially in low-light scenarios.
Seeing as it's a desktop, portability isn't much of a concern with the HP Envy AiO 32, but the overall design is modern and in line with HP's premium laptops. The back has a dual-tone black panel, and the front is adorned by a woven fabric cover for the front-facing speakers, so it looks premium and sleek all around. A cool feature of this PC is that the base has built-in wireless charging for your phone, which is a very convenient feature to have. Windows Hello facial recognition is supported, too, as you'd expect.
Finally, we have the ports, and there are a lot of them here. On the back, there are two Thunderbolt 4 ports, four USB Type-A (3.2 Gen 2) ports, HDMI, gigabit Ethernet, and a headphone jack. That's already a lot, but the stand itself houses a couple more ports, including two USB Type-A ports, one USB Type-C, and a full-size SD card reader. That's a lot of connectivity options, and we can't imagine what else you might want for a fantastic setup.
If you're less interested in a laptop and you want something that will be in your home office for a long time, the HP Envy AiO 34 is one of your best options for work. It's a pretty expensive machine, but for what it offers, it's not unreasonably priced, and it's definitely one of the very best PCs you can use to work from home.
HP Envy 34 All-in-One
The HP Envy AiO 34 packs the power you'd expect in a desktop PC, plus an ultra-wide and sharp display and lots of ports.
That's it for what we'd consider the best laptops (and one all-in-one) you can buy today if you want to work from home. We chose the Spectre x360 16 for the top spot because it has pretty much everything you could ask for - powerful processors with optional dedicated graphics, a sharp and bright display, a high-quality camera, and enough connectivity options to power multiple displays and peripherals in a home office setup.
You may have noticed all of these PCs have Thunderbolt support, but if you want even more options, we also have a list of the best Thunderbolt 4 laptops you can check out.
