.png)
When it comes to choosing a laptop, it’s all about finding one that meets your needs today and will stick with you for the long haul. Whether you’re running a small business, love your Apple products, or have a future engineer heading off to college, I’ve got a few recommendations to share. Let's get started!
1. For the Small Business Owner: HP or Dell PC Laptop
If you’re a small business owner, you need a laptop that can handle your workload without slowing down after a few years. This is why I recommend a PC with good processor and Windows 11 OS. My top pick here packs a punch with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD, which means you can run a ton of apps or browser tabs without skipping a beat. You could save a little by going with 16GB, but I’m all about future-proofing your setup, so I’d say go for the 32GB.
This laptop comes with a 15-inch screen, making it a great home office machine. If you’re constantly on the go, you might prefer something smaller, like a 14-inch model, which would be easier to lug around. I also recommend getting a PC with a Fingerprint Reader -- you won't go back once you have one!
As for brands, I’m a fan of HP and Dell and Intel i7 processors. Both are reliable and have great customer support (you know, for those times when tech isn’t as neat as we’d like).
32GB HP Pavilion (currently $784; Amazon affiliate link)
32GB RAM / 1TB SSD
~15-in Full HD screen
~4 pounds
Fingerprint Reader
Windows 11
Intel i7, 2 processors
Nice look & feel - available in Silver
32GB Dell Latitude (currently $999; Amazon affiliate link)
32GB RAM / 1TB SSD
~15-in Full HD screen
~4 pounds
Fingerprint Reader
Windows 11
Intel i7, 4 processors
Nice look & feel - available in Gray
For the Apple Lovers: MacBook Air (2024)
Now, if you’re a Mac person, I’ve got you covered. The Apple 2024 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with the M3 chip is a fantastic choice for business owners who want a sleek, powerful machine without the high price tag of a MacBook Pro. If you’re a programmer, definitely go for the Pro series, but if you’re running a business, the MacBook Air will handle everything you throw at it.
With 16GB of memory and 512GB SSD storage, it’s built for speed, plus you get a 15-inch display, perfect for any multi-tasking you need to do. Battery life? A whopping 18 hours! Whether you’re on the road or working from home, this one will stick with you.
The HD camera and built-in mics make video calls crystal clear, and with Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth, and MagSafe charging, you’ve got all the bells and whistles you need. Plus, it plays super nice with other Apple devices — start an email on your iPhone, finish it on your Mac. Easy peasy.
Apple MacBook Air 2024 (currently $1449; Amazon affiliate link)
16GB RAM / 512GB SSD
~15-in Full HD screen
~4 pounds
Fingerprint Reader
Mac OS
Apple M3
Nice look & feel - available in 4 colors
3. For Future Engineers: ASUS ROG Gaming Laptop
If you’ve got a kiddo heading off to college for Computer Science or Engineering, let me tell you — this ASUS ROG Gaming Laptop is the real deal. Each of our sons get a version of this laptop when they started their CS track, and they’ve been nothing but thrilled with them.
It’s got a 14-in screen with a good 120Hz refresh rate, which is needed for gaming and running all those intense engineering programs. The AMD Ryzen processor, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD means it’ll handle anything college throws its way, whether it’s coding, gaming, or some serious project crunch time.
At 3.31 pounds it’s super lightweight, making it easy to carry around campus, and has long battery life — essential for marathon study sessions or all-day lectures.
The GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card makes it work for anyone into gaming. It’s one of the best laptops to help any budding engineer get through the next four (or more) years of college.
Pro Tip: Grab two power cords for your college kids — one for their backpack and one for the dorm. Trust me, they'll thank you when their laptop stays charged all day in class!
2024 ASUS ROG Gaming Laptop (currently $1999; BestBuy link)
32GB RAM / 1TB SSD
~14-in Full HD screen
~3 pounds
~up to 10 hours battery life
Windows 11
AMD Ryzen, 8 processors (16 threads)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070
Camera
4. For Non-Engineering College Students: ASUS Zenbook
If you’ve got a college student who’s not diving into the world of computer science, this 2024 ASUS Zenbook is an excellent choice. It’s a new, reliable laptop that offers everything they need without the heavy-duty specs of the engineering machines.
This laptop has slightly less memory, with 16GB of RAM, but it keeps the same great storage — 1TB SSD — perfect for saving games, photos, and endless college assignments. At 2.83 pounds it’s super lightweight, making it easy to carry around campus, and has long battery life — essential for marathon study sessions or all-day lectures.
Plus, it’s this year’s 2024 model, so it’s up-to-date and ready to handle college life.
Pro Tip: Grab two power cords for your college kids — one for their backpack and one for the dorm. Trust me, they'll thank you when their laptop stays charged all day in class!
ASUS Zenbook 2024 Laptop (currently $949; Amazon link)
2024 Model
16GB RAM / 1TB SSD
~14-in Full HD screen
~3 pounds (lightweight!)
Windows 11
Intel, 16 processors
Camera
Final Thoughts
Finding the right laptop is all about balance: getting enough power to do what you need now while making sure it can grow with you and still stay on budget. Whether you’re a small business owner, a die-hard Apple fan, or sending your kid off to college, these laptops will have you covered for years to come.
Need a customized recommendation? II'd love to help! I charge a flat rate ($150) to chat with you and get requirements and then do some research and send you a suggestion. Go to my Laptop Questionnaire to get started.
Affiliate Disclosure
Please note, the links in this article are affiliate links to Amazon. This means if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Rest assured, I only recommend products I truly believe in and support myself. Thanks for supporting Neat Freak Tech!
Opmerkingen